Architecture Principal, Transit and TOD - AECOM

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Title: Architecture Principal, Transit and TOD

Location: Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange or San Diego)

AECOM is seeking a Principal level Architect for our Transit and TOD Architecture practice. This practice leader will fold into our Buildings + Places team to drive the growth of professional services related to passenger stations, multi-modal transportation infrastructure, and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The ideal candidate will be an Architect with subject matter expertise in the planning, design, and delivery of innovative transit facilities served by rail, light rail, and bus rapid transit, as well as transit-oriented development land planning, equitable community development, and urban placemaking.

This leader will nurture a multi-disciplinary team of Architects, Engineers, Urban Strategists, Real-Estate Advisors, Economists, Social Scientists, and specialty sub-consultants across multiple offices, within a national and global community of experts committed to delivering efficient, equitable, and inspiring transportation facilities.

In this position, your role will be a ‘seller-doer’ responsible for executing professional project work, winning new work, cultivating client relationships, and growing AECOM’s portfolio of world-class transit systems, stations, infrastructure, and TOD. This position is supported by our regional operational and technical teams, reporting to the U.S. Regional Business Line Leader and collaborating with the Global Head of Stations and TOD.

About Us

AECOM Buildings + Places is a global, multi-disciplinary team of designers committed to connecting people and place. Our Transit practice is a collective of design professionals and strategists recognized internationally for technical expertise that empowers our clients to succeed. By thinking and acting globally, we bring value to transportation buildings and infrastructure by enhancing the passenger experience to make a better world. Our teams have been behind many of America’s signature transit and city-building accomplishments—including New York City’s World Trade Center Transportation Hub, Denver’s Union Station Neighborhood, and San Francisco’s Transbay Transit Center.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world.  

At AECOM, we believe infrastructure creates opportunity for everyone. Whether it’s improving a commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive.

Imagine working on rewarding projects within a diverse culture and having access to exceptional training and career development opportunities. Working at AECOM means being part of a global team, working with award-winning professionals across the world. Aspire to be a key player on some of the best projects regionally, with opportunities to work on projects nationally or internationally. Our people bring deep industry knowledge to help you succeed.

Core Responsibilities:

Design Leadership:

• Choreograph a multi-disciplinary practice of design, technical, management, business development, and marketing/communications professionals.
• Lead and inspire senior-level architects within the company as well as partner/sub-consulting design firms.
• Provide design creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in anticipating and solving routine and unusual problems, articulating objectives and requirements, organizing programs and project approaches, and developing standards and guidelines.
• Exemplify passion for design excellence, authenticity, and trustworthiness.

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue targeted growth opportunities within the TOD market sector.
• Lead pursuits and develop winning strategies for new projects.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with regional transit agencies, client agencies, organizations, and peer/partner companies.
• Execute professional project work while also driving business development efforts to grow AECOM’s portfolio.

Practice Building:

• Nurture a collaborative team environment, fostering innovation and excellence across all project phases.
• Provide thought leadership on key programs and global initiatives, setting the standard for design and technical quality.
• Mentor and develop the next generation of design and technical professionals within the team.
• Exhibit skill in persuasion and negotiation of critical issues, guiding projects to successful outcomes.

Minimum Requirements:

• BA/BS in Architecture plus 10 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education, including 2 years in a leadership role.
• Professional License as Architect (RA, AIA) or Planner (AICP).

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 years of experience in a leadership role with an Architecture, Engineering or consulting firm focused on Urban cities and transit-oriented projects.
• At least 5 years of recent experience as a proven rainmaker in the Design and Building industries, demonstrating exceptional work-winning capabilities and driving business growth as a key player in business development efforts.
• Strong relationships with regional transit agencies.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Strong vision, voice, and work samples that demonstrate design excellence.
• Design/Build experience, DBIA certification.
• Proficiency in software: Revit, Autocad, MS Excel, and Word.

• Relocation assistance is offered for candidates within the domestic US 
• Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity now or in the future

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absence, voluntary benefits, perks, U.S. and global well-being programs, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.