Senior Architect

Overview

SSOE is seeking a Senior Architect to joinour Architecture team in Austin (TX). Imagine shaping the future of technology by contributing to the design and construction of the world's most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities for industry giants. At SSOE, you won't just be executing tasks; you'll continuously expand your expertise by confronting diverse and complex technical challenges unique to this cutting-edge sector, supported by access to advanced training and leading design tools. We foster your ambition with clear pathways for career progression, whether your aspiration is technical leadership, project management, or becoming a revered subject matter expert. All of this unfolds within a truly integrated, multidisciplinary team environment that champions knowledge sharing and innovation, backed by the stability and proven excellence of a well-established firm renowned for its high-tech facility design.

As a Senior Architect at SSOE, you will be a pivotal leader in shaping the architectural landscape of mission-critical facilities, directly impacting the future of technology. Your deep understanding of building codes, comprehensive code analysis, and oversee code conformance, will be crucial in ensuring the safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance of our innovative designs. You will thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your technical expertise and problem-solving skills will be highly valued. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on technically challenging projects, mentor developing architects, and directly influence the success of our leading semiconductor clients and our firm's growth in this dynamic sector.

Why Join SSOE and Elevate Your Career?

At SSOE, you'll work with amazing colleagues and be part of something big! We've consistently been named a “Great Place to Work” and are experiencing the most successful years in our history. Along with industry-leading salary compensation, you'll be eligible to purchase shares in the company — shares that have significantly outperformed both the S&P and Dow averages.

What We Offer:

• A hybrid or fully remote work schedule option for this role, providing you with the flexibility to achieve work-life balance while excelling in your career.
• Competitive Salary: $110k - $130k / year depending on location, education, experience, and certifications.
• Ownership Opportunities: As an employee-owned firm, we offer ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above. This senior associate-level role will allow you to become a shareholder of SSOE.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K retirement savings plan (with company matching), professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Additional Perks:

• Continuous Learning: Embrace a culture of perpetual learning where curiosity is celebrated, innovative ideas are welcomed, and your career growth aspirations are fully supported.
• Career Stability: A diversity of market sectors, project types, and geographic locations that help insulate your career from economic ups and downs.
• Career Advancement: Embark on a structured career journey with abundant opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Holistic Compensation: A holistic approach to compensation and benefits that supports your physical and mental health, encourages work-life balance, and empowers your career advancement and financial success.

SSOE – The Best of Both Worlds

At SSOE, our growth trajectory allows us to offer the opportunities normally associated with a large firm while embracing the collaborative and supportive culture often found in smaller firms. As a member of the SSOE team, you'll work on exciting and diverse projects for Fortune 100 clients around the globe, supported by the best technology for the task at hand. You'll experience our employee-centric culture that strives to offer a healthy balance, flexible working arrangements, direct access to leadership at all levels, and a continuous learning mindset. Once you experience the SSOE difference, you’ll understand the why behind our metrics:

• 28% - of our employees have been with SSOE for 10 years or more.
• 15% - percentage of employees with tenure exceeding 15 years.
• 99% - our CEO’s approval rating on Glassdoor.
• 98% - portion of our clients who say they would recommend us to a colleague.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the architectural design and planning process for complex semiconductor manufacturing facilities, cleanrooms, laboratories, and advanced industrial buildings, from conceptual design through construction documentation and administration.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight to the architectural team, ensuring the production of coordinated, high-quality construction documents that meet project requirements, industry standards, and client expectations.
• Guide the integration of architectural design with structural, mechanical, electrical, and process systems, ensuring seamless coordination and constructability.
• Conduct advanced and comprehensive code analysis for all project phases, including in-depth interpretation and application of the International Building Code (IBC), local amendments, fire codes (IFC), mechanical codes (IMC), plumbing codes (IPC), electrical codes (NEC), and applicable standards (e.g., SEMI, NFPA).
• Ensure code conformance throughout design and construction, proactively identifying potential compliance issues and developing effective, technically sound solutions.
• Apply expert knowledge of occupancy classifications, building height and area limitations, fire protection systems, egress strategies, fire-resistive construction, and accessibility (ADA) to complex industrial and cleanroom environments.
• Interpret building code intent in ambiguous or specialized scenarios, particularly for high-tech and hazardous occupancies, and provide authoritative guidance to internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Act as the primary architectural code expert, advising multidisciplinary teams and ensuring integrated, compliant design solutions across all disciplines.
• Lead peer reviews, quality assurance checks, and constructability reviews, with a focus on code compliance, technical detailing, and design integrity.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, and construction teams in integrated design-build environments, contributing to early-phase planning, design optimization, and schedule alignment.
• Develop and present design concepts, technical strategies, and compliance approaches to clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior architects and technical staff, fostering growth in code literacy, technical detailing, and industrial design best practices.
• Stay current with evolving codes, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., SEMI S2, S8, S14), and incorporate emerging technologies and best practices into project delivery.
• Conduct field verifications and site walks to assess existing conditions, monitor construction progress, and resolve design and code-related issues in real time.
• Provide expertise in the design and code compliance of Hazardous Production Materials (HPM) storage and handling areas, including familiarity with UFC, NFPA 400, and related standards.
• Lead the development of architectural standards, templates, and documentation protocols to improve efficiency and consistency across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• Active Registered Architect (RA) license in good standing within the U.S. (with ability to obtain reciprocity if required).
• 10+ years of architectural experience, with a strong focus on industrial, semiconductor, cleanroom, or high-tech manufacturing facilities.
• Proven leadership in managing and guiding design teams through all project phases, from concept to construction administration.
• Deep understanding of building systems and structures, with the ability to coordinate complex technical requirements across disciplines.
• Expertise in interpreting and applying IBC, IFC, IMC, IPC, NEC, and other relevant codes and standards to specialized industrial occupancies.
• Strong knowledge of cleanroom classifications, ISO standards, and contamination control principles.
• Demonstrated experience with HPM design and compliance, including integration of chemical storage and handling systems into architectural layouts.
• Proficiency in Revit and BIM workflows; working knowledge of AutoCAD, Navisworks, and other industry-standard tools is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts to clients, consultants, and team members.

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