Full-Time

Architectural Specifications Writer

Posted on 5/9/2026

Ghafari Associates

Ghafari Associates

501-1,000 employees

Compensation Overview

$80k - $95k/yr

Chicago, IL, USA

Hybrid

Category
Content & Writing (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management
  • Five or more years’ experience writing specification documents in architectural/engineering industry
  • Proficiency in Master Spec, Master Works, and Microsoft Office applications
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
Responsibilities
  • Work with project managers, architects and engineers to prepare specifications for schematic, design development and construction documents.
  • Educate less experienced staff throughout the course of the project on specification writing principles.
  • Seek out additional opportunities to learn about products and technologies and disseminate information to team members.
  • Update Ghafari master specifications as required.
  • Coordinate and expedite specification preparation among the disciplines; coordinate word processing support to produce final specification documents to meet project schedules.
  • Conduct technical investigation of products, materials and construction methods to edit project specifications.
  • Review selected submittals for conformance with contract documents, as requested by architects.
  • Ensure compliance with related codes and regulations imposed by governing authorities in collaboration with project architects and engineers.
  • Prepare written portion of addenda and bulletins relating to specifications.
  • Gather on-site data pertinent to the preparation of specifications.
  • Prepare contract conditions, general and bidding requirements as required.
  • Revise, maintain, and establish new standard specifications required for a given custom assignment.
  • Establish and update procedures related to the maintenance of job files.
  • Efficiently use client master specification editing software.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Registered Architect preferred
  • Active and participating CSI membership preferred
  • CDT, CCCA, and/or CCS accreditation preferred
  • BIM 360/ACC, Bluebeam, Spec Link Cloud, Visispecs and SpecsIntact proficiency preferred

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Dearborn, Michigan

Founded

1982

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Over 90% intern hiring rate builds robust domestic talent pipeline from Scholars Program.
  • Partnerships with Detroit Mercy and Notre Dame access emerging engineering talent.
  • Visa sponsorships for 6 F-1 and EB roles expand specialized international engineering hires.

What critics are saying

  • Declining visa activity forces domestic reliance amid H-1B policy shifts within 6-12 months.
  • Scholarship publicity confuses brand with unrelated Atefeh Ghafari in 12-18 months.
  • Talent hoarding invites poaching by SmithGroup and Gensler in 12-24 months.

What makes Ghafari Associates unique

  • Ghafari Scholars Program launched in 2023 offers scholarships and co-ops to Detroit Mercy engineering students.
  • Internal promotions like Barry from project architect in 2013 to architecture director foster leadership continuity.
  • Leadership holds roles like Honorary Consul of Slovenia and Fulbright Board for global credibility.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Accounts

Parental Leave

Paid Holidays

Hybrid Work Options

Remote Work Options

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Gym Membership

Phone/Internet Stipend

Home Office Stipend

Conference Attendance Budget

Professional Development Budget

Family Planning Benefits

Fertility Treatment Support

Stock Options

Company Equity

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Adoption Assistance

Employee Referral Bonus

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Certification Support

Education Allowance

Mentorship Program

Relocation Assistance

Employee Discounts

Meal Benefits

Commuter Benefits

Pet Insurance

Legal Services

Company News

Ghafari
Sep 2nd, 2025
Ghafari Honored as a "Best and Brightest Company to Work For" in Chicago, Detroit + West Michigan

Ghafari Associates, LLC is thrilled to announce that Ghafari has been named a "Best and Brightest Company to Work For" in Chicago, Metro Detroit, and West Michigan!

Ghafari
Jul 11th, 2025
Ghafari Celebrates Another Year as ENR's #1 U.S. Automotive Facilities Designer

Ghafari is thrilled to announce that Ghafari Associates, LLC has been named the #1 U.S. automotive facility designer for 2025 by Engineering News-Record!

Ghafari
Apr 28th, 2025
News | April 28, 2025

Ghafari Associates, LLC launched the Ghafari Scholars Program in 2023, which provides a scholarship and cooperative work experience to students enrolled at the University's College of Engineering & Science.

Ghafari
Nov 11th, 2024
More News + Insights

Ghafari Associates, LLC received the Elite Award for Communication and Shared Vision.

DBusiness Magazine
Jul 24th, 2024
Ghafari Promotes Barry and Pettit to Leaders of U.S. Architecture/Engineering Practice

Barry joined the Ghafari team in 2013 as a project architect, moving into the role of manager of architecture in 2018, and later, director of architecture at the firm's Dearborn headquarters.