At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural design for a major rail depot project, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Join a leading infrastructure firm shaping the future of UK transport.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a chance to influence innovative design solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on one of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects.
- Qualifications: Experienced Architect with a strong background in rail or complex infrastructure.
Are you an experienced Architect with a background delivering complex rail, infrastructure or major transport projects? Do you enjoy working within multidisciplinary engineering teams, challenging contractor designs and protecting design quality through delivery?
Location: Birmingham or London, hybrid working with 3 days per week in the office.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Architect to join the team responsible for a massive depot, one of the most significant operational facilities on the HS2 programme. This depot will be a large and highly complex site accommodating more than 30 trains, a major rolling stock maintenance depot and the National Control Centre responsible for controlling the wider operation. The site incorporates several significant buildings and structures, and the programme is now moving into an important contractor design phase.
As Senior Architect, you will effectively act as the Project Architect, embedded within a multidisciplinary team of engineers and specialists in Birmingham. You will work closely with the contractor to review, challenge and validate developing designs, ensuring they meet project requirements, relevant standards and the overall architectural vision established by HS2. The project is also undergoing significant design development following changes to operational requirements, including the need to accommodate a mixed fleet and 420-metre trains. This means new planning permissions will be required for material changes, creating an interesting opportunity to influence how the next stage of the design develops.
Essential requirements:
- Professional experience as an Architect within rail, major infrastructure or another highly complex multidisciplinary environment.
- Strong architectural design experience, including detailed design and experience relating to construction/site delivery.
- Experience reviewing, checking and validating designs produced by contractors or external design teams.
- Good understanding of UK and relevant European architectural, building and design standards, with the ability to identify and apply the appropriate standards.
- Experience working alongside multiple engineering and technical disciplines.
- Strong understanding of design quality and the ability to maintain architectural intent through detailed design and delivery.
- Ability to identify, assess and challenge design risks.
- Confident stakeholder management skills, with the ability to contribute effectively in multidisciplinary meetings and defend architectural and client requirements when necessary.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work with complex project and design information.
- A creative approach to architecture combined with an understanding of the practical requirements of major infrastructure delivery.
Nice to have:
- Previous rail project experience.
- Experience working on major UK infrastructure programmes.
- Experience within aviation or another complex transport infrastructure environment.
- Experience working client-side and reviewing contractor-led design.
- Experience of large depots, stations, operational facilities or complex industrial buildings.
- Knowledge of planning requirements and managing significant design changes following planning consent.
This is an excellent opportunity for an Architect who wants to work at the heart of one of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes. You will have the opportunity to influence the design of a complex operational facility as it moves through contractor design and towards delivery.
If you are interested in discussing the position and how your experience could fit the project, please get in touch to find out more.
Senior Architect Rail employer: Carrington West
Join a leading rail and civil engineering contractor that values your expertise and offers a supportive work environment. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to be mentored into the CRE C designation while enjoying competitive benefits such as hybrid working, private healthcare, and generous annual leave. Located in Kent or London, this role provides a unique chance to work on impactful projects across the region, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Architect Rail
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Carrington West who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Architect Rail
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Carrington West!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Carrington West. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Carrington West.
