Architectural Technician in Newtownabbey

Henderson Group are proud to be one of Northern Irelands leading employers. Our group encompasses Henderson Wholesale, Henderson Retail, Henderson Foodservice and Henderson Group Property. We employ over 5,000 colleagues and have been placed 3rd in Ulster Business Top 100 Companies 2025. Henderson Group Property are award-winning specialists in the acquisition and development of retail outlets and have a proven track record in developing state-of-the-art sites. The team are an in-house collective of design & project managers, quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, consultants, and technicians and are focused on delivering best in class, sustainable projects. We delivered over 300 projects over the past year, ranging in scale and complexity, and with values between £50k to £5m.

As we continue with our ambitious plans and capital project investments in excess of £40m this year, our team continues to grow.

A look into the role

Working as Architectural/CAD Technician, you will join an award-winning creative team of eight specialists, assisting in the delivery of schemes on and off site, as we continue to expand and invest in our multi million-pound programme of works. This position will be suited to a candidate who wants to establish and develop their Design career within one of Northern Irelands leading property developers.

As Architectural/CAD Technician, you will:

• Produce accurate architectural drawings (plans, elevations, sections, and details) using AutoCAD to support planning applications, building regulations submissions, and construction documentation.
• Assist in the preparation and coordination of planning applications, including supporting documents, statements, and drawings in line with local authority requirements.
• Work alongside other Team Members to provide sketch designs in support of the preparation of feasibility studies for new build and capital projects including major and minor works.
• Carry out site surveys and visits, gathering accurate data to inform design and drawing work, and monitor construction progress where necessary.
• Ensure compliance with UK Building Regulations, planning policy, and relevant technical standards in all drawing and documentation work.

Skills for Success

Joining us as Architectural/CAD Technician the minimum criteria you'll need is:

• A minimum of a Foundation Degree or higher in Architecture or a closely related field (e.g. Construction or Engineering).
• A minimum of 1 years professional experience working within an architectural practice or in house design team.
• Familiarity with UK Building Regulations, planning policy, and the planning application process.
• Demonstrable experience using AutoCAD to produce accurate, high-quality architectural drawings with precise measurements and technical detail.
• Proficiency using MS Office Packages.
• Full, current UK/EU Driving license, with access to own vehicle.

The skills and attributes you'll need include:

• Excellent communication skills that will allow you to relate to stakeholders and customers.
• Attention to detail: A sharp eye for detail, ensuring the accuracy and quality of your work.
• Sound technical background and the ability to think creatively.
• Problem-Solving: A knack for understanding, solving, and presenting solutions to Design and CAD-related challenges.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Excellent organisational abilities and capacity to manage workload effectively.
• Team Player: Strong teamwork skills, as you'll collaborate with other team members & stakeholders on various project.

It is desirable if you had:

• Experience working in a Construction related Design Team.
• Experience using SketchUp or Photoshop to support design.

Are we right for you?

Joining our team, it will be important that you feel aligned with the values that we live and work by:

• Ambition: We always strive to be better. We seek new challenges and look for ways to do things better.
• Customer First: We provide exceptional service. We put customers at the heart of everything and support our communities.
• Teamwork: We succeed together. We help colleagues to succeed, and we share our knowledge and skills.
• Integrity: We are fair, honest and ethical. We treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are inclusive and champion diversity.

The Reward

The impact you can make with Henderson Group goes far beyond your day to day. You will be part of a business that places our communities at the heart of what we do. Our business has been recognised externally for delivering excellence in employment- we value employee development and heavily invest in our people. Benefits include market competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, healthcare scheme, life assurance, employee assistance programme, social club, Offers/Discount scheme throughout UK/Ireland, staff discount (grocery/fuel) at SPAR/EUROSPAR Henderson Group company-owned stores and many more.

This is a full-time position working 36.5 hours per week. Working hours will be 8:45am-4:45pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am-3:45pm Friday. Hybrid working arrangement available.

Completed applications must be submitted online by midnight on 13th April 2026. We are an equal opportunities employer.