Principal Architect in Birmingham

Principal Architect in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
SYSTRA UK & Ireland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative architectural projects in transport and infrastructure, from concept to completion.
  • Company: Join SYSTRA, a global leader in sustainable transport solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on collaboration and creativity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on major international projects that shape cities and communities.
  • Qualifications: Chartered Architect with experience in complex infrastructure design and BIM modelling.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs.

With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

Context

SYSTRA are immediately hiring for a Principal Architect, based in our London, Birmingham or Reading offices.

Following the successful award of multiple landmark international projects, this is an exciting time to join SYSTRA’s Architecture Team as we continue to develop and raise our profile in the UK & Ireland and across our global business regions.

With a focus on delivering across the Built Environment specifically in Rail Sector (Stations and Depots), Airport Sector, Energy Sectors & Masterplanning the RIBA Chartered Practice within SYSTRA benefits from being an integral discipline to this world leading multi-disciplinary design consultancy.

Duties

  • Provide strong, proactive project leadership.
  • Responsible and accountable for the production of designs and all associated deliverables (drawings, reports, schedules and calculations).
  • Take responsibility for allocated tasks and coordinate supporting staff as required.
  • Direct and manage in-house architectural designers/technicians, other design disciplines and Architectural Partners to both client and business requirements.
  • Liaise with both architecture and wider multi-discipline colleagues to produce organised, collaborative built‑environment design solutions.
  • Manage design input from Architectural partners and Sub‑contractors/consultants.
  • Responsible for taking projects from conception to completion and will cover preparation of feasibility studies, development of outline designs, detailed design and site support.
  • Assist in managing resources to achieve the agreed targets regarding the effective delivery of projects to current engineering and safety standards, within agreed timescales and budgets.
  • Provide technical assistance to site‑based personnel.
  • Review tender opportunities with view to bidding, preparation of deliverables, cost estimates, programme and multi‑disciplinary collaboration requirements.
  • Profile / Skills
  • Chartered Architect (ARB & RIBA Registered) with significant subsequent experience and an excellent understanding of the creative design process throughout the RIBA work stages.
  • Proven experience in production of design deliverables for complex Infrastructure projects, ideally in Transportation.
  • Detailed understanding of BIM modelling principles as an Experienced / Accredited user in Autodesk Revit as a minimum.
  • Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop / In Design to produce quality graphical presentations.
  • Excellent report and case study writing skills.
  • Expected to have general skills in Microsoft Office suite of software packages.
  • Robust knowledge of design and construction principles and standards.
  • Proactive solution oriented approach.
  • Be able to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
  • Motivated team player who works well under pressure and engages with colleagues.

Desirable Skills & Experience (not Essential)

  • Knowledge and experience of working on international design projects, particularly the Middle East.
  • Experience in the use of Bentley software (AECOsim). Experience of using common data environments (CDE) for Design Consultant/Contractor/Client file sharing.
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SYSTRA UK & Ireland

Contact Details:

SYSTRA UK & Ireland Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Architect in Birmingham

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 SYSTRA UK & Ireland 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 Principal Architect in Birmingham

Project Leadership
Design Production
Coordination of Architectural Designers
Collaboration with Multi-Discipline Teams
Feasibility Studies
Detailed Design Development
Site Support

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 SYSTRA UK & Ireland!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to SYSTRA UK & Ireland. 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 SYSTRA UK & Ireland

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 SYSTRA UK & Ireland.