Job Description

Senior Architect

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they will receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

P&M Cincinnati Division:

The Cincinnati division serves clients across various markets, including Agricultural, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage, Chemical, Consumer Products, and Metals. Our multidisciplinary team delivers integrated solutions that address complex challenges while maintaining the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Job Summary:

The Senior Architect is a strong technical leader who elevates project outcomes through disciplined coordination, clear documentation, and mentorship. This role helps translate design intent into buildable, well-coordinated deliverables by anticipating risk, aligning consultants and internal teams, and driving quality and consistency—supporting successful results for clients and project teams.

Reporting Structure:

This position reports to the Director of Engineering and works closely with divisional leadership and other managers. The role includes direct management of technical team members. Direct reports can vary based on divisional structure.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Development

1. Listen to clients’ needs and independently deliver value by evaluating solutions against client goals.
2. Communicate design recommendations to clients, project teams, contractors, and vendors through presentations, meetings, email, and phone as needed.
3. Deliver timely services that meet client needs and support overall project schedule requirements.
4. Maintain relationships with existing clients so they consider the firm when future services are needed.
5. Collaborate across Salas O’Brien divisions to pursue project opportunities.
6. Partner with clients and contractors to identify and develop projects from initial opportunity through proposal, evaluation, installation, and measurement and verification.
7. Mentor team members to strengthen skills and build competencies within the group.
8. Lead project teams and technical staff to ensure work is accurate, coordinated, and aligned with quality assurance requirements.
9. Serve as a public ambassador for the firm.

Client Relationship Management

1. Manage and nurture existing client relationships to identify expansion opportunities
2. Ensure client satisfaction and retention through strong project execution
3. Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers across target clients and markets
4. Collaborate closely with Directors, Program Managers and Project Managers to shape pursuit strategies, and review client proposals

Cross-Functional Collaboration

1. Coordinate with project delivery teams to ensure a seamless transition from sales through execution and strong project performance across the Cincinnati division, the broader Business Unit, and other divisions
2. Support Project Managers and Discipline Leads to maintain effective checks and balances when estimating percent complete and determining earned revenue

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience

1. Minimum BS degree in Architecture required.
2. Licensed Architect required.
3. Demonstrated experience managing teams.
4. Minimum of 10 years of relevant design experience required.
5. Experience with site and facility master planning.
6. Experience with pharmaceutical and clean room design required.
7. Experience with advanced technology or life sciences projects required, including R&D labs, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food and nutrition, and/or consumer products.
8. Experience with industrial and manufacturing facility projects preferred.
9. LEED Accredited Professional credential preferred.
10. Experience serving as an Architect on Design–Build teams preferred.
11. Knowledge of cGMPs preferred.

Technical & Professional Skills

1. Advanced Revit proficiency required, including the ability to independently deliver defined drawing packages and teach best practices to others.
2. Advanced knowledge of production-ready visualization tools required, including SketchUp, Enscape, and Lumion.
3. LEED Accredited Professional credential preferred.
4. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Core Competencies

1. Relationship building and management
2. Cross-functional collaboration
3. Results-oriented mindset
4. Adaptability and resilience
5. Excellent communication and presentation skills
6. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Performance Metrics

1. Client retention driven by strong project execution
2. Team project delivery performance (quality, budget, and schedule)
3. Successful implementation of initiatives and best practices

Behaviors

• Customer Focus – Demonstrates an understanding of client needs in industrial environments and delivers technical solutions that emphasize safety, reliability, compliance, and long-term value.
• Passion for Growth – Continuously develops technical, industry, and consulting skills to support personal effectiveness and firm growth
• Leadership Impact – Influences project outcomes through sound engineering/technical judgment, professionalism, and accountability
• Communication – Clearly communicates technical information, project status, issues, recommendations, etc. to clients and internal stakeholders
• Ownership – Takes responsibility for quality, schedule, and deliverables within assigned work scope
• Act With Urgency – Demonstrates a proactive sense of urgency in addressing client needs, project issues, and commitments while maintaining safety and quality standards
• Teamwork – Works collaboratively across disciplines to deliver integrated and collaborative technical solutions
• Technical Excellence – Applies solid engineering /technical fundamentals, codes, standards, and best practices to projects
• Functional Excellence – Executes work processes efficiently using tools, systems, and methodologies

Location: Cincinnati

Travel: This position requires regular travel to client sites, industry conferences, and company meetings. Travel is estimated up to 25% of time

Compensation & Benefits

Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses, equity participation, and a comprehensive U.S.-based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Third-Party Agency Notice

Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.