Architect

NIKA is hiring for an Architect to provide Architectural counsel and advice on compliance and quality management to Facilities Enterprise in the design, alteration, and modernization of major building infrastructure structural systems. This position is based in our San Antonio, TX office.

Named a "Top Workplace" by the Washington Post, NIKA is a well-established company that is focused on growth within an entrepreneurial environment. We work with governments to operate and manage their real property. Our operations management, engineering, and project management services provide our customers with the value and expertise to ensure operational readiness for complex and mission-critical facilities.

At NIKA, you'll be excited to come to work each day. This position comes with a competitive salary package that includes health/dental insurance, 401(k), bonus programs, and many other perks.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Coordinates efforts among multiple Engineering disciplines ensuring products and project documentation are consistent across said disciplines.
• Perform design services by reviewing directives, standard drawings, site data, guide specifications, and other applicable criteria preparatory to the accomplishment of architectural studies, drawings, and design documentation.
• Prepare drawings, specifications, and supporting documents for advertised or negotiated procurements.
• Perform quality assurance review of drawings, specifications, calculations, cost estimates, and studies prepared by Architect/Engineer (A/E) design firms.
• Conduct field site visits to discuss project design parameters and investigate related construction problems for military and civil works projects.
• Communicate effectively in writing to prepare, present and evaluate plans, designs, construction submittals, reports and correspondences.
• Design of various building types: laboratory and medical facilities and multi-building repair facilities and similar structures.
• Coordinate complex technical features of assigned construction projects with various internal and external customers.
• Assignments include projects in different stages of completion, e.g., design phases, construction documents preparation, or construction; and encompass facilities at project sites with diverse climatic and geographic environmental conditions.
• Responds to RFIs, plan review comments, and construction submittals.
• Conduct site investigation field trips to project sites to collect all pertinent data and refine or develop project scope by inspection of existing conditions and through meetings with the sponsoring and using activities.
• Investigate or evaluate architectural issues and concerns in existing facilities and develop reports that include recommendations and options for remediation or corrective measures.
• Plan and lead project design conferences/work sessions and on-site design charrettes/Functional Analysis Concept Development (FACD) with stakeholders to determine project requirements and to develop concept designs.
• Research and implement government policies and procedures, UFCs, guidance documents, regulations, design guides, etc.
• Identify areas of risk associated with design and construction and develop mitigation strategies or alternatives.
• Performs functional testing and commissioning for government acceptance of envelope systems delivered through the point-by-point verification of design, installation, functionality and performance of existing and newly installed mechanical infrastructure equipment and systems.
• Evaluate proposed projects and technical solutions based on need, code compliance, effectiveness, and life cycle cost.
• Answer technical Requests for Information (RFIs) in accordance with codes, regulations, and DHA policy and procedures.
• Travel to sites to investigate open requirement packages and conduct detailed inspections of existing conditions of equipment, evaluate the effectiveness of current maintenance procedures, and confirm the use of correct operational practices.
• Provide a comprehensive and formal travel report detailing the observations, findings, and recommendations conveyed in a technical manner that remains consumable by a non-engineer.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture.
• Demonstrate minimum of five (5) years documented practical experience in healthcare field.
  • Practical experience is defined has having the direct responsibility for execution of design, installation, maintenance, repair and project management of building architecture and interior design supporting commercial, institutional, industrial, or medical healthcare buildings.
  • This practical experience must be recent, within the past six (6) months and span over the preceding three (3) out of four (4) years

Preferred Skills

• Knowledgeable of local, municipal, and federal building codes, criteria, and standards.
• Have strong interpersonal, communicative, diplomatic, and analytical skills to provide highly professional quality presentations to executive leadership and large audiences.
• Strong schematic design and design development experience.
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.
• Ability to lead and coordinate consultant teams.
• Ability to interact with owners and user groups.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• LEED Certification is desired.
• Hand sketch and communicate concepts and ideas to others effectively.
• Interpret sketches, drawings, building programs and other similar material.
• Credentials of Registered Roofing Observer (RRO), Registered Roofing Consultant (RRC), and/or Registered Building Envelope Consultant are all traits and experiences that are sought and preferred.
• Professional architectural registration.

NIKA provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, NIKA takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.