Architect

Architect

Job Description Summary: The Architect will plan, develop, design, and oversee projects in conformance with architectural professional standards, and company and contract requirements. This job often includes leading project teams, working directly with clients, and performing project management duties or working with PM if designated.

About Us: McKinley Architecture and Engineering (MKA) - a full-service architectural and engineering firm located in Wheeling, Charleston, and Martinsburg, WV and Pittsburgh, PA - has successfully served clients for over four decades. Through in-house collaboration of architects, engineers, and technicians we deliver exceptional service and results. We specialize in designing educational, commercial/retail, industrial, governmental, and institutional buildings. Our commitment to excellence, innovation and growth has earned us high rates of employee engagement and retention, as well as consecutive years of recognition by Inc. Magazine and industry leader PSMJ.

In early 2025 MKA transacted with MCF Architecture, the longest-running architectural firm in Western PA. MCF has expansive qualifications in healthcare, higher education, performing arts, civic, liturgical, and commercial spaces. The merger elevates the combined company to nearly 100 employees, creating a regional powerhouse and one of the top architectural and engineering firms in the U.S.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Protect the client and public's health, safety, and welfare by acting with reasonable care and competence applying technical knowledge and skill in accordance with the standard of care and practice law.
• Perform all duties in conformance with relevant codes and laws including working with relevant authorities having jurisdiction and coordinating their review submissions for work under their responsible control.
• Create project design concepts using computer-aided design software, and/or hand sketching.
• Develop, or work with PM if designated, to develop with clients' overall project goals and constraints, including client objectives, design criteria, project and design budgets and schedule requirements.
• Oversee and direct architectural team's daily project activities, status, and progress in all project phases in preparing technical drawings and specifications.
• Monitor, make adjustments, and confirm – or work with PM – to verify project is on schedule, is in alignment with the owner(s) and firm budget parameters.
• Exercise appropriate knowledge of engineering disciplines to evaluate and coordinate work done by our consultants and internal engineering team.
• Provide bidding and construction contract administration of architectural elements including requests for information, submittals, cost events, pay application and on-site observations in accordance with contract and standard of care, working with firm's construction administrators, engineers, and PM if designated.
• Assist with quality control activities for project.

Requirements:

• Professional degree in Architecture or other qualifications approved by state architectural board.
• Registered architect (WV preferred, state of residence minimum).
• NCARB Certification Preferred with willingness to pursue out-of-state registration(s) as required.
• 10+ years of experience performing as a registered architect preferred.
• Strong design skills and proficiency in Autodesk products and other computer-aided design software.
• Ability to understand, develop, and communicate design concepts quickly through verbal and written communication, hand sketches, and 3D models.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.