Senior Architect - Federal Projects

Moffatt & Nichol Engine

$100K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture (or related discipline) required
  • Master's degree in Architecture preferred
  • Registered Architecture (RA) license required
  • 15+ years of experience in facility design and construction, with at least 5 years in military or federal projects required
  • Familiarity with DoD design standards and MILCON processes required
  • Experience with shipyard designs strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in design and project management tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, MS Project, Adobe Creative Suites)

Responsibilities

  • Lead the planning, design, and construction of military facilities according to DoD standards
  • Collaborate with design studios across the company
  • Manage cross-functional teams, including architects, engineers, and government stakeholders
  • Oversee project lifecycle from concept to completion
  • Ensure compliance with federal regulations and environmental standards
  • Coordinate with clients to define operational requirements
  • Conduct site assessments and feasibility studies

Benefits

  • Low-cost employee healthcare with company-paid medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Generous HSA match for healthcare expenses
  • Wellness Program with financial incentives for health
  • Confidential Employee Assistance Programs for support
  • Generous paid time off (15 to 25 days based on experience) and holidays
  • 401(k) match for financial goals
  • Tuition Reimbursement Program for further education
  • Leadership Development Program and formal Mentoring program
Full Job Description
Moffatt & Nichol in collaboration with Waggonner & Ball, a Moffatt & Nichol Studio, are actively seeking a Senior Architect with 15+ years of experience to help expand our footprint into the Mid-Atlantic! This is an amazing opportunity with high visibility working directly with the client, subs and the overall Moffatt & Nichol and Waggonner & Ball team! As the successful new hire, you will lead our Federal architectural projects from our Norfolk (other office options include: Richmond, VA; Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; or Raleigh, NC) office. You will lead the design, development, and execution of large-scale military facilities as part of the US Navy's Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) and be an integral part to the growth of our Mid-Atlantic architectural team! For individuals working from offices other than Norfolk, you must be willing and available to be in Norfolk to attend client meetings and meet with local Moffatt & Nichol management about 1 week per month.

This position will contribute to Moffatt & Nichol's ongoing success by planning, executing, and managing projects ranging from $10 million to over $500 million in construction values. This role is critical in supporting the Navy's SIOP program to recapitalize and reconfigure infrastructure for improved industrial performance. Specific projects include administrative buildings, maintenance shops, training facilities, secure installations, utilities and support infrastructure. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in managing complex, secure, and compliance-driven projects within military or government environments. You will lead the development of integrated design proposals for both design-build and design-bid-build projects, oversee and manage comprehensive work plans, monitor project financials, and coordinate directly with clients. In this role, you will lead the design and the industrial building capability for Moffatt & Nichol on the East Coast! You will also guide team members and foster collaboration to ensure high-quality final deliverables.

Our community of architects, engineers, and designers create trusted solutions for defense infrastructure. We deliver resilient, secure, and high-performance facilities built to support modern military and shipyard operations. From piers and dry docks to utility systems and land-based industrial infrastructure, we design assets that perform under pressure. With a long history of support to the U.S. Navy, Army Corps of Engineers, and Coast Guard, we deliver infrastructure solutions that strengthen mission readiness and operational success.

Duties and responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
  • Lead the planning, design, and construction of military facilities in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) standards, Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS), and Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC)
  • Collaborate with our existing design studios located throughout the company
  • Manage cross-functional teams including architects, engineers, subconsultants, and government stakeholders
  • Oversee project lifecycle from concept development through design, construction, commissioning, and turnover
  • Ensure compliance with federal regulations, anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) requirements, and environmental standards
  • Coordinate with government clients to define operational requirements and integrate mission-critical systems
  • Oversee and review design documents, specifications, work plans, cost estimates and monitor project financials
  • Conduct site assessments and feasibility studies for new and existing installations
  • Implement quality assurance and control measures to ensure project integrity and performance
  • Lead risk assessments and mitigation planning for secure and mission-sensitive environments
  • Mentor junior staff and contribute to professional development within the team
  • Work with senior management to develop and grow our local architectural team
  • Performs other duties as requested by leadership

Other duties:

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture (or related discipline); required
  • Master's degree in Architecture; preferred
  • Registered Architecture (RA) license; required
  • Minimum of 15 years of experience in facility design and construction, with at least 5 years in military or federal projects; required
  • Familiarity with DoD design standards and MILCON processes; required
  • Experience with shipyard (industrial and training facility designs); strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in design and project management tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, MS Project, Adobe Creative Suites)
  • Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Travel requirements: For employees based outside the Norfolk office, you must be willing and able to travel to Norfolk (by car) approximately one week per month to attend client meetings and meet with local Moffatt & Nichol leadership
  • Due to client parameters, selected candidate must show (post offer) proof of U.S. citizenship and clear results of a thorough background check that may include but is not limited to credit and criminal history
  • All new hires will be required to successfully complete and pass a pre-employment (post offer) background check in compliance with NIST 800-171
  • Moffatt & Nichol uses E-Verify and employment is contingent upon the legal ability to obtain employment in the U.S. and to present the required documentation at hire

PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR PORTFOLIO WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

Working conditions:

Sedentary for prolonged period of time, interact with clients, and travel occasionally.

Moffatt & Nichol's Employment Benefits:

At Moffatt & Nichol, we genuinely care about our team and strive to create a warm, welcoming environment. We're excited to offer a range of great benefits and cover many costs to support you. Here are some highlights:
  • Enjoy low-cost employee healthcare with our company-paid high-deductible medical, dental, and vision plans
    • Family coverage is available
    • Low-deductible plan available
  • Generous HSA match to help manage healthcare expenses
  • Stay energized with our amazing Wellness Program (with financial incentives) to keep you healthy and fit
    • Features include: monthly one-on-one sessions with nutritionists, access to a Healthwise Pharmacist, mindfulness apps like The Calm and BetterHelp, and more
  • Free and confidential Employee Assistance Programs for counseling and support
  • Generous Paid time off (15 to 25 days based on experience level), Paid Holidays (7), and a floating holiday
  • 401(k) match to help you reach your financial goals
  • Excellent Life Insurance coverage, fully paid by the company
  • You may also have the option to further your education with our comprehensive Tuition Reimbursement Program
  • Plus, there are plenty of training opportunities, a Leadership Development Program, a formal Mentoring program, an active YP (Young Professionals) group, and so much more
  • And because we care about all members of your family, we offer Pet Insurance to look after your furry friends


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