Architectural Department Lead - Oaa Licensed Architect

Architectural Department Lead – OAA Licensed Architect

Richmond Hill, Ontario
Full-Time · Department: Architecture
Reports To: Founder / Principal EngineerAbout Q Engineering

Q Engineering is an Ontario-based multidisciplinary engineering and design consulting firm providing architectural design support, structural engineering, mechanical and plumbing design, civil/grading design, permitting, and professional consulting services.

Our portfolio includes residential and commercial developments, building renovations, industrial facilities, municipal projects, and infrastructure-related assignments.

As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding our architectural capabilities and seeking an experienced OAA Licensed Architect to lead our Architectural Department, manage our existing architectural team, strengthen our residential and commercial operations, and support our expansion into industrial, institutional, municipal, and infrastructure projects.

Role Overview

We are seeking a technically strong, commercially minded, and collaborative Architectural Department Lead who can take ownership of architectural operations while contributing to the company’s long-term growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for four key areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee architectural design for residential and commercial projects, including custom homes, additions, renovations, multi‑unit residential developments, commercial tenant improvements, changes of use, and building conversions.
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, permit packages, and design documentation for quality, accuracy, coordination, and compliance.
• Provide technical direction regarding the Ontario Building Code, zoning bylaws, accessibility, municipal requirements, and applicable architectural standards.
• Oversee architectural responses to municipal comments, permit revisions, and related technical coordination.
• Coordinate architectural requirements with structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, and other project disciplines.
• Provide professional architectural review, signing, and sealing where required and authorized under the applicable OAA framework.
• Support Project Management in meeting project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and client commitments.

2. Architectural Team Leadership & Quality Control

• Lead, supervise, and mentor Q Engineering’s existing architectural and interior design personnel.
• Review team assignments, technical capabilities, workload, project priorities, and deliverable quality.
• Establish and improve architectural design standards, drawing templates, quality‑control checklists, and documentation procedures.
• Provide technical guidance and constructive feedback to architectural designers and technologists.
• Coordinate with the Engineering & Design and Project Management teams to plan project hours, resources, deadlines, and responsibilities.
• Improve efficiency, consistency, accountability, and communication without unnecessarily disrupting established workflows.
• Identify training, staffing, and technology requirements as the department grows.
• Foster a respectful, collaborative, and results‑oriented team environment.
• Lead architectural components of industrial, institutional, municipal, and infrastructure‑related projects.
• Support architectural design and coordination for industrial buildings, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, municipal facilities, community centres, recreational facilities, and infrastructure support buildings.
• Work closely with Q Engineering’s Infrastructure, Engineering, and Procurement & Proposal teams on multidisciplinary opportunities.
• Review RFQs and RFPs and prepare architectural scopes, methodologies, technical submissions, work plans, schedules, and fee estimates.
• Participate in client meetings, proposal presentations, interviews, and technical discussions when required.
• Support the development of architectural qualifications, project experience, and capabilities necessary to pursue larger public‑sector and industrial assignments.
• Help position Q Engineering to undertake more comprehensive architectural and engineering consulting assignments, including Prime Consultant opportunities where appropriately qualified.

4. Business Development & Department Growth

• Work closely with Q Engineering’s Business Development, Marketing, and Procurement & Proposal teams to identify and secure new architectural opportunities.
• Develop relationships with developers, industrial property owners, contractors, commercial clients, municipal organizations, and other potential partners.
• Contribute to business development strategies targeting industrial, commercial, institutional, and infrastructure markets.
• Participate in client development, technical presentations, proposal preparation, fee negotiations, and project acquisition.
• Leverage existing professional relationships and Q Engineering’s multidisciplinary capabilities to generate new business.
• Develop an architectural project pipeline and contribute to measurable annual business development objectives.
• Help establish a financially sustainable Architectural Department with opportunities for long‑term expansion.

OAA Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain active membership and good standing with the Ontario Association of Architects.
• Support the establishment and ongoing compliance of Q Engineering’s architectural practice with applicable OAA requirements, including the appropriate Certificate of Practice arrangements.
• Exercise appropriate professional judgment, oversight, and independence in architectural matters.
• Establish appropriate procedures for architectural review, document control, professional responsibility, signing, and sealing.
• Coordinate professional liability insurance requirements and architectural practice procedures with company management.

Required Qualifications

• Licensed Architect in good standing with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) — mandatory.
• Degree in Architecture from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant architectural experience, including substantial experience delivering projects in Ontario.
• Demonstrated experience managing architectural projects and supervising architectural designers or technologists.
• Strong experience with residential and commercial design, Ontario Building Code compliance, zoning, municipal approvals, and permit processes.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering and architectural teams.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit, with the ability to review and improve architectural production workflows.
• Strong technical review, quality‑control, project coordination, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaborative leadership skills.
• Ability to balance professional responsibility, project delivery, team development, and commercial objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in industrial, institutional, municipal, or infrastructure‑related building projects.
• Experience preparing or contributing to public‑sector RFQs/RFPs and multidisciplinary consulting proposals.
• Established professional relationships with developers, contractors, industrial clients, or institutional organizations.
• Demonstrated involvement in business development, client acquisition, or architectural practice growth.
• Experience with construction administration, tender documentation, contract administration, and site reviews.
• Experience establishing or improving architectural departments, workflows, standards, and internal procedures.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead and develop an Architectural Department within a growing multidisciplinary engineering consulting firm.
• An existing architectural design team and established residential and commercial project portfolio.
• Access to Q Engineering’s structural, mechanical, civil, infrastructure, project management, procurement, and business development capabilities.
• Opportunity to participate in larger industrial, institutional, municipal, and infrastructure projects.
• Competitive compensation based on qualifications, experience, and responsibilities.
• Performance‑based compensation and business development incentives, subject to agreement.
• Long‑term professional growth and leadership opportunities.

Q Engineering is committed to providing an inclusive and respectful workplace and welcomes applications from qualified candidates.

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