Architect, Public Buildings

Your Opportunity

Join a Top 10 global design firm within our growing Architecture Practice. Our team leads complex architectural projects across Healthcare, Transit, Civic, Federal, Industrial, Aviation, and Education sectors — with a particular need for deep expertise in Defence and Security environments.

Stantec’s  Buildings Practice in Toronto and Vancouver, is actively seeking a Senior Architect with extensive experience delivering federal and defence-sector facilities, including projects for DND, RCMP, PSPC, and other high security governmental clients. This role is ideal for a technically strong, detail oriented architect who excels in regulated, mission critical environments and is experienced in navigating federal design standards, procurement processes, and security protocols. You will lead multidisciplinary teams through all project phases — from planning and concept development to contract documents, construction, and commissioning — ensuring compliance, quality, and alignment with federal client objectives.

Your Key Responsibilities

Architectural Leadership

• Lead design and technical development for federal and defence-sector building projects.
• Oversee the production of architectural drawings, specifications, and BIM deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal design standards, codes, guidelines, and security requirements.
• Provide architectural oversight during construction administration, ensuring design intent and performance criteria are maintained.
• Coordinate with engineering disciplines to deliver cohesive, technically rigorous solutions.

Project Delivery

• Guide projects through all phases: planning, design, procurement, construction, and close-out.
• Maintain schedules, budgets, quality metrics, and risk controls across multiple workstreams.
• Prepare federal submission packages, milestone deliverables, and documentation required by authorities having jurisdiction.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
• Act as a key liaison with DND, federal agencies, project authorities, user groups, and security representatives.
• Translate federal program requirements and performance standards into architectural solutions.
• Lead design presentations, working sessions, and technical reviews with high level stakeholders.

Types of Facilities You Will Lead

• Defence & Security Infrastructure
• Government Administrative Facilities
• Justice, Policing, and Public Safety Projects
• Specialized, mission critical and high security environments

Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify, track, and mitigate project risks throughout the lifecycle.
• Maintain an active Risk Register to document potential issues, impacts, and mitigation plans.
• Escalate risks appropriately and ensure all stakeholders are aligned on contingency strategies.

Leadership & Team Development

• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and collaboration.
• Mentor emerging architectural staff and support professional growth.
• Manage studio resources, workflows, and quality assurance procedures.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Significant portfolio of federal and DND facility projects, including secure environments.
• Strong understanding of federal procurement, PSPC standards, and Treasury Board design requirements.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams on complex, phased, or highly technical projects.
• Eligible for Secret Level Security Clearance or higher (or active clearance preferred).
• Exceptional communication skills, with a client focused and solution driven mindset.
• Strong presentation, documentation, and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to balance competing priorities across concurrent projects.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture; Master’s considered an asset.

Licensed Architect (OAA or AIBC) with 15+; years of architectural experience.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may require travel and include exposure to the elements including inclement weather. 

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice. Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best. 

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.