Architectural Group Leader - Federal & Pacific Markets

Industry

Cities & Places

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is seeking an Architectural Group Leader to lead and grow our architecture practice in Hawaii while supporting a diverse and evolving portfolio of projects across the state and the Pacific region. This role combines people leadership, technical excellence, and strategic collaboration within Jacobs' Federal practice-while also contributing architectural expertise in support of other Jacobs business lines, including rail and bus transit, sustainability initiatives, data centers, and other complex infrastructure, civic, and mission-driven facilities.

Based in Honolulu, you'll work on projects throughout Hawaii and across the Pacific, collaborate with colleagues nationwide, and help shape the next generation of architectural talent at Jacobs. This role reports to the Hawaii Federal Operations Director and plays a key role in advancing the continued growth and maturity of the architectural practice in the region.

The Architecture Group Lead for the Federal Practice in Honolulu provides strategic leadership, people development, and technical oversight for a team of architects delivering design solutions for new construction and renovation projects across a diverse range of non-federal and federal facility types-including administrative buildings, laboratories, military housing, aircraft hangars, vehicle maintenance facilities, aviation related structures, mission support buildings, and mission critical environments. This role enhances client confidence, advances design excellence, and ensures high quality delivery of complex, mission driven projects.

Blending architectural expertise with practice leadership, the role helps shape and grow the architectural practice by elevating technical rigor, strengthening culture, and supporting the development and engagement of its people. The Architecture Group Lead collaborates closely with other office Architecture Group Leads to align standards, share resources, and build a unified architectural community aligned with Jacobs' mission of Challenging Today, Reinventing Tomorrow and our Culture of Caring and BeyondZero principles.

A central responsibility of the Architecture Group Lead is driving innovation and promoting smarter, more efficient workflows in project delivery by championing digital tools, design technologies, and process improvements that elevate quality, reduce risk, and strengthen project performance.

Operationally, the Architecture Group Lead manages discipline budgets, forecasts staffing needs, ensures consistency across deliverables, and meets financial and billability targets while supporting both near term project execution and long-term practice growth.

What You'll Do:

Practice & People Leadership

• Promotes BeyondZero and actively fosters an incident and injury free culture.
• Assigns projects and provides day-to-day leadership of team members, ensuring accountability for delivery and performance.
• Optimizes financial utilization and balances team workload to support operational efficiency and profitability.
• Develops workforce plans in collaboration with key stakeholders; serves as hiring manager in alignment with staffing strategies and ensures seamless onboarding of new team members.
• Leads performance management and supports employee growth through regular feedback, coaching, and career development planning.
• Supports staff skill development, professional advancement, and opportunities for expanded responsibility.
• Mentors and develops team members to deliver strong individual and collective results.
• Coordinates across Regions, Business Units, and Lines of Business to ensure optimal resource management and to create opportunities for staff development and practice growth.
• Communicates effectively with team members through regular meetings, one on one discussions, and clear expectations.
• Approves timesheets and expenses for direct staff.
• Collaborates with Federal Architectural Group Leaders across the company to promote consistency in project delivery and technical standards.
• Provides leadership over all projects assigned to the group, including:

o Ensuring adherence to quality review processes.

o Leveraging team resources to meet quality, schedule, and billability goals.

o Estimating and executing project scope, schedule, and fee for architecture-led efforts.

o Developing staffing plans and supporting workload forecasting.

• Drives continuous improvement within Operations, identifying opportunities to enhance process efficiency and project outcomes.
• Supports business development and marketing efforts within the Federal practice area.

Project & Client Delivery

• Ensures projects are delivered on time, within construction budgets, and in accordance with agreed scopes.
• Leads the development of design documents for design bid build projects-including plans, specifications, and design analyses-as well as design build RFPs, feasibility studies, and other deliverables for large or complex Corporate and DoD projects.
• Provides overall direction to project teams, coordinating effectively with external stakeholders, internal disciplines, and subcontractors to meet milestone commitments.
• Ensures all project deliverables comply with the Scope of Work and meet client expectations.
• Serves as project lead, engaging with internal departments and partners across the project lifecycle.
• Evaluates project requirements and recommends design strategies that align with both client needs and project objectives.
• Develops and manages communication plans, ensuring timely and effective information exchange among project team members and clients.

Financial, Quality & Growth Responsibilities

• Prepares initial project fee proposals, coordinates with discipline Directors of Responsibility (DORs), and participates in fee negotiations as needed.
• Ensures adherence to Jacobs' Quality Program and drives continuous improvement in design and documentation quality.
• Monitors internal project costs, operational budgets, schedules, and staffing needs to ensure effective project execution.
• Supports construction phase services as required, including RFI responses, submittal reviews, construction modifications, and site assistance that is consistent with the project scope.

What Makes This Role Compelling

• Leadership with impact: Shape and lead a growing architectural practice in one of Jacobs' most strategically important and geographically unique regions.
• Diverse portfolio: Work across Federal, State, and local government projects while supporting transportation, sustainability, data center, and other infrastructure markets.
• Pacific-region exposure: Support projects throughout Hawaii and the broader Pacific; travel is typically around 10% but may vary based on project needs and individual preferences.
• Mentorship-focused: Build a legacy by developing junior- and mid-level designers and helping them grow technically and professionally.
• Endless opportunity: Access long-term career growth, leadership pathways, and collaboration across Jacobs' national and global platform.

#LI-IR1

Here's what you'll need

• Professional Degree in Architecture (Bachelor or Master of Architecture).
• Registered Architect (RA).
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience within an architectural or engineering organization, with demonstrated experience in Federal markets.
• Strong working knowledge of predesign and preconstruction processes, contract management, project delivery methods, building systems, technology, team leadership, and client relationship development.
• Ability to pass background screening per client needs.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Previous experience with Federal clients.
• Working knowledge of Revit.

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

140,000.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

200,000.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $140,000.00 to $200,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on April 30, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Locations

CityStateCountryHonoluluHawaiiUnited States