Principal, Building Technology

The Principal role represents a senior leadership position responsible for driving technical excellence, business growth, and client relationships. This individual leads complex, high-risk projects, generates and sustains significant external work, mentors staff, and contributes meaningfully to the firm’s long-term strategy, reputation, and market presence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct complex, high-profile projects involving new design, as well as the evaluation, investigation, and repair of existing structures, serving as Principal-in-Charge where appropriate.

• Independently manage a significant project portfolio, exercising sound judgment in project selection, contracting, scope definition, risk management, billing oversight, and fee collection.

• Generate, execute, and sustain external work aligned with Principal-level expectations, demonstrating strong business development capability and market presence.

• Identify and develop new markets, clients, and practice areas that expand the firm’s technical expertise and strategic reach.

• Serve as a trusted advisor and primary client contact on major engagements, fostering long-term relationships aligned with professional standards.

• Provide senior technical leadership in the investigation and remediation of complex building envelope failures and performance issues.

• Oversee design and construction-phase services, including coordination with engineers, architects, contractors, and construction teams.

• Lead multidisciplinary teams across offices and practice areas, promoting collaboration and a unified, firm-wide mindset.

• Mentor and develop staff across reporting lines, providing meaningful feedback and supporting professional growth and advancement.

• Conduct peer reviews of plans, specifications, proposals, and technical deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and excellence.

• Support litigation, claims, and expert witness services by providing authoritative technical insight and professional judgment.

• Represent the firm through industry involvement, including publications, speaking engagements, professional societies, and committees.

• Actively promote the firm’s full range of services and leverage internal expertise to deliver comprehensive client solutions.

• Contribute to the firm’s long-term success through leadership initiatives and participation in ownership/shareholding programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Architectural Engineering with 20+ years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 15+ years of experience, in an A/E or construction environment.

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Registered Architect (R.A.) license required (Minnesota or ability to obtain).

• Proven experience leading complex projects independently, including serving as Principal-in-Charge or equivalent.

• Demonstrated success in business development, with a track record of generating and sustaining external client work.

• Established reputation as a trusted industry expert with strong client relationships.

• Strong business acumen, risk management capability, and strategic decision-making skills.

• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing teams across multiple offices or disciplines.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including leadership in technical documentation and proposals.

• Commitment to ethical practice, QA/QC standards, and maintaining professional reputation.

• Willingness to travel as required.

Compensation & Benefits

The firm offers a comprehensive Total Compensation package, including:

• Competitive base salary + pay for extra direct hours

• Annual discretionary bonus

• Profit sharing and 401(k) with company contribution

• Generous Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)

• Paid parental leave

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (with strong employer contribution)

• Short- and long-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance (company paid)

• Fertility and family-forming benefits

• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare & dependent care)

• Employee assistance and bereavement support programs

• Commuter benefits, supplemental insurance, legal & identity protection

• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support.