Technical Architect, Sports Design

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.

Success at SOM Means

• Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.

• Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.

• Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.

• Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.

• Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.

• Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.
   

Position Summary

The Technical Architect, Sports Design is responsible for the technical leadership, innovation, integration, documentation, and execution of complex sports and entertainment projects, including stadiums, arenas, and training facilities. This position serves as a day-to-day technical leader across project phases, from Concept Design through Construction Administration, and leads code review, material and systems research, specifications coordination, and construction documentation.

This role is also a firmwide subject matter expert in the technical execution of sports venues and facilities. The individual is expected to bring deep technical knowledge of venue typologies, fan and athlete experience requirements, operational demands, premium and back-of-house planning, broadcast and event infrastructure, crowd movement, life safety, and long-span building systems. The role actively scans the market for relevant innovations, emerging technologies, delivery approaches, and operational best practices that can strengthen SOM’s design and technical leadership in the sports sector.

Success in this role means the individual becomes one of SOM’s trusted technical leaders for sports and entertainment work. They elevate the technical quality, innovation, and delivery confidence of stadiums, arenas, and training facilities; strengthen the firm’s internal knowledge base in the sector; and contribute meaningfully to market positioning and pursuit success by serving as a visible, credible SME on sports venues and facilities.

Position Responsibilities

• Establishes the technical resolution and innovation strategy for sports and entertainment projects through all phases, consistent with project scope, schedule, budget, and SOM quality standards.

• Integrates criteria and input from architecture, structures, MEP, acoustics, AV/IT, security, vertical transportation, code, landscape, and other disciplines into coordinated design solutions for stadiums, arenas, and training facilities.

• Establishes, communicates, and maintains standards of quality for technical documentation across the full internal and external project team, and oversees implementation of the Quality Management System for assigned projects.

• Leads or oversees the research, review, and analysis of applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, life safety criteria, crowd egress, occupancy classifications, event operations requirements, and jurisdictional approvals, providing parameters and restrictions early in the design process.

• Oversees team selection and assessment of construction systems, enclosure strategies, seating bowl integration, long-span structural coordination, premium and hospitality fit-out requirements, and high-performance venue components appropriate to sports facility delivery.

• Oversees and/or leads design and construction documentation, including drawings, details, specifications, technical narratives, and presentation materials, ensuring consistency with firm standards for publication and presentation o