Structural Department Lead - Honolulu

Architect / Structural Engineer - Office Lead (Honolulu, HI)

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Position Type: Full-Time, Leadership

Overview

A well‑established multidisciplinary engineering and architecture firm is seeking an experienced Architect or Structural Engineer to lead its Honolulu office. This is a senior‑level role designed for a technical leader who thrives on business development, project management, team leadership, and client engagement. The ideal candidate will oversee project delivery across commercial, institutional, and government sectors while driving growth in the Hawaii market.

Key Responsibilities

Office Leadership & Operations

• Lead day-to-day operations of the Honolulu office, including staffing, resource planning, and performance oversight.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior and mid-level staff.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and high-performance culture.
• Oversee financial performance, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability of the office.

Project Management & Technical Excellence

• Serve as the technical lead on architectural or structural engineering projects across various sectors.
• Prepare, review, and approve design documentation, construction drawings, specifications, and reports.
• Ensure projects meet quality, safety, and compliance standards in accordance with local and federal building codes.
• Provide oversight through all project phases-conceptual design, schematics, design development, and construction administration.

Client & Business Development

• Act as the primary point of contact for major clients in Hawaii.
• Build and expand long-term relationships with developers, contractors, public agencies, and private clients.
• Lead proposal development, fee estimates, contracts, and presentations.
• Identify new market opportunities and develop strategies to grow the firm's presence in Hawaii.

Cross-Office Collaboration

• Coordinate with leadership teams across the company's mainland offices.
• Support multi-office project workflows and contribute to strategic planning initiatives.
• Share best practices and technical expertise across disciplines.

Required Qualifications

For Architects:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.
• Licensed Architect (U.S. jurisdiction required; Hawaii licensure preferred or ability to obtain).
• 8-15+ years of relevant architectural experience.
• Strong design, technical detailing, and project management background.

For Structural Engineers:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Licensed PE required; SE preferred (Hawaii licensure is an advantage).
• 8-15+ years of structural engineering experience across building types.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software and a deep understanding of building codes.

For All Candidates:

• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Demonstrated success in business development or client-facing roles.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Hawaii building codes, local permitting processes, and climate‑specific design considerations (preferred but not required).

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience leading an office, department, or regional team.
• Background in federal, DoD, or municipal projects.
• Experience with complex commercial, hospitality, or cultural projects common in Hawaii's built environment.
• Established network of industry contacts in the Pacific region.

What This Role Offers

• High-impact leadership role with autonomy to shape a growing office.
• Opportunity to build and expand a portfolio of landmark Hawaii projects.
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, and benefits.
• Clear pathway to executive leadership for candidates demonstrating strong performance.