Architectural Building Envelope Consultant

Build a specialist career beyond the drawing set

A specialist building envelope consultancy is looking to add a technically minded architectural professional to its Austin team.

The firm offers an unusual combination: highly technical building enclosure work and strong projects within a close-knit environment that does not feel corporate. Team members work directly with experienced leadership, remain involved throughout the project lifecycle, and contribute across design, construction administration, technical review, and fieldwork rather than being confined to a narrow production role.

This is a building envelope consulting position for someone with an architectural foundation. It is not a conventional architectural design role with occasional exposure to enclosure systems.

You may already be a Registered Architect in Texas or be actively progressing toward registration. Deep building envelope experience is not essential, but a genuine interest in technical architecture, construction, building performance, and fieldwork is important.

The Role

The position combines technical production, third-party design review, construction administration, and field observations, with an approximate 50/50 balance between office and site work.

Initially, there will be a strong emphasis on supporting technical production, document development, design reviews, and active project delivery. The firm needs someone who can help move projects forward, prepare technical documentation, and progressively develop the confidence to handle defined project decisions independently.

As you become familiar with the firm's approach, you will take on greater responsibility for field observations, technical recommendations, client communication, and project management.

In the office, you will support building enclosure design, repair detailing, construction documents, third-party reviews, and project coordination using AutoCAD and Revit.

In the field, you will attend meetings, walk active jobsites, observe installation work, document conditions, and help assess whether exterior building systems are being constructed in accordance with the project requirements.

Fieldwork is a fundamental part of the position rather than an occasional requirement. Candidates should genuinely enjoy visiting projects, working with field teams, and seeing how technical details translate into construction.

The Project Work

You will work on technically demanding new-construction and existing-building projects, supporting assignments from initial design and document review through construction and field verification.

The work may involve:

• Exterior wall and cladding systems
• Air and weather barriers
• Windows, glazing, and perimeter flashing
• Roofing and waterproofing assemblies
• Transitions between enclosure systems
• New-construction quality assurance
• Existing-building evaluations
• Repair and rehabilitation design
• Water intrusion and performance-related issues
• Construction administration
• Third-party design and document review

A meaningful part of the position involves working alongside architectural practices as a specialist technical resource. You will help project teams evaluate enclosure details, identify continuity and constructability risks, address technical questions, and verify installation in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare technical drawings, repair details, and project documentation using AutoCAD and Revit
• Support building enclosure design and construction administration assignments
• Review architectural drawings, specifications, shop drawings, submittals, and product information
• Provide third-party technical input on exterior walls, roofing, waterproofing, windows, and related systems
• Identify potential continuity, constructability, and performance issues within enclosure details
• Assist with new-construction, repair, and rehabilitation projects
• Attend meetings with architects, owners, contractors, consultants, and project teams
• Conduct field observations on active construction sites
• Observe the installation of air barriers, flashing, windows, waterproofing, roofing, and exterior wall systems
• Document site conditions through photographs, field notes, and written reports
• Assist with RFIs, submittal reviews, and contractor questions
• Communicate technical observations clearly, practically, and respectfully
• Take on increasing responsibility for project coordination and client communication as your knowledge develops

Who Could Be a Good Fit?

This opportunity could suit someone currently working within a traditional architectural practice who has discovered that they are more interested in detailing, construction documents, specifications, construction administration, and technical problem-solving than purely conceptual design.

You may not previously have considered building envelope consulting as a career path. The firm is prepared to teach the specialist aspects of the position, provided you bring the right technical foundation, curiosity, and willingness to work in the field.

The preferred background includes:

• Degree in Architecture or a closely related discipline
• Registered Architect in Texas, or actively progressing toward registration
• Experience producing or reviewing construction documents
• Strong interest in technical detailing and building performance
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit
• Some exposure to construction administration or site observations
• Understanding of building materials and construction sequencing
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and product information
• Willingness to divide time between technical office work and active jobsites
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Genuine interest in developing a building enclosure specialism

Previous experience with roofing, waterproofing, façades, windows, air barriers, or enclosure consulting would be beneficial, but it is not required.

Training and Progression

Strong building envelope professionals are rarely found fully formed. The firm is prepared to invest in someone with the right architectural foundation, technical curiosity, and long-term motivation.

You will receive:

• Direct mentorship from experienced building enclosure professionals
• Structured exposure to design and field assignments
• Support while progressing toward architectural registration
• Access to relevant industry education and field-observation training
• Practical experience across new construction and existing buildings
• Increasing exposure to client communication and project coordination

Your development is expected to follow a practical path:

1. Learn the firm's technical standards and approach to enclosure consulting
2. Support technical production, document development, and third-party reviews
3. Build practical experience through field observations and construction administration
4. Lead defined technical tasks and site visits
5. Take ownership of smaller assignments
6. Progress into broader project and client management

The long-term opportunity is to become a Registered Architect, trusted building envelope consultant, and project manager with meaningful influence over clients, projects, and the continued growth of the practice.

Working Style and Culture

The environment is technically rigorous but personally relaxed. The firm undertakes the calibre of technical work associated with larger consultancies, but without the layers of hierarchy, narrow job descriptions, or heavily corporate atmosphere.

People work closely together, have direct access to experienced leadership, and contribute across both design and field assignments. This is a position where your work will be visible and your development will receive direct attention.

The firm values technical intelligence without ego. The right person will be comfortable identifying a problem, challenging a detail, or asking a difficult question while maintaining respectful relationships with architects, contractors, clients, and field teams.

They are looking for someone who is:

• Technically curious and eager to learn
• Approachable, practical, and collaborative
• Comfortable asking questions
• Respectful when working with contractors and field personnel
• Able to explain technical issues without talking down to others
• Confident enough to contribute, but open enough to continue developing
• Interested in making a meaningful, long-term contribution to the practice

Working Arrangement

This is primarily an office and field-based position.

The firm offers occasional flexibility to work from home when circumstances require it, but candidates should expect to spend most of their time collaborating with the Austin team or attending project sites.

In-person mentorship, practical fieldwork, project meetings, and close collaboration with the existing team are central to the opportunity.

Why Consider It?

• Work on highly technical and challenging building enclosure projects
• Join a specialist firm without the corporate feel of a larger consultancy
• Gain an approximate 50/50 balance between technical design and fieldwork
• Follow projects from drawings and details through real-world construction
• Work directly with architectural practices, owners, contractors, and project teams
• Receive direct access to experienced technical leadership
• Develop a specialist skill set that remains in short supply
• Receive support toward Texas architectural registration
• Build experience in third-party review, construction administration, and consulting
• Progress toward independent project management and client responsibility
• Make a visible contribution to the continued growth of the Austin team

The Bottom Line

This is an opportunity for an architectural professional who wants to become a genuine building envelope specialist.

You will initially help strengthen technical production and project delivery while learning directly from experienced consultants and gaining meaningful field exposure. As your knowledge develops, you will progress into leading observations, advising project teams, managing assignments, and becoming someone architects, contractors, and owners trust to solve complex enclosure problems.

It offers highly technical work, strong projects, and meaningful career development without the bureaucracy or corporate atmosphere of a much larger firm.