Engineer-Architect Specialist

Job Overview

Denver’s Community Planning and Development Department (CPD) is seeking a highly motivated and creative Engineer‑Architect Specialist to work on large, innovative, and complex projects with state‑of‑the‑art technology. The position is dedicated to projects for Denver International Airport (DEN), the third‑busiest airport in the United States and one of the top ten busiest airports in the world. This role offers autonomy and freedom in a low‑stress environment.

• Administer CPD’s review and permit‑issuance program for Denver International Airport.
• Perform specialized program supervision on some of the City’s most complex projects.
• Evaluate engineering methods, serve as the City’s technical expert on building‑ and life‑safety codes for DEN related projects and structures, and act as liaison to negotiate and resolve complex issues.
• Manage review and permit processes for specific program applications including partial scope permitting, expedited reviews, and engineering analyses of regulated facilities, systems, features and components, and coordinate with agencies outside of DEN.
• Define and apply performance‑based, facility‑wide life‑safety plans that meet modern codes, merge security protocols embedded in modern airports, and respect existing facility limitations.
• Enforce thorough reviews of architectural and/or engineering design documents for DEN to ensure compliance with design standards and approved criteria, enhancing maintainability and sustainability and enabling construction activities to proceed expeditiously.
• Coordinate with other city departments, counties/jurisdictions, and other relevant agencies/parties; act as subject‑matter expert for CPD on airport initiatives.
• Recommend alternative engineering applications based on changes in the field and investigate feasibility and cost of implementing updates to engineering/architectural methods and processes.
• Collaborate with technical and non‑technical teams to update policies and processes, looking at short, medium, and long‑term CCD and airport goals.
• Engage other departments, airport departments, airlines, tenants, employees, and stakeholders in refining scope of work throughout design and construction phases.

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in design management of building and/or civil engineering and a degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. Experience with in or for an airport facility is strongly desired.
• Experience interpreting, using, and applying the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, and NFPA standards.
• Professional knowledge of architecture and engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to supervise subordinate design management staff, advise management on design issues, and engage in design management activities.
• Two years of supervisory experience as a project engineer or design project manager (or equivalent) for public‑sector projects/programs.
• After onboarding, ability to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Collaborative and solution‑oriented approach to problem solving complex code‑compliance issues.
• Strong communication skills—oral and written; sound judgment; dependable and able to maintain confidentiality; excellent interpersonal and customer service skills; self‑motivated and team‑orientated.
• Strong research and analytical skills, especially in relation to construction, codes, and other standards and analysis tools.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, calculations, specifications, reports, and construction documents such as improvement surveys, site plans, and elevation drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and permit‑processing software such as Accela.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Architecture.
• Three years of experience at the type and level of a Senior Engineer or Senior Architect.
• No substitution of experience for education; added education may substitute experience requirements.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of application.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the Colorado State Board of…