Principal Architect - Industrial

Job description

Principal Architect - Industrial

Create the Industrial Environments of Tomorrow

With a strong and growing pipeline of industrial and manufacturing projects, we have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Architect to join our expanding Architecture team. Our work includes advanced manufacturing facilities, data centres, logistics and distribution centres, warehouses, process buildings, production environments and wider operational estates.

This is an opportunity to influence complex, high-value projects that support the future of industry across the UK and internationally. If you are passionate about high-quality design, technical excellence and creating efficient, resilient and sustainable industrial environments, this role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact while contributing to the continued growth of our architectural capability.

Purpose and Scope of the Role

As a Principal Architect, you will provide architectural leadership across a range of industrial projects, supporting delivery from early concept and feasibility through to technical design and construction. You will lead design direction, oversee project teams and act as a key point of contact for clients, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Your work will encompass manufacturing facilities, data centres, logistics and distribution centres, warehouses, process buildings, production environments and wider industrial estates. You will develop design strategies, lead design reviews, ensure compliance with statutory and technical requirements, and guide the preparation of coordinated information across all relevant RIBA stages.

You will contribute to the preparation of proposals, fee submissions, project methodologies and design programmes. You will also support the development of client relationships, identify opportunities for further work and help strengthen our market position across the industrial sector.

Your Impact in this Position

Your leadership will directly influence the quality, functionality, efficiency and long-term value of major industrial projects. In the early stages, you will focus on understanding client objectives, establishing clear design strategies and ensuring that project teams are aligned around deliverable, buildable and commercially viable solutions.

As projects progress, you will provide design oversight, support technical coordination and ensure that architectural outputs meet the required standards for quality, compliance and performance. You will balance design ambition with operational requirements, programme constraints, cost considerations and project risk.

Over time, you will take on increased responsibility for project portfolios, mentor and develop emerging talent, and contribute to the strategic development of our architectural capability. Your success will be judged on the strength of your design leadership, the quality of your client relationships, the consistency of your project delivery and your ability to support sustainable business growth.

Core Capabilities

Technical Expertise in Industrial Architecture

You will bring significant post-qualification experience and a strong understanding of the technical, operational and regulatory demands of industrial and manufacturing projects. Experience across advanced manufacturing, logistics, distribution, process buildings, data centres, energy or similarly complex sectors will be highly valuable.

You will be highly proficient in Revit and BIM-led workflows, with the ability to lead design development and coordinate architectural information from concept through to construction. You will understand how to establish effective project information standards and ensure that models, drawings, schedules and specifications are developed in a consistent and coordinated manner.

A sound working knowledge of UK Building Regulations, construction standards, technical detailing and the practical requirements of complex operational environments will be essential. You will be confident making informed design decisions that support safety, buildability, maintainability, sustainability and long-term operational performance.

Project Delivery and Multi-Disciplinary Coordination

You will be adept at planning workloads, managing design teams and coordinating inputs from multiple technical disciplines. You will provide clear direction to project teams and ensure that design outputs are compliant, technically robust and suitable for client, planning, technical or construction review.

You will work closely with structural, civil, MEP, process, fire, specialist equipment and other engineering teams to develop integrated design solutions. You will lead design reviews, manage technical risks, resolve coordination issues and ensure that project information is delivered in line with agreed scope, programme and quality requirements.

You will contribute to fee proposals, programme planning, resource forecasting and commercial discussions. Your experience will enable you to provide effective support to project directors and ensure the successful and timely delivery of major commissions.

Communication and Client Engagement

Your communication style will be clear, confident and engaging. You will lead discussions with clients and stakeholders, represent the practice at meetings and workshops, and communicate design intent through presentations, reports and well-structured technical documentation.

You will build strong relationships with clients, end users, contractors, consultants and internal teams, positioning yourself as a trusted and reliable architectural lead. You will be comfortable understanding complex operational requirements, challenging assumptions constructively and presenting practical solutions that respond to client objectives.

You will also support the development of junior and mid-level colleagues by sharing knowledge, providing guidance and promoting a collaborative and inclusive team environment.

Innovation and Sustainable Design Leadership

You will champion sustainable, low-carbon and future-ready design approaches across industrial and manufacturing projects. You will understand the importance of creating adaptable buildings that can respond to changing operational requirements, technological developments and evolving business needs.

You will support the adoption of digital innovation, modern methods of construction, automation and efficient design workflows. You will encourage new ideas while ensuring that innovation is balanced with technical reliability, operational practicality and commercial value.

Your leadership will help project teams deliver industrial environments that are safe, efficient, resilient, maintainable and capable of supporting long-term business performance.

Commercial Awareness and Client Focus

You will understand the financial, programme and operational aspects of project delivery, ensuring that risks, constraints and opportunities are identified early and managed appropriately. You will be confident contributing to project strategies that align design quality with budget, programme and client priorities.

You will support work-winning activities by contributing to tender documentation, fee proposals, project methodologies and compelling design narratives. You will help identify opportunities to develop existing client relationships and support the continued growth of our industrial-sector offering.

Your approach will reflect a strong understanding of the commercial context in which industrial projects are delivered, while maintaining a clear focus on technical excellence, client satisfaction and long-term value.

Mandatory Requirements

You will be an ARB-registered Architect with substantial post-qualification experience and a proven track record of delivering complex architectural projects. Chartered status is desirable.

You will be highly proficient in Revit and experienced in leading BIM-enabled project delivery. You will be comfortable managing competing deadlines, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and providing clear design direction across all relevant project stages.

You will have a strong understanding of UK Building Regulations, construction standards, design risk management and the requirements of complex industrial or operational environments. Experience working with clients, contractors, specialist consultants and end users will be essential.

A full UK driving licence would be beneficial due to the potential for site-based work and travel to project locations.

Desirable Experience

Experience working on advanced manufacturing facilities, logistics and distribution centres, warehouses, process buildings, laboratories, data centres, energy facilities or wider industrial estates will be highly advantageous.

Knowledge of the Building Safety Act and its implications for design responsibility, compliance and project information will strengthen your ability to operate confidently within regulated project environments. Experience with technical assurance, design governance, construction-stage support and contractor engagement would also be beneficial.

Additional experience in sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, aviation, rail or other technically complex environments will be welcomed, particularly where it demonstrates the ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams and deliver high-quality architectural solutions.

Why join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients' most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

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Why join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients' most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.