AEC Data Specialist

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 Responsibilities

You will be responsible for the development and maintenance of data-centric workflows and systems across our architecture and engineering digital ecosystem. This includes partnering with our Data & Analytics team on an integrated project data platform and the development of a usable, consistent data pipeline from SOM disciplines to the platform. You will also be responsible for creating and automating a mechanism for capturing the downstream design outputs, including models and analysis data, for further data insights and value propositions to SOM. This requires an understanding of the data formats for our various platforms, and then developing and implementing data interoperability and visualization solutions.

Design Technology

• Prototypes, develops, implements, and manages advanced BIM and computational design methods and tool development centered around the movement and visualization of data across our architecture and engineering digital ecosystem.

• Working with members of our Office of Technology and the Data & Analytics team, develop and implement systems that support automated data acquisition from design and engineering platforms into our data lakehouse. This includes creating, maintaining and enhancing data pipelines that gather and normalize data from various systems.

• Develop and champion workflows for design teams in providing the associated material/discipline/building functional equivalence characteristics to develop a strong building data schema.

• Collaborate with design teams in test-fitting proposed schemas, tools and workflows (via internal projects) within their existing design workflows.

• Work closely with stakeholders from various disciplines, business operations, technology and data teams and executive teams to integrate data strategy with product development and business strategy. This role will be responsible to work independently to manage projects and see them through to delivery.

• Maintain a strong understanding of AEC ecosystems to effectively tailor strategies that meet user needs and tracking current and emerging technologies as they may relate to our strategy.

• Define and track key metrics to assess the effectiveness of data strategies in achieving business goals.

• Drive cultural change to embrace data-driven and AI-enhanced design processes.

• Contributes to the research and development of best-practices and workflows related to data-centric design and engineering practices for firm-wide use.

• Develops content for training and communications of new tools, workflows, and content.

• Collaborates with the Office of Technology software development community to develop and implement software development best practices on all development efforts. This includes maintaining comprehensive documentation of software development assets and user workflows, CI/CD pipeline, and best practices around data security.

• Contributes to the development and advancement of innovative ideas/solutions to support BIM and/or Computation workflows with other Design Technology subject matter experts. Leadership Responsibilities

• Coordinates firm-wide technologies, workflows, standards and guidelines with fellow Design Technology Specialists on a consistent and regular basis.

• Demonstrates leadership in the research, evaluation, development, implementation and documentation of tools, processes and data management in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.

• Clear communication of plans and progress to leadership and wider practice as roadmaps are developed

• Develops and fosters culture of innovation and collaboration across all offices and all disciplines.

• Develops and implements strategies to position and maintain SOM as a leader in digital services and Project delivery.

• Participates in firm-wide Design Technology Leadership events.

• Provides leadership and direction to the project Design Technologists as well as Architects participating in design modeling and document production process.

• Assists in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm.

• Keeps informed of security risks in tools and processes through close collaboration with the Office of Technology.

• Contributes to the internal SOM community and occasional external activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in architecture, engineering, computer science, data science or other related field is required; Master’s Degree in architecture, engineering or other related field is preferred.

• Experience with data analysis, modern data science toolkits, constructing data models to support analytical outcomes, and utilizing data modeling techniques and data ontologies is beneficial

• Experience with a range of statistical, machine learning, and AI techniques and tools is highly beneficial

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and commitment to work within the integrated design team structure.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Google Suite, including Google Slides, Doc and Sheets is preferred.

• Ability to work on multiple projects and assignments firmwide.

• Strong experience in leading and executing projects

• Excellent team player

Are you ready to join a team of creative professionals working on transformational projects around the world? Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to build a better future with SOM. 

Our Benefits:

Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance

Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs

Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our approach to flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program

Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development 

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $120,000 to $140,000. 

Our Culture:

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world.

We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy as well as additional information such as a privacy notice for California residents and how to apply offline.

For more about SOM: www.som.co