Openings Specialist

About the Role

As an Openings Specialist at HGA, you will serve as the firm’s technical expert in the development and coordination of door hardware specifications across a diverse range of project types. You will prepare complex hardware specifications, maintain and enhance firmwide master guide specifications, and collaborate with project teams to assess life safety, functional performance, accessibility, and hardware design requirements. The Openings Specialist provides critical technical leadership throughout the design and construction process, ensuring quality, consistency, and accuracy in project documentation and specification development.

Responsibilities

• Project Delivery
  • Prepare door hardware specifications for complex projects, including larger projects with multiple phases and high-security applications, with an emphasis on quality design.
  • Maintain and refine the firm’s master guide door hardware specifications.
  • Review and coordinate hardware specifications with project drawings and design intent.
  • Review door hardware submittals during construction administration and coordinate revisions in specifications and architectural drawings.
• Technical Expertise
  • Conduct technical research to support criteria for functionality, life-safety, and hardware design.
  • Stay current with industry product literature, best practices, and innovative hardware technologies.
  • Apply applicable accessibility requirements, codes, life-safety standards, and state agency requirements, including California-specific requirements where applicable.
  • Provide technical guidance on hardware applications and project needs.
• Collaboration & Coordination
  • Coordinate closely with Project Specifiers and project teams.
  • Meet with clients and facilities managers to determine hardware requirements for their facilities.
  • Support communication across disciplines for openings requirements.
• Quality, Standards & Compliance
  • Ensure consistency and accuracy in hardware specifications and related documentation.
  • Apply firm and industry standards for openings design, life safety, and code compliance.
• Professional Growth
  • Expand knowledge of complex hardware systems and project-specific applications.
  • Support team members in understanding hardware requirements and workflows.

Requirements

• Technical or Bachelor’s degree in construction engineering, construction management, architecture, or similar.
• 3+ years of experience with a technical degree or 5+ years of experience in a door hardware consulting or related industry role.
• AHC or DHI certification preferred, but not required.
• Strong communication skills across clients, facilities staff, and internal teams.
• Advanced problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple, complex project scopes.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.

Skills & Technical Knowledge

• Microsoft Office
• VisiSpecs (preferred)
• Revit (preferred)
• Procore or other Construction Administration tool
• MasterFormat and CSI standards
• Life-safety codes related to openings
• California accessibility, building codes, life-safety, and state agency review knowledge (preferred)
• Industry product knowledge and innovation trends
• Experience across diverse project types

Benefits

• Annual bonus and success sharing bonus program
• 401(k) guaranteed contribution
• Paid parental leave
• Medical, dental, and life insurance plans
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Short- and long-term disability programs

Pay

Salary Range: $74,000 - $85,000 (Mid-West) and $88,000 - $93,300 (East or West Coast) depending on location, qualifications, and experience.

Locations

Minneapolis, MN; Milwaukee, WI; Boston, MA; Washington, DC; Santa Monica, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, or San Jose, CA.