Senior Project Manager - Federal A/E

About the role

This is a strategic role for a licensed architect or engineer who brings strong project management discipline, client trust, and experience leading complex, multidisciplinary design projects. SMMA has a long history of designing secure, technically advanced, and mission-driven environments for government clients, including military training centers, workplaces, laboratories, and specialized facilities supporting research, education, innovation, and public service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary A/E teams through planning, design, documentation, construction administration, and project closeout
• Serve as a primary client-facing leader for federal, government, and public-sector projects
• Manage project scope, fee, schedule, staffing, budget, deliverables, and financial performance
• Cook up internal teams and external consultants to ensure alignment and successful delivery
• Develop project work plans, staffing strategies, and execution approaches
• Anticipate and manage project risks related to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations
• Guide teams through agency reviews, comment resolution, and milestone deliverables
• Present project updates and design solutions to clients, agencies, and stakeholders
• Contribute to client relationships, pursuits, proposals, interviews, and teaming discussions
• Mentor architects, engineers, and emerging professionals
• Support the continued development of SMMA’s federal delivery knowledge and best practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field
• Active professional licensure as a Registered Architect (RA) or Professional Engineer (PE)
• Approximately 10+ years of experience in the A/E industry
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multidisciplinary design projects
• Experience leading teams and coordinating across disciplines and stakeholders
• Strong understanding of project management fundamentals: scope, fee, schedule, staffing, budget, risk, and quality
• Experience with federal, public-sector, institutional, infrastructure, or similarly complex projects
• Strong written, verbal, and client-facing communication skills
• Ability to travel to project sites and client locations as needed

Preferred Experience

• Experience with federal agencies such as USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC, GSA, VA, National Guard, etc.
• Familiarity with Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and federal design standards
• Experience with IDIQ, MATOC, SATOC, or design-build delivery
• Experience supporting proposals, interviews, and pursuit strategy
• Familiarity with secure or clearance-sensitive project environments
• PMP, DBIA, LEED, CQM-C, or similar credentials