Staff Architect

“We create happiness.” That’s our motto at Disney Parks Experiences and Products. At Disney, you’ll help inspire magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create innovative built environments. You will collaborate to develop ideas/thoughts into physical reality! Architecture & Facilities Engineering (A&FE) is looking for a Staff Architect to support the development and sustainment of assets and projects we support throughout the Disneyland Resort. You will provide technical expertise, problem solving, and QA/QC for projects we support throughout the Disneyland Resort.  Our department supports a wide range of sustainment efforts and project types that include shops, attractions, hotels, entertainment, maintenance facilities, offices, and nearly any built facility and area development found on our property. Projects range from preliminary research, full facility assessments to minor renovations or new facilities. You will also support immediate response efforts. You will work in close collaboration with other engineering disciplines and multiple internal Disney project teams.As an Architect in A&FE, you will act as an Architectural Owner’s Representative for the Disneyland Resort on projects from concept through construction. While drawings are seldomly produced in house, the majority of our construction drawings are produced by external Architects/Engineers hired for their services. Our role is to provide design management of these outside resources ensuring projects are designed to Disney standards, fully coordinated with other disciplines, and compliant with codes. You will be leading the design team ensuring all project partners and stakeholders are updated on project developments.

You will report to the Sr. Manager – Architecture/Sustaining

What You Will Do

Architectural Sustaining Support (Primary Role)

• Provide Architectural support to the resort as a subject matter expert in the Architectural field
• Scope development of all IFP (Integrated Facility Planning) projects for current and future fiscal year project planning. Will include site walks, written scope development and justification, code research, production of plans and sketches
• Provide details to address repair solutions, material specifications, and issues
• Provide in depth egress and accessibility analysis for resort projects and buildings
• Provide answers to various building code questions and technical ADA questions for various proposed and current resort projects
• Provide technical support for Legal claims
• Provide continuous updates to the department for upcoming code changes and evaluation of impacts to project work
• Assist in the creation, maintenance, & update of Disney Standards and details
• Provide initial review for compliance of proposed space planning efforts/ tenant improvement support / and workspace options
• Provide plans, sketches, and details as requested by project partners
• Assist in development for all Back of House Planning efforts which will include the following:
  • Creation of facility assessments
  • Manage external consultants hired to create facility assessments
  • Provide concept design / options for development of proposed projects
  • Manage, update, and create all resort site plans and maps
  • Manage database for all modifications to Facility square footage
  • Provide due-diligence reports and code evaluation of all proposed off-site properties

Owners Rep

• Review project concepts with internal stakeholders and partners
• Determine team required to fully execute project
• Develop project scopes of work and create RFP’s (Request for Proposals) for external Architects/Engineers/Consultants
• Coordinate with Facility Assessment Management (FAM) partners to review scope, schedule and budgets
• Provide internal cost estimates for project support and review budget throughout the project schedule
• Manage the design and development of project construction drawings and specifications with internal and external resources
• During design, coordinate schedule, meeting agendas, meeting participants to drive results
• Lead design reviews and meetings throughout the design process
• Review drawings and specifications at each design milestone to comply with applicable codes, standards, and statutes.
• Ensure that the overall project design intent is achieved by successfully integrating facility design with partner design disciplines and components of the supporting development such as: infrastructure, area development, grading/drainage, area lighting, graphics, structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, showset, ride engineering, etc.
• Review for scope completeness based on project requirements with a focus on constructability, efficiency, and long-term maintainability
• Update stakeholders of all project developments throughout the project schedule (design and construction)
• Partner with internal teams to develop, maintain, communicate, and enforce Walt Disney Company design guidelines, standards, master specifications, and details
• Provide guidance and concise decision matrices to support executive decisions
• Leverage your technical expertise and lessons learned when reviewing all projects
• Liason with City officials and external agencies to ensure project scope and implementation is coordinated and compliant with external requirements
• Coordinate responses to city plan check comments and questions with the AOR/EOR
• Coordinate constructability issues with project partners
• Coordinate responses of all RFI’s and submittals with AOR/EOR
• Coordinate all internal team member feedback with the AOR/EOR/GC
• Provide punch walk feedback
• Gather all project documentation for closeout

Architect 

• Influence the Architectural direction of the Walt Disney Company
• Mentor architects and facility designers on career development, technical efforts, training and workflow.
• Develop varied facility design project work at all stages of assigned projects from concept, feasibility or schematic design through the preparation of construction documentation in accordance with established Disney quality standards
• Develop project concepts with internal stakeholders and partners
• Determine team required to fully execute project
• Develop project scopes of work for internal Architects/Engineers/Project Partners
• Resolve design issues creatively and thoroughly coordinating design with other disciplines
• Manage and execute the design and development of project construction drawings and specifications with internal resources as the Architect of Record
• Create drawings and specifications that comply with applicable codes, standards, and statutes.
• Coodinate all disciplines within each project
• Leverage your technical expertise and lessons learned when creating all projects
• Respond to city plan check comments and questions
• Respond to all RFI’s and submittals with AOR/EOR
• Provide punch walk list to the GC and FAM partners
• Prepare and gather all project documentation for closeout
• Work with stakeholders to provide architectural resources, both technical and aesthetic, to develop project scope including design, planning and code compliance for estimation and feasibility

What We Look For

• Professional design experience in a wide range of project types and construction types
• Demonstrate familiarity with all phases of design and construction practices and standards
• Construction Administration experience including site observation visits and review of RFIs and Submittals
• Direct experience in the preparation of architectural contract drawings and specifications
• Knowledge and experience with creating code analysis summaries including life safety plans
• Collaborate and endeavor in a team environment to guarantee a successful product.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite is required
• Extensive knowledge of the California Building Code, health codes, CalOSHA, and the American with Disabilities Act
• Experience developing custom details to support unique facility design conditions

Required Education

• Bachelor’s of Architecture or Master's of Architecture from an NAAB accredited school
• Minimum of 15 years professional experience working in Architecture
• Architectural License in the State of California is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master Planning Experience
• CASp Certification

The hiring range for this position in Anaheim, CA is $112,100.00-$150,200.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.