Job Description
Job Title: Architectural Project Engineer
Location: Corporate
Department: Real Estate
FLSA: Exempt
Band: Specialist
Job Summary: The Architectural Project Engineer is responsible for overseeing all architectural and structural-related items to support the successful execution of the new store build plan. The Architectural Project Engineer acts as the subject matter expert supporting store design development and construction processes to ensure quality, consistency, cost control, and efficient project execution across new stores, remodels, and prototype projects. This role oversees vendor coordination, procurement, project support, and construction-related programs while helping improve store systems, materials, and operational standards. The position works closely with cross-functional teams including construction, facilities, sourcing, and operations to solve project issues, support rollouts, and maintain schedules and budgets. Serving as a technical subject matter expert, the role also helps drive continuous improvement, vendor performance, and best practices across all project locations.
Principal Duties:
- Create and manage the holistic process of architectural and structural items from design completion through execution to drive quality, evolve design, provide best value, and implement change for continual evolution of our store systems.
- Provide technical expertise and support for design of total building system performance at optimal efficiency for all projects: building prototypes, custom projects, and remodel projects.
- Oversee and manage architectural and structural vendors and consultants to support the new store build plan. Primary vendors include but are not limited to canopy steel, building steel, interior finishes, millwork, doors and hardware, food service equipment, interior signage, exterior signage, and glazing. Provide support as needed for all other architectural and structural related products and vendors.
- Lead recurring vendor coordination meetings to review project milestones, submittals, and RFIs, ensuring alignment and driving accountability across all stakeholders.
- Train, educate, and manage our vendor partners to ensure Wawa standards, policies, and procedures are followed during all phases of the design process.
- Develop new and maintain existing specifications and designs, in conjunction with Store Design and other Construction Services Specialists to value engineer initiatives while maintaining high quality standards and providing for product availability to support the overall build plan.
- Identify and integrate new construction materials and designs with an understanding of impact on cost, schedule, and quality to the overall program.
- Act as the subject matter expert supporting Store Design with the overall process for how a new design moves through the design process, from concept to ultimate roll out. Develop metrics and methodology for testing, analysis, refinement, selection, and specification for all new designs. Issue key communications necessary to roll out changes and lead training and education efforts to ensure proper execution in the field along with review of maintenance requirements for our Facilities partners. Solicit ongoing feedback post rollout and provide communication to the organization regarding results.
- Conduct at minimum annual in-person meetings with assigned vendors to review performance, strengthen relationships, and align on expectations.
- Execute procurement of architectural and structural materials, including scope verification, quantity takeoffs, and alignment with project budgets and schedules.
- Collaborate closely with counterparts to ensure alignment of design and program objectives.
- Maintain cost ownership for assigned architectural and structural vendors, ensuring adherence to contracted pricing and project budgets.
- Review and validate vendor quotes against contract terms, scope requirements, and negotiated rates, resolving any discrepancies in cost or scope.
- Provide detailed support and analysis for cost variances and change events, ensuring accurate documentation and financial control.
- Act as subject matter expert providing technical guidance for Strategic Sourcing and Enterprise Productivity in RFP processes including scope writing, bid leveling, vendor evaluation, and cost analysis to drive competitive and compliant pricing.
- Lead the onboarding, testing, implementation, and performance evaluation of new vendors.
- Support Store Design by performing plan reviews of drawings and specifications to ensure constructability and adherence to design intent.
- Act as the Wawa subject matter technical expert for architectural and structural elements, supporting preconstruction and construction and coordinating with design and architecture teams as needed.
- Identify, coordinate, and resolve field and design issues with vendors, design teams, and construction partners, minimizing impacts to project schedule and cost. Provide technical support to Construction Project Managers developing solutions based on capabilities to implement, cost, and schedule impacts.
- Support Project Managers through decision making and design resolution to ensure that project schedules are started on time and maintained without interruption.
- Evaluate the potential safety impact to General Contractors and Wawa associates when considering new materials or construction practices.
- Conduct in-person site visits to evaluate vendor performance, product quality, and adherence to construction documents. Provide documented feedback to stakeholders for continuous improvement.
- Develop and maintain strong vendor and stakeholder relationships to ensure effective communication, performance management, and issue escalation and resolution.
- Lead design and construction change processes, including scope evaluation, cost impact analysis, documentation, and tracking.
- Maintain and update vendor tracking logs through spreadsheets to ensure accurate reporting and alignment with the overall build plan.
- Support ongoing program execution by ensuring clear communication, issue resolution, and adherence to the build plan. Clearly communicate and escalate issues and resolutions to all stakeholders.
- Provide support to the remodel team and facilities relating to architectural and structural vendors and scope.
- Provide forecasting and recommendations for all vendor programs to anticipate and address all gaps and opportunities to support ongoing and new projects. Anticipate changes due to budget, permit status and weather and adjust schedules and needs accordingly.
- Develop and implement new vendor programs as needed, including defining scope, establishing performance standards, onboarding vendors, and integrating them into existing procurement and construction workflows.
- Provide cross-functional support for new programs and projects by coordinating with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Focus on collaboration and partnership across the organization by initiating opportunities to solicit and respond to the ongoing needs of our partners, via regularly scheduled meetings, project site visits, or through actual problem resolution needs
- Monitor and stay current on emerging industry trends, technologies, and best practices; evaluate, pilot, and implement new products, materials, and processes to drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with contract documents, project specifications, and established quality standards.
- Drive more efficient decision making by creating a benchmarking database across retail partners to identify “best in class” practices and make recommendations based on findings. Attend industry events to develop and maintain a network of retail partners for benchmarking and troubleshooting
- Create and maintain a vendor scorecard program.
- Participate in special projects as needed.
- Act as subject matter expert to represent the company and provide testimony before municipal plan reviewers and advisory boards and other formal/informal municipal groups as required.
Essential Functions:
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Analyze information and effectively propose solutions. Highly developed consultative, facilitation, project management and presentation skills. High degree of professionalism and confidentiality. Ability to effectively negotiate. Handle multiple priorities simultaneously. Work independently. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Ability to travel outside the office as needed to meet with vendors and visit projects
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree Preferred in the field(s) of Architecture or Construction/Engineering/Project Management with a focus on Architecture or Structural. Minimum 5 years of experience in either commercial construction project management or Architectural/Structural design preferred. Strong knowledge of Architectural/Structural design, current building codes, and construction methods. Strong spreadsheet and excel experience. Ability to interpret construction drawings.
Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at asc@wawa.com.
Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.
