Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Secure Spaces Architect 

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global leader in infrastructure and environmental solutions, known for delivering complex, high-stakes projects that shape sustainable communities. Working here means joining a team of experts who prioritize innovation, technical excellence, and security in every project, from urban transit systems to secure federal facilities.

About This Role

As a Senior Secure Spaces Architect, you will lead the design of classified environments like SCIFs and SAPFs, ensuring they meet stringent government standards. Your work directly supports national security missions by creating functional, threat-resilient spaces that enable critical operations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a design review meeting with federal stakeholders to align on mission needs and threat profiles. You'd then work with your team to refine floor plans and secure adjacencies, followed by reviewing a CSP draft. Afternoon could involve mentoring a junior architect on ICD-705 compliance or preparing accreditation documentation for an upcoming submission.

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🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • A licensed architect with 10+ years of experience, specializing in secure facility design for federal clients.
  • Deep expertise in ICD-705, UFC 4-010-05, and accreditation processes, with a proven track record of leading projects through approval.
  • Skilled in translating mission needs and threat profiles into compliant, efficient layouts and secure adjacencies.
  • A mentor who fosters technical growth in junior staff and thrives in collaborative, high-stakes environments.

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Highlight specific secure facility projects you've led, including the standards applied (e.g., ICD-705, UFC) and the accreditation outcome.

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize experience with Construction Surveillance Plans (CSPs) and secure design reviews, as these are explicitly mentioned.

3

Showcase your ability to work with senior Federal stakeholders by detailing past collaborations with agencies like DoD or intelligence communities.

4

Include examples of how you've mentored junior architects in secure design principles—this is key to AECOM's culture of technical excellence.

5

Quantify the scale and complexity of your secure projects (e.g., square footage, security level, budget) to demonstrate leadership in large efforts.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your deep technical command of ICD-705, UFCs, and agency-specific standards, and how you've applied them to real-world secure facilities.", 'Describe your experience leading complex architectural efforts with senior Federal stakeholders, highlighting successful project delivery.', "Mention your commitment to mentoring and building a collaborative team culture, aligning with AECOM's emphasis on technical excellence.", 'Express your passion for contributing to national security through innovative, risk-driven design that balances security and functionality.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AECOM's recent secure facility projects and case studies, especially those for federal clients, to understand their approach and scale.
  • → Research AECOM's commitment to sustainability and how it might intersect with secure design (e.g., energy-efficient SCIFs).
  • → Look into AECOM's global presence and how the Secure Spaces Architect role fits into their broader Federal & National Security practice.
  • → Familiarize yourself with AECOM's culture and values, particularly around technical excellence and collaboration, to align your responses.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would design a SCIF to comply with ICD-705 while optimizing workflow for a specific mission scenario.
2 Describe a time you had to resolve a conflict between security requirements and functional needs in a facility design.
3 How do you stay current with evolving secure facility standards, and how have you adapted designs to new regulations?
4 Can you explain your process for developing a Construction Surveillance Plan (CSP) and coordinating with security teams?
5 Tell us about a project where you mentored junior staff in secure design; what was your approach and outcome?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic resume or cover letter—this role requires specific secure facility expertise; failure to tailor will stand out.
  • Avoid downplaying the importance of accreditation processes; emphasize your hands-on experience with ICD-705, UFCs, and agency reviews.
  • Don't neglect to mention mentorship or team collaboration; AECOM values a culture of technical growth, and ignoring this may signal a poor fit.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AECOM!

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