• Assist leadership in creating content to implement the strategic direction for each smaller project within the large-scale project. This could include areas of architecture, design, programming, and phasing to ensure alignment with company goals and marketability.
• Under some supervision from the project team, work to help develop project charters that provide an overall vision of the project goals and objectives to project team and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of project design goals and vision and work with Place leadership toward developing appropriate solutions.
• Understand and support all phases of the architecture design process with great design, graphics, text, research, drawing, and rendering skills.
• Help coordinate the day-to-day project needs on the multiple smaller projects as it relates to Michigan Central as a whole.
• Work closely with other MC teams to implement design concepts and support interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Produce and/or coordinate architectural drawings, graphic collateral, text, and research documentation.
• Interpret complex business data and create a visual representation that can be more easily understood by different audiences.
• Successfully contribute to the following project types: retail projects, tenant fit outs, mixed-use buildings, adaptive re-use, parking decks, etc.
• Confidently present and facilitate discourse and design review with other Place team members.
• Coordinate and present project updates to Place leadership for review and direction.
• Clearly communicate with external consultants in emails, meetings, and phone calls.
• Support the reviews of architecture and engineering deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and impact.
• Research and identify architecture and sustainability trends, identify innovative practices or events, disseminate information to teams, and apply to projects, as appropriate, to ensure Michigan Central’s success.
• Develop knowledge of the city of Detroit, including history, neighborhoods, and the recent developments.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in architecture, interior architecture, or a closely related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum three years of professional experience involving architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or real estate is required.
• Specialization in architecture, interiors, and related design experience.

• Ability to verbally and graphically articulate design goals and outcomes.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, REVIT, Sketchup required.
• Knowledge of Bluebeam, Enscape, Lumion, Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator preferred.
• Strong written, presentation, and general communication skills.
• Ability to relate well with others, build rapport and effective relationships, use tact, diffuse high-tension situations and be tough-minded in a constructive way.
• Decisive yet flexible; disciplined and focused on business fundamentals.
• Work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Detail oriented and organized work habits.
• Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction.

Since 1982, Ghafari Associates has taken a personal approach to highly technical projects in complex markets including: aviation, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality, K-12 and higher education. As a global team of engineers, architects, process designers, and consultants we blend insight with technological innovation helping clients elevate their efficiency, sustainability, and impact.

Continuously rated a Top Workplace to Work, Crain’s Cool Place to Work, and a Best and Brightest company to work for in the US, Ghafari has made a name for itself through our culture, employee benefits, and portfolio of projects.

Over a quarter of Ghafari employees have diverse identities that are championed by our growing approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We provide flexible work environments allowing team members a schedule that benefits them, whether it is fully remote, hybrid or an in-office experience.

Through career mapping, Ghafari employees are encouraged to seek licensure, coached for knowledge growth, and provided opportunities for management and mentorship roles if interested. Our robust internship program recognizes undergraduate and graduate students from across the world, having an over 90% success rate of hiring our interns after graduation.

Join our team and work on forward-thinking projects all around the world. Ghafari’s global reach creates an environment where individuals can build professional relationships while building sustainable and cutting-edge facilities. Are you ready to take that leap? Apply now!