Construction Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Description:

The Construction Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide plan review expertise and validation services to support AI-driven plan review systems. This role ensures that AI-generated outputs align with jurisdictional standards, building codes, and real-world permitting workflows.

Key Responsibilities

AI Output Validation & Testing

• Test AI-generated plan review outputs for accuracy, completeness, and consistency
• Execute hands-on validation using sample datasets, sandbox environments, and real agency scenarios
• Verify that AI-generated comments align with:
  • Applicable jurisdictional standards
  • Relevant code references
  • Established plan review workflows
• Validate AI findings against adopted code editions, local amendments, and agency-specific review standards

Domain Expertise & Issue Diagnosis

• Provide cross-disciplinary expertise spanning architectural, structural, and MEP reviews
• Analyze discrepancies and determine root cause, including:
  • AI model errors
  • Incorrect prompts or assumptions
  • Ambiguous, incomplete, or incorrect requirements

Model Improvement & Feedback

• Deliver structured, iterative feedback to support:
  • Model refinement
  • Prompt engineering improvements
  • Rule and requirement clarity
• Define validation criteria and success metrics for AI review results

Reporting & Insights

• Produce weekly findings summaries, including:
  • Defect patterns and recurring issues
  • Missing conditions or validation gaps
  • False positives and false negatives
  • Actionable recommendations and suggestion logs for system improvement

Test Case Development

• Create and maintain plan review test scenarios.
• Develop edge-case and exception scenarios to evaluate AI performance.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience in construction plan review, permitting, or design (AEC industry). Licensed Architect, Professional Engineer, ICC Certified Plans Examiner, State Certified Plans Examiner, Certified Building Official, or equivalent professional credential.
• Deep understanding of building codes and jurisdictional requirements
• Experience reviewing construction drawings and specifications
• Ability to translate real-world review practices into structured validation logic
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written communication skills for documenting findings and recommendations
• Experience using electronic plan review platforms and permitting systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with permitting agencies or municipal plan review
• Exposure to AI/ML systems, automated review tools, or digital plan workflows
• Familiarity with IBC, IRC, FBC, or other U.S. building codes
• Experience in testing, QA, or validation workflows
• Experience with digital plan review platforms such as ePermitHub, or similar systems

 ABOUT ACCELA
For nearly 20 years, Accela has been an industry leader in designing and delivering government software to improve efficiency, increase citizen engagement and enable the development of thriving communities. Today, citizens are savvy to how services should be delivered, and expect a consistently convenient, openly transparent view into their local government. While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical. Accela provides a robust, cloud-based platform of government software solutions that accelerate growth, efficiency, and transparency in communities of all sizes. From planning, to building, to service request management and more, Accela’s SaaS offerings level the playing field for small and medium governments and enable smaller agencies to leverage larger city technologies. Our open and flexible technology helps agencies address specific needs today, while ensuring they are well prepared for the emerging challenges of the future.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Accela believes in developing and nurturing a workplace community where our differences are celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of psychological safety and belonging. Accela is committed to putting resources and attention towards evolving our practices, policies, and philosophies to enable diversity to thrive and to support equity in opportunity for everyone.

COMPENSATION AND WELL-BEING
The annual base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 (less applicable taxes). The actual annual base salary offered may be adjusted based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, location, education, skills, training, and experience. In addition to an annual base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus target. This is a discretionary bonus awarded based on company and individual goal achievement.
 
Accela’s U.S. team members will receive a generous benefits package consisting of options including flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, family planning benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, health savings account with company contributions, flexible spending account, life, accident, and disability coverage, business travel insurance, employee assistance programs, and other well-being benefits.

Accela is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and will respond to requests for job accommodations.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation

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