3D Design & Production Specialist

Kipnis Architecture + Planning; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan with 3% match

Job summary

Kipnis Architecture + Planning is seeking a part-time 3D Design & Production Specialist to develop detailed CAD models, create construction documents, and produce renderings and walkthroughs. You will work directly with the principal and project managers, building and refining 3D models, documenting existing buildings, and contributing in client meetings with real-time modeling.

The role emphasizes hands-on production, with training and collaboration sprinkled throughout.

Qualifications

• Three to eight years of professional experience in architecture or a related design field.
• Strong 3D modeling and CAD skills; experience with Vectorworks and Twinmotion is a plus.
• Ability to document existing buildings and produce accurate drawings and models.

Responsibilities

• Build and refine 3D CAD models for projects.
• Produce construction document sets for construction use.
• Create renderings and walkthroughs to illustrate design intent.
• Document existing buildings and conditions accurately.
• Join client meetings and model in real time as ideas develop.

Skills

3D modeling

CAD

Renderings

Vectorworks

Twinmotion

Tools

Vectorworks

Twinmotion

Job description

Kipnis Architecture + Planning is a small, award-winning architecture firm known for high-performance residential and multifamily work. We've designed three certified Passive Houses, including Evanston's First Passive House, winner of the 2026 AIA Chicago People's Choice Award. Our projects range from historic-district homes to luxury condominiums, and we care equally about how buildings look and how they perform.

We're looking for a 3D Design & Production Specialist to be the core of our production work. This is for someone who loves the craft of building detailed CAD models, producing construction document sets, and making a design come to life visually. You'll work directly with our principal and project managers. You'll build and refine 3D CAD models, produce construction documents, create renderings and walkthroughs, document existing buildings, and join client meetings where you'll model in real time as ideas develop. Your design insight will be welcome. Good ideas don't depend on title here.

Three to eight years of professional experience in architecture or a related design field, with a solid understanding of building construction.

This is a part-time position (±30 hours per week) paying $32-$40/hr depending on experience, with an employer-paid health insurance contribution and a retirement plan with a 3% employer match, after an initial eligibility period.

Applicant Requirements

• Three to eight years of professional experience in architecture or a related design field.
• Strong 3D modeling and CAD skills. Vectorworks and Twinmotion experience are a definite plus, and in-house training is provided.
• Ability to field measure a wide range of buildings, both manually (tape, laser measure, sketching) and digitally (3D scanning or photogrammetry tools), and to turn that data into accurate existing-conditions drawings and models.
• Comfortable managing their own computer and software: installs, updates, file organization, backups, and basic troubleshooting.
• Reliable transportation for site visits around the Chicago area is a plus.
• Clear communication and the ability to contribute in client meetings, including modeling in real time.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. and located in the Chicago area.
• Interest in learning energy analysis for single-family homes; training provided.
• Strong graphics skills are a plus.