Architect

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401K matching

Hybrid/flexible schedules

Paid family leave

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in Chicago is seeking a licensed Architect with at least 4 years of experience to lead project portions and innovate design strategies. The successful candidate will oversee project deliverables and communicate effectively with teams and clients.

Benefits include health insurance, 401K matching, hybrid work schedules, and reimbursement for professional licenses. Join us in a role that values mentorship and sustainability in our projects.

Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Licensed Architect; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leads project portions with supervision by Project Leadership.
• Produces and oversees deliverables including diagrams and models.
• Effectively communicates with teams and clients.
• Integrates interdisciplinary criteria in project design.

Skills

Communication skills

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Parametric and rendering software

Adobe Suite

Proficiency in Google Workspace

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

Job description

Position Responsibilities

• Actively leads distinct portions of a project with periodic supervision by Project Leadership.
• Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at an overall project level.
• Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
• Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
• Creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability.
• Integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of distinct portions of projects.
• Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
• Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office.
• Demonstrates an intermediate understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
• Able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies.
• Identifies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
• Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from Project Leadership.
• Guides and teaches less experienced staff.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.
• In collaboration with team members, contributes to a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
• Actively engages in internal professional development opportunities.
• Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
• Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
• Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Licensed Architect; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and Adobe Suite.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance.
• Savings: 401K matching, pre‑tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs.
• Work/Life Balance: Hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program.
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in‑house career development.
• Compensation: Typically ranges from $70,000 to $83,000, based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.