Architectural Designer

NBBJ Design; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NBBJ Columbus is seeking an Architectural Designer to join our design‑driven studio. The candidate will support design leadership, contribute to design quality standards, and mentor teams while advancing the firm’s reputation through project work and client interactions.

The role emphasizes collaborative, open environments, hands‑on design for 1–2 projects, and a focus on high‑performance building concepts with opportunity to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience
• Bachelor's Degree: B Arch or M Arch desired
• Architectural licensure a plus
• Experience with healthcare projects is desirable
• Deep understanding of high-performance building concepts, with LEED Accreditation or near hire
• Demonstrated conceptual design and schematic design skills
• Strong verbal and graphic communication skills and ability to work with diverse teams of designers
• Proficiency in Revit with 3D modeling skills; Sketchup, and/or Rhino desired
• Working knowledge of Adobe Suite; Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Interest and experience in Grasshopper workflows are beneficial
• An interest in the use of AI to evolve our practice towards meaningful, original solutions
• Capable of participating in multiple projects and managing deadlines
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, open environment
• Willingness to travel, if the project requires

Responsibilities

• Set Expectations: Define and exemplify quality standards through design reviews, mentoring, and open discussions.
• Inspire: Encourage radical thinking and creativity at all levels, leading the studio toward impactful design.
• Create: Provide hands‑on design work for 1-2 projects, ranging in concept to construction, ensuring holistic design continuity.
• Review/Critique: Ensure design quality by reviewing projects and engaging teams in firm‑wide peer reviews.
• Present/Communicate: Craft and present compelling design stories to clients and peers.
• Network Internally: Connect with design peers firm‑wide, enhancing collaboration and design quality.
• Methodologies: Ensure projects utilize the latest design/visualization methods and technologies.
• Process: Champion proper process design and encourage designers to lead alongside PMs and PAs.
• Expertise: Apply sound design methods across practices, while developing expertise in a single typology.
• Integrated Design Delivery: Collaborate with multiple disciplines to ensure rigorous, integrated project delivery.

Skills

Conceptual design

Schematic design

Verbal communication

Graphic communication

Collaboration

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree: B Arch or M Arch

Architectural licensure

Tools

Revit

SketchUp

Rhino

Grasshopper

Adobe Suite

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Job description

Description

NBBJ is an award-winning design firm recognized as a TIME100 Most Influential Company, a Fast Company Most Innovative Architecture Firm and a two-time 2025 AIA National Honor Award recipient. These recognitions reflect our purpose-driven approach that, fueled by ideas and a culture of collaboration, creates healthy buildings, strong communities and a resilient environment. That’s where you come in. With leading clients, diverse colleagues and offices in creative capitals around the globe, a career at NBBJ will inspire you to be extraordinary. You can learn more about our firm, see what it’s like to work here and explore recent projects and ideas at NBBJ.com. Join us to make an impact today!

The Role At a Glance

NBBJ Columbus is seeking an Architectural Designer to join our team. We are seeking an architect, with experience with good conceptual, visual, and communication skills to work in a highly collaborative and design-oriented studio. At NBBJ, an Architectural Designer is responsible for supporting design leadership on projects, contributing to setting design quality standards, fostering a collaborative design environment, and advancing the firm’s design reputation through active participation in project work, team mentorship, and client interactions.

In Your New Role, You Will

• Set Expectations: Define and exemplify quality standards through design reviews, mentoring, and open discussions.
• Inspire: Encourage radical thinking and creativity at all levels, leading the studio toward impactful design.
• Create: Provide hands‑on design work for 1-2 projects, ranging in concept to construction, ensuring holistic design continuity.
• Review/Critique: Ensure design quality by reviewing projects and engaging teams in firm‑wide peer reviews.
• Present/Communicate: Craft and present compelling design stories to clients and peers.
• Network Internally: Connect with design peers firm‑wide, enhancing collaboration and design quality.
• Methodologies: Ensure projects utilize the latest design/visualization methods and technologies.
• Process: Champion proper process design and encourage designers to lead alongside PMs and PAs.
• Expertise: Apply sound design methods across practices, while developing expertise in a single typology.
• Integrated Design Delivery: Collaborate with multiple disciplines to ensure rigorous, integrated project delivery.

What You Will Need To Succeed

• 3-5 years of experience
• Bachelor's Degree: B Arch or M Arch desired
• Architectural licensure a plus
• Experience with healthcare projects is desirable
• Deep understanding of high-performance building concepts, with LEED Accreditation or at-or-within 18 months of hire
• Demonstrated conceptual design and schematic design skills
• Strong verbal and graphic communication skills and ability to work with diverse teams of designers
• Proficiency in Revit with 3D modeling skills; Sketchup, and/or Rhino desired
• Working knowledge of Adobe Suite; Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Interest and experience in Grasshopper workflows are beneficial
• An interest in the use of AI to evolve our practice towards meaningful, original solutions.
• Capable of participating in multiple projects and managing deadlines
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, open environment
• Willingness to travel, if the project requires

This role requires the individual to be based in the United States. NBBJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F Disabled and Vet EEO/AA Employer.