Designer - Architecture

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

Paid family leave

Professional license reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in Chicago is seeking an experienced architectural professional to actively lead project portions. Must have a professional degree in Architecture, 4+ years of experience, and proficiency in design software such as Revit and AutoCAD.

The role offers a hybrid work schedule and benefits like medical and professional development reimbursements. Strong communication skills and leadership abilities are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads distinct portions of a project with supervision.
• Manages time and workload to meet project deadlines.
• Guides and teaches less experienced staff.

Skills

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Verbal and written communication

Google Workspace

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

Tools

Adobe Suite

Parametric and rendering software

Job description

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.

Qualifications

• Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Professional licensure process is close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates 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 employee assistance program.
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, exam fees, and specialized in‑house career development.
• Compensation: 70,000 to 83,000 depending on experience, qualifications, location, and education.

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