Interior Designer III | Perkins and Will | Handshake

Perkins and Will; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Wellness programs

Disability insurance (STD/LTD)

Life insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Generous PTO

Hybrid work model

Professional development stipend

Pay equity and inclusive culture

Job summary

Perkins & Will in Chicago seeks a design-driven Interior Designer with 3–8 years of experience to join our studio. This role blends creative vision, technical expertise, and team leadership to deliver interior design solutions from concept through construction while engaging clients and mentoring staff.

The candidate will advance innovative, sustainable design, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to project success within budget and schedule. Hybrid work environment offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in interiors, architecture or related discipline required.
• 3–8 years of interior design experience in a multidisciplinary environment preferred.
• LEED GA within 6 months of hire; NCIDQ preparation encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Concept to construction interior design delivery.
• Develops design concepts and integrates architectural process.
• Produces contract documents (floor plans, reflected ceilings, millwork, furniture layouts).
• Coordinates with clients, consultants, and team members.
• Mentors staff and leads design reviews and charettes.
• Ensures sustainability goals are met across projects.
• Participates in meetings and presentations with stakeholders.

Skills

BIM

Building codes

Programming basics

Preliminary design

Contract documents

Field observations

Life safety

Furniture specs

Construction administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in interiors/architecture

LEED GA within 6 months

NCIDQ prep

Living Design accreditation options

Tools

2D/3D production software

Revit

Rhino/Grasshopper

MS Office / Adobe Suite

Enscape / VRay

InDesign / Photoshop

Ladybug / Climate Studio

Job description

Perkins&Will is seeking a design-driven Interior Designer with 3–8 years of experience to join us in our Chicago studio. This role thrives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and blends creative vision, technical expertise, and team leadership to deliver high-quality interior design solutions from concept through construction, while engaging clients, mentoring staff, and advancing innovative, sustainable design.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of project complexity to proactively contribute to the overall success of the team by adhering to firm and project goals and standards of excellence in interior design, execution, and living design.
• Exhibits advanced understanding and independent development of interior design concepts and integration of the architectural design process and in market.
• Executes contract documents, including but not limited to floor plans and details, reflected ceiling plans, mill work design, furniture layouts, finish plans, and sections.
• Exercises critical judgement in creating materials and models for client presentations.
• Develops graphic communication skills to illustrate design
• Influences and manipulates design elements such as spatial layout, color, light, texture, and
• Researches manufacturers and selects colors, finishes, materials, lighting, and furniture for interior application, ensuring sustainability goals of the firm are
• Begins to take ownership of project scope, budgets, and
• Provides programming and space planning analysis as well as area calculations.
• Implements a creative approach to complete tasks and responsibilities on projects, within the scope of schedule and budget, in an organized, timely, and consistent way.
• Reviews work for accuracy, omissions, legibility, and for document compliance in accordance with the Project Delivery Manual.
• Expresses curiosity about the world of design and the industry at large.
• Takes increasing ownership on tasks within project teams and studio activities.
• Participates in design reviews, charettes, and pin-ups.
• Keeps open and proactive communication within team and with designated team leader.
• Communicates ideas and thoughts in a way that inspires.
• Coordinates effectively and participates in meetings with clients, partners, and Consultants.

High-level Summary of Critical, Baseline Technical Skills and Certifications Proficiencies

• BIM
• Building codes and guidelines as applicable (ADA, FGI, etc)
• Basic knowledge in programming, planning, and site analysis
• Preliminary design studies
• Contract documents
• Field observations and measurements
• Life safety requirements
• Furniture and interior product specifications
• Construction contract administration

Software

• Advanced knowledge of 2D/3D production software
• Advanced Revit
• Conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper
• Microsoft Office / Adobe Suite
• Visualization tools such as Enscape and VRay
• Presentation tools such as InDesign and Photoshop
• Environmental Analysis software such Ladybug and Climate Studio

Licensure/Certifications/Education

• LEED GA within 6 months of hire
• Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
• Preparing for NCIDQ
• Bachelor's degree in interiors, architecture or, related discipline required

Our Offerings

At Perkins&Will, we are committed to supporting the well-being and growth of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Wellness programs and mental health support
• Short- and long-term disability (STD/LTD)
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off (PTO)

Our employee experience is enriched by a hybrid and flexible work environment, enabled by advanced technology and collaborative tools. Our hybrid model will empower you to balance your life and work commitments.

We also provide:

• A professional development stipend and dedicated time for continuing education
• Performance-based bonuses
• Engaging studio initiatives and events
• Active firmwide affinity groups and leadership development opportunities

Above all, our culture is grounded in a firmwide commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)—a core foundation of everything we do.

Salary Range Information

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay salary range for this position in is between $69,000 and $95,400 commensurate with qualifications.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.

"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community."

*Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy ("EEO"), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.