Senior Designer - Architecture

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance

401(k) matching

Hybrid/flexible schedules

Professional license reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) in Chicago is seeking an experienced professional with a degree in Architecture and at least 6 years of experience to lead various projects. You will manage deliverables, mentor staff, and ensure compliance with project requirements while also engaging in talent strategy for the firm.

The ideal candidate should have skills in Revit, AutoCAD, and strong communication abilities. Benefits include comprehensive insurance options, a hybrid work schedule, and support for professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Professional licensure process close to completion; LEED accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads projects with supervision from Project Leadership.
• Produces, coordinates and oversees presentation and contract deliverables.
• Communicates effectively with project teams, consultants, and clients.
• Guides and teaches less experienced staff.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Proficiency in Revit

Proficiency in AutoCAD

Proficiency in Rhino

Proficiency in parametric and rendering software

Proficiency in Adobe Suite

Proficiency in Google Workspace

Education

Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or related field

Job description

Position Responsibilities

• Actively leads a project or 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 large projects or entire projects of a small scale.
• 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 advanced understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
• Enriches design concepts through technical strategies and 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.
• Proactively checks and coordinates project documents for compliance with the project’s technical requirements.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate.
• Directly supervises staff and is committed to direct reports’ professional development.
• Develops and engages in talent strategy to find specialists, leaders, and future professionals for the firm through resume review and interviews.
• Develops a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
• Engages in internal and external 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 6 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Professional licensure process close to completion; 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

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance.
• 401(k) matching, pre‑tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs.
• Hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and employee assistance program.
• Professional license reimbursement, renewal, and exam fee coverage; in‑house career development.

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