Senior Interior Designer

Perkins Eastman; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401k options

PTO and company holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Perkins Eastman in Chicago is seeking a Senior Interior Designer to lead project design quality across workplace/corporate interiors, K-12 and hospitality. You will guide teams from concept through documentation, mentor staff, and coordinate FF&E and shop drawings while ensuring brand standards and code compliance.

The role emphasizes client collaboration, presentations, and integration of input from operators with a focus on delivering high-quality interior environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design (CIDA-accredited) or equivalent.
• Minimum of 8+ years of related industry experience.
• Experience in Workplace / Corporate Interiors; K-12 & Hospitality a plus.
• Understanding of brand standards and ability to execute them.
• Strong knowledge of architectural interior design and building codes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project team in developing aesthetic design for interior spaces.
• Serve as Project Designer for interior design projects.
• Develop, present, and execute design concepts through all phases.
• Prepare FF&E palettes and client presentations for approvals.
• Coordinate 3D models and construction documents using Revit/3D tools.
• Mentor junior staff and manage multiple projects to deadlines.
• Support business development and proposals for new opportunities.

Skills

Team leadership

Project coordination

Presentation skills

Detail-oriented

Communication

Education

Interior Design degree

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Illustrator

SketchUp

Affinity/Adobe Suite

MS Office

Enscape

Job description

Perkins Eastman is a global architectural design practice with expertise in all aspects of the built environment, working at all scales, and at every level of detail. With studios in 26 locations worldwide, we design for people, to leave a lasting and positive impact on the human experience and the world we inhabit. This is captured in our ethos "human by design".

We believe design is a collaborative art and we are structured as an integrated practice of passionate professionals committed to delivering the best design for our clients. Our team of diverse and complementary talents work together in studios, that can draw from relevant expertise and points of view from across the whole practice to analyze and solve the specific design challenges they are working on. Within the firm we have 18 practice areas, cores of expertise, that focus as centers of knowledge and analysis, that are both an essential foundation and fuel for the creative design work. Sustainability is intrinsic to our design approach. It is an essential ingredient for the design teams throughout the process, adding valuable insights, ideas, and research to the process. For us all good design is sustainable.

The Opportunity:

The Senior Interior Designer is responsible for project design quality, including FF&E and interior architecture. The Senior Interior Designer will lead teams to conceptualize the project, develop the initial design direction, oversee documentation, and make critical aesthetic decisions throughout the project while integrating input from clients and operators with a focus on Workplace / Corporate Interiors K-12, and Hospitality.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead/assist the project team in the development of the aesthetic design and the preparation of the interior design, including drawings and specifications.
• Serve as the Project Designer for the design of the project.
• Ability to present ideas clearly.
• Develop, present, and execute a design concept through all phases of project design, including pre-schematic design, programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and furniture specification/bid packages.
• Develops design presentations including rendered plans, elevations and 3D views
• Participates in client meetings including interviews, visioning sessions, information gathering, and presentations
• Follows established standards for project production and review.
• Keeps Project Manager, Studio Leaders, and Principal in Charge informed of progress or need for assistance.
• Designs, directs, and mentors junior staff in the design and documentation of the interior workplace design.
• Prepare program and schematic proposals and project layouts and develop designs in 3D using Revit or other 3D modeling software for client review/approval.
• Prepare finish and FF&E material palettes and graphic presentations for client approval.
• Supports business development efforts within the corporate real estate community, helping to cultivate relationships and promote the PE brand to generate new project opportunities
• Lead/assist the project team in the completion of FF&E design & documentation based on the project program, budget, and standards. Provide a final review of FF&E specifications.
• Oversee the review of furniture installation plans for conformance to specifications and brand standards.
• Reviews architectural and furniture installation plans and shop drawings for content and accuracy and ensure that they are fully coordinated with all pertinent consultant drawings
• Ensure all consultant drawings and related physical elements are coordinated with Interior Design and FF&E and applicable building codes.
• Attend and/or direct on-site meetings with the owner, consultants, and contractor, inclusive of construction review and FF&E installation, as necessary.
• Participates in activities related to construction administration, including shop drawings, field observations, response to RFI’s, and punchlist
• Implement and manage Perkins Eastman’s design and documentation standards to ensure project delivery success.
• Assist the studio and leaders with generating Design Services Proposals.
• Ability to prioritize and manage the design of multiple projects.
• Ensure all deliverables, deadlines and budgets are met.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year CIDA-accredited Interior Design program or equivalent
• Minimum of 8 + years of related industry experience required
• Must have experience in Workplace / Corporate Interiors
• Experience in K-12, and Hospitality projects a plus
• Passion for and understanding of sustainable design
• Working knowledge of Brand Standards and ability to execute them
• Thorough understanding of architectural interior design and building/ADA codes
• Ability to produce and coordinate a complete set of construction documents for permit and bid
• Possesses knowledge of building and ADA codes
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines

Technical Proficiency

• Strong proficiency with design software: Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, Affinity Suite / Adobe Suite, MS Office, and 3D software such as Enscape

Soft Skills

• Excellent organization, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in teams
• Detail-oriented and able to multi-task
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and graphic communication skills
• Excellent graphic presentation skills
• Ability to mentor team members and support growth through knowledge sharing

Additional Experience (Preferred)

• Design team leadership
• Writing FF&E specifications and FF&E budgeting
• Ability to develop Design Narratives and FF&E schemes
• Space planning; hand sketching ability a plus
• Ability to think and articulate interior architectural design in 3D
• Understanding and managing detailed construction documents, including:
• Floor plans
• Furniture floor plans
• Reflected ceiling plans (RCP)
• Power plans
• Elevations, details, and sections
• Finish schedules

What we offer you:

• Robust medical, dental and vision coverage
• 401k Options
• PTO
• Company Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Professional Development

PE has a hybrid policy that allows flexibility for our employees in managing their working days and hours to cater to their diverse needs.

Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographical work location.

Salary Range: $88k to $94k

Perkins Eastman is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and a participant in the U.S. Federal E-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.