Senior Technical Designer/Senior Technical Architect

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Family leave

Paid time off

License reimbursement

Career development

Mentorship programs

Workplace flexibility

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) seeks an experienced Architect to lead portions of design projects and coordinate with interdisciplinary teams. The role emphasizes sustainability, accuracy, and collaboration across studios to deliver high-impact buildings.

You will mentor staff, manage schedules and coordinate drawings, models, diagrams, and renderings, ensuring compliance with codes, materials and construction details.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Architecture or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience.
• Licensed Architect with current registration.
• Proficiency in Revit, BIM and AutoCAD; familiarity with Rhino.
• Strong knowledge of building codes, sustainability and integrated design.

Responsibilities

• Lead portions of a project with supervision by Project Leadership.
• Exhibit initiative and problem-solving with precision at the project level.
• Produce and coordinate diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings.
• Communicate effectively with teams, consultants and clients.
• Design integration across interdisciplinary criteria for large or small projects.
• Collaborate with project, consultant and client teams.
• Contribute to studio and office activities.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of materials, systems and construction techniques.
• Coordinate project documents for compliance with technical requirements.
• Manage own and team workload to meet deadlines.

Skills

Revit

BIM

AutoCAD

Rhino

3D modeling

Code compliance

Education

Professional degree in Architecture

Licensed Architect

Tools

Revit

BIM

AutoCAD

Rhino

Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things. Success at SOM Means Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm. Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge. Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work. Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm. Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential. Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position 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 a 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 and 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.
• Is able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
• Proactively checks and coordinates project documents (including but not limited to drawing set organization, details, dimensions, interdisciplinary coordination items, specifications coordination) for compliance with the project’s technical requirements.
• 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 team leaders while guiding and teaching 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.
• Develops and/or manages, in collaboration with team members, a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
• Actively 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 andabilities.
• Licensed Architect with current registration in your region.
• Demonstrates strong proficiency in Revit, BIM and AutoCAD Proficiency in 3D modeling software - Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and other graphic software preferred.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of architectural building systems, Construction Types I, II & IV, sustainability, and integrated design.
• Proficiency in various types of construction management and software preferred.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of building code and ability to research and apply into technical construction documents.
• LEED accreditation preferred

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $90,000 to $120,000.

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global practice of architects, engineers, and planners renowned for designing buildings, interiors, and public spaces that push the boundaries of technical and environmental innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams collaborate across an international network of studios to deliver projects of lasting impact. Through our built work, research, and advocacy, we are advancing strategies to decarbonize the built environment. Learn more about our commitment to climate action.

Working at SOM Our practice was built to champion inclusivity of expertise, people, and ideas. Together, we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that equips our teams to face new challenges. Our studio culture offers opportunities for mentorship, growth, and leadership across project teams, offices, and employee resource groups. SOM is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we have been recognized with the highest ranking awarded on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. We publish an annual Impact Report as part of our ongoing commitment to advancing equity in our practice and the profession.

Our comprehensive benefits package is built to support many facets of your well-being—your health, your financial future, and your continued professional growth.

• We offer medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and accident insurance.
• We also offer retirement support, free access to employee assistance programs for employees and family members, workplace flexibility, paid holidays, family leave, and paid time off.
• We reimburse costs for professional licenses, certifications, and exams, and offer specialized, in-house career development and mentorship programs designed to help you advance your knowledge and expertise.