Summer Intern - City Design

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

Career development opportunities

Leadership opportunities

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) invites ambitious students to join its Summer Internship Program in architecture, urban design, and related disciplines. Learn from experts across design disciplines, build your portfolio, and contribute to real-world projects in a collaborative studio setting.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional growth. Open to current students returning in Fall 2027, the internship runs from June 7, 2027 to August 13, 2027, with

Qualifications

• Current student in accredited bachelor’s or master’s program in urban design or architecture returning to school in Fall 2027.
• Some experience in urban design or architectural profession or associated arts.
• Strong portfolio or work samples demonstrating design skills.
• Demonstrated general interest and knowledge of urban design and planning, urban history and theory, planning and environmental law.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Participate in in-person and virtual learning opportunities and events with SOM’s design disciplines.
• Contribute to world-class design projects during the internship period.
• Develop design and visualization skills through hands-on collaboration with mentors.

Skills

Urban design

Architecture

Portfolio

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Current student in accredited bachelor’s or master’s program in urban design or architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Rhino

Adobe Creative Suite

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.

Summer Internship Program Overview

The Summer Internship Program is open to applicants who are planning careers in architecture, structural & sustainable engineering, urban planning, graphic design, or interior design. Spend the summer learning from experts in all of our design disciplines, building your design and visualization skills and contributing to world class design projects. Summer Interns participate in a wide range of in-person and virtual learning opportunities and events. SOM's Summer Internship Program will run from June 7, 2027 until August 13, 2027.

Desired skills and expertise

• Current student in an accredited bachelor's program or master's degree program in urban design, architecture or related field of study and returning to school in the Fall of 2027.
• Some experience in the urban design or architectural profession or associated arts.
• Demonstrated general interest and limited knowledge of urban design and planning, urban history and theory, planning and environmental law, and private and public development.
• Strong design capabilities and basic delineation skills as demonstrated in portfolio or work samples.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.

Reminders

You must be returning to school in Fall 2027 to be considered for a summer internship at SOM. Applicants who do not submit work samples will not be reviewed. Application deadline is January 18, 2027. Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $25/per hour to $27/per hour.

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 Benefits

• 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.

Notice to Applicants

Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB.