Year One - Junior Designer - Architecture

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness insurance

401(k) matching

Flexible schedules

Paid family leave

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) is hiring a Junior Designer for its Year One Program, aimed at helping recent graduates develop their skills through real projects. This role includes responsibilities such as developing project aspects under supervision, creating diagrams and models, as well as collaborating within a team.

Candidates should have a professional degree in Architecture or a related field and proficiency in design software like Revit and AutoCAD. The program offers various health benefits, a salary range of $55,000 – $60,000 based on experience, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Recent completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
• Strong collaborative, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, Adobe Suite, and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of a project aspect under direct supervision.
• Produce presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, and drawings.
• Communicate internally through written, oral, and visual means.
• Collaborate at project team level by critically evaluating ideas.

Skills

Collaborative communication

Problem solving

Conceptual design ability

Education

Professional degree in Architecture or a related field

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Adobe Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

Junior Designer – Architecture (Year One Program)

Join SOM’s Year One Program as a Junior Designer – Architecture. The program supports recent graduates to engage in real projects and develop their skills.

Position Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of a project aspect under direct supervision.
• Exhibit initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with high precision and accuracy.
• Produce presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models, and animations.
• Communicate internally through written, oral, and visual means in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Create and innovate with strong conceptual design ability and integrate interdisciplinary criteria.
• Collaborate at project team level by critically evaluating ideas.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details, and construction techniques.
• Use appropriate tools (Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, Adobe Suite, Google Workspace) to design and document across project phases.
• Manage time and workload to meet task deadlines, frequently interacting with Project Leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Recent completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
• Strong collaborative, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, Adobe Suite, and Google Workspace.

Application Requirements

Applications must include a cover letter, résumé/CV, and work samples. Work samples should be a single PDF attachment of 10–20 pages (max. 5 MB). Portfolios are required for all design and project management positions; applications lacking samples will not be reviewed.

Benefits and Compensation

Health and wellness: medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance.

Savings: 401(k) matching, pre‑tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs.

Work/life balance: hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and employee assistance program.

Professional development: reimbursement for professional licenses, renewals, exam fees, and in‑house career development.

Compensation: $55,000 – $60,000, based on experience, qualifications, location, and education.

Equal Opportunity

SOM is a proud equal‑opportunity and affirmative action employer. Our DEI action plan is designed to bring meaningful change to our profession and culture.