Year One - Junior Designer - Architecture

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401K matching

Hybrid/Flexible schedules

Paid vacation

Professional development reimbursement

Job summary

A leading architecture firm in Chicago is seeking a Junior Designer for their Year One program. The role combines project responsibilities with innovative design initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a recent degree in Architecture, strong collaboration skills, and proficiency in design software such as Revit and AutoCAD. This position supports the firm's commitment to excellence and innovation. Competitive compensation ranges from $55,000 to $60,000 annually, along with health benefits and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Contributes to project development under supervision.
• Produces presentation deliverables such as diagrams, models, and drawings.
• Communicates effectively through written, oral, and visual means.
• Creates strong conceptual design with interdisciplinary criteria.
• Collaborates effectively within project teams.
• Demonstrates understanding of building materials and construction techniques.
• Manages time to meet project deadlines.

Skills

Collaboration

Verbal communication

Written communication

Conceptual design ability

Education

Professional degree in Architecture or related field

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Rhino

Adobe Suite

Google Workspace

Job description

Join SOM’s Year One Program as a Junior Designer – Architecture

Our Year One program picks up where your formal education leaves off, with a suite of events and creative initiatives to help you get the most out of your first year at SOM. Alongside your day‑to‑day project responsibilities, we’ll encourage you to expand your learning and to propose bold ideas for the future of design. SOM offers the best of both worlds: the hands‑on experience of small, dynamic studios, and the resources and diversity of a global organization. Our interdisciplinary firm affords a wealth of opportunities for emerging designers; our collaborative approach means that your ideas and creativity will be valued and recognized from day one. In keeping with SOM’s reputation for innovation, our Year One program invites you to shape the future of the practice with us. Start here to dive into the profession, chart your path forward, and make your mark.

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.

Instructions for Year One Applicants

SOM is a global collective of talented and passionate people – help us understand what you would bring to the table.

Applications must include a Cover Letter, Resume/CV and Work Samples. Work Samples shall be one PDF attachment, 10‑20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit Work Samples as part of your application in the section where the application asks for your Resume or CV. Applications that do not meet this criteria will not be reviewed.

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

• Contributes to the development of an aspect of a project under the direct supervision of project leadership. Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at a task‑specific level.
• Produces presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
• Effectively communicates internally 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 a project component.
• Actively collabora‑tes at a project team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques. Effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
• Manages time and workload to meet project task deadlines and commitments with frequent interaction and direction from Project Leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Are you ready to join a team of creative professionals working on transformational projects around the world?

Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to build a better future with SOM.

Our Benefits

Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance.

Savings: 401K 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 an employee assistance program.

Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in‑house career development.

Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $55,000 – $60,000.

Our Culture

Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. Here, you’ll collaborate with industry experts on some of the most exciting and transformative architecture, engineering, and planning projects in the world.

We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM’s employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy

For more about SOM: www.som.com

Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc). Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10‑20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.