Junior Designer - Architecture

Skidmore Owings & Merrill • Chicago, IL

3d

About The Position

At SOM, a collective committed to shaping a better future for clients, communities, and the planet, the Junior Designer contributes to project design and delivery under the direct supervision of project leadership. The role involves developing project components, creating presentation and contract deliverables, communicating effectively, and collaborating with interdisciplinary project teams. The successful candidate demonstrates conceptual design ability, initiative, problem-solving, precision, and an understanding of building materials, systems, codes, details, and construction techniques.

The position requires using appropriate design and documentation tools throughout project phases and managing time and workload to meet task deadlines with frequent interaction and direction from project leadership. Compensation typically ranges from $55,000 to $62,000, based on experience, qualifications, location, and education.

Applicants must submit a portfolio for this design position. Portfolios should be a single PDF attachment of 10–20 pages and no more than 5 MB, submitted with the resume or CV. Applications without work samples will not be reviewed.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing an aspect of a project under the direct supervision of project leadership.
• Demonstrate initiative, process innovation, problem-solving, and sound decision-making, with attention to task-level precision and accuracy.
• Produce presentation and contract deliverables, including diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models, and animations.
• Communicate internally in a timely and appropriate manner through written, oral, and visual means.
• Create and innovate using strong conceptual design ability.
• Integrate interdisciplinary criteria to advance the design of a project component.
• Collaborate actively at the project-team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas.
• Apply a basic understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details, and construction techniques.
• Use appropriate tools to design and document work through all project phases.
• Manage time and workload to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with frequent interaction and direction from project leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level