Designer I

As a Designer I, you will:

• Provide assistance throughout the design process under routine guidance; contribute to the overall success of the team by adhering to firm and project goals and standards of excellence in design, execution, and living design. 
• Support preparation of creative and innovative design ideas, concepts, and solutions while participating as an integral member of the design team. 
• Provide design support under supervision for schematic design, design development, and construction documents. 
•  Perform product research and assist team with material selections.
•  Assist in preparing client presentation materials using design application skills and creative ideas.
• Use a creative approach to perform tasks and responsibilities on projects in an organized, timely, and consistent way. 
• Self-check work for accuracy, omissions, legibility, and compile data for document compliance in accordance with the Project Delivery Manual. 
•  Proactively ask questions and express curiosity about the world of design and the industry at large.
•  Provide support to tasks within project teams (may focus on individual detailed tasks) and studio activities.
• Participate in design reviews, charrettes, and pin-ups.  
• Keep open communication within team and with designated team leader. 
• Communicate ideas and thoughts in a way that inspires others.
• Assist with coordination among partners and consultants. 

For consideration, you should have:

• 0-3 years of experience.
• A professional degree in Architecture, Design, or a related discipline.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling, visualization, and graphic software; Revit strongly preferred.  
• Additional proficiencies may include site analysis, preliminary design studies, and field measurements.
• Additional skills should include Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Excel, Lumion, and Rhino.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem solving skills, attention to detail, and motivation to learn.  
• Collaborative and professional work ethic.
• LEED GA or within 6 months of hire.
• Preparing for ARE exams.

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume and work samples. Include your resume and a compact, representative sample of your work (no larger than 6MB).  Please submit your files in pdf. Applications without work samples will not be considered.

Recruiting Timeline

We will accept applications through April 15, 2025.  Interviews will occur between February and April 2025.  Intern offers will occur no later than May 31, 2025.

Salary Range Information

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, commensurate with qualifications, the full salary range for this position in Chicago is between $55,200 and $70,400 per year.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve. 

"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community."

*Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Perkins&Will will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.