Project Designer

Overview:

A recognized practitioner who collaborates with the project team on overall effort of completing various design projects. Responsible for delivering exceptional design and delivery for clients on time and on budget. Collaborates on the development of design throughout design development and construction drawings. Coordinates with design talent across the firm to elevate the quality of work overall. Teaches and mentors staff and effectively embodies and expresses the firm’s values and mission.
About HKS Atlanta:
The Atlanta office, founded in 2000 and represents 9 of HKS’ practice areas, including Health, Mixed-use, Aviation, Cities & Communities, Education, Senior Living, Sports & Entertainment and Mission Critical. Our 85 staff members come from over a dozen countries and speak as many languages. Our staff are leaders at both a national and local level, participating in organizations such as the Urban Land Institute, American Institute of Architects, Commercial Real Estate Women, American Academy of Healthcare Architects and NAIOP. We are well-established thought leaders, participating in research, industry interviews, podcasts, panel discussions and authoring articles for institutions such as the Atlanta Design Festival, CKLDP, World Architecture Festival, Forbes Magazine, the New York Times, Urban Land, Building Design + Construction, and many more. Our people and projects have been recognized at a local, national and international level, including most recently AIA Atlanta 2024 Firm of the Year.
The ideal candidate is a passionate and inquisitive designer who draws inspiration from diverse disciplines beyond architecture, approaching every challenge with fearless curiosity. They demonstrate a sophisticated and process-driven approach, ensuring their designs are both clear and well-executed. Their communication—graphic, verbal and written—is thoughtful and articulate. With impeccable presentation skills, they exhibit an intuitive sense of composition and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring every design, project presentation, and visual element is curated with precision and professionalism.

Responsibilities:

• Works with senior designer(s) and project team on conceptual designs, presentations, design development and implementation documents
• Leads and may provide guidance to team on project design for assigned project, developing creative design concepts and expanding on concepts of others
• Collaborates to establish the vision and sets project goals with the senior designer, project team and client
• Develops design solutions based on industry standard construction techniques and engineering principals to support design effort and develop client relationships
• Collaborates on the development of and may modify and/or review graphic presentations, 3D rendering and implementation documents to incorporate the design intent
• Organizes and delivers project design presentations to client user group or public forum
• Coordinates with consultants, contractors, fabricators, furniture dealers and regulatory agencies to meet overall project objectives; collaborates on project details with consulting design or engineering firms
• Assists in resolving complex design issues with innovative and practical solutions to maintain goals and objectives of projects
• Works with senior designer or PM to manage client expectations, team communication and consultant coordination
• Prepares schematic land and site planning drawings with graphic content to convey ideas, methodologies and approaches for marketing and proposal requests
• Performs and coordinates product research; assists senior designers with materials and systems evaluation to make proper selections
• Participates in team meetings to discuss project issues, technical issues and coordination with other disciplines
• Develops, recognizes, recruits and grows diverse talent
• Manages conflict effectively and encourages a healthy team environment
• Fosters and maintains a collaborative professional working relationship with the project team
• Actively promotes the firm’s principles of ‘design excellence’ through the integration of responsible and sustainable design practice with the art of design, including understanding mindful materials evaluation and selection
• Collaborates in and may be responsible for delivering a project on defined budget requirements
• Maintains accountability to project plan and planned utilization rate
• Participates in the pursuit and marketing of potential projects

Qualifications:

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture or related field
• Architectural registration strongly preferred
• Typically 8+ years of experience
• Sustainable design accreditation preferred
• Advanced knowledge in 3D modeling in a variety of software platforms such as Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, CATIA, etc. preferred
• Proficiency in architectural software such as 3D modeling (including Rhino and Grasshopper, 3D Studio MAX, etc.) and AutoCAD preferred
• Experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp and InDesign graphic software preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred
• Experience with the entire project lifecycle, through post-occupancy
• Strong knowledge of sustainability and integrated design guidelines
• Knowledge of furniture, furnishings and equipment (FF&E) and Environmental Graphic process
• Strong knowledge of materials, construction techniques and building codes
• Strong presentation skills and graphic and visualization skills to communicate design ideas
• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and professional manner both verbally and in writing

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If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal.

HKS is an EEO/AA Employer: M/F/Disabled/Veteran