Project Designer

Posted Yesterday
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San Francisco, CA, USA
Hybrid
104K-138K Annually
Senior level
Professional Services
The Role
Lead and execute schematic and design development work, prepare presentations and models, coordinate with consultants and clients, apply building technology and code knowledge, mentor staff, and participate in marketing, reviews, and community engagement to deliver high-quality architectural projects.
Summary Generated by Built In

At Perkins&Will, we passionately believe that design can transform lives and enhance communities, creating healthy, sustainable places to live, learn, work, play, heal, move, and explore. We’re in it for the greater good; we design to create places with meaning, and we design with purpose. Join the brightest minds in architecture! Our San Francisco studio is currently recruiting for a talented Project Designer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Understands and consistently executes all aspects of the design process and project complexities to proactively contribute to the overall success of the team while adhering to firm and project goals and standards of excellence in design, execution, and living design.
  • Prepares schematic designs that optimize design solutions and plans with responsibility for presentation drawings, models, and narratives.
  • Understands overall project goals and constraints, including client values, construction and design budget limitations, and schedule requirements.
  • Evaluates design alternatives based on site and code requirements.
  • Applies knowledge of building technology, building materials, construction methods, costs, and code to the design process.
  • Understands and responds to technical implications and design decisions.
  • Prepares client presentation packages, external publications, and award submissions.
  • Participates in marketing opportunities and develops successful client relationships for continuing business.
  • Uses graphic storytelling to advance the project delivery and scope.
  • Reviews work for accuracy, omissions, legibility, and for document compliance in accordance with the Project Delivery Manual.
  • Participates and collaborates in internal design reviews, charettes, and pin-ups and external community engagements.
  • Demonstrates strong and effective communication and direction which inspires high team performance and design ideas.
  • Mentors staff.
  • Coordinates effectively with partners and consultants throughout the schematic and design development phases.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree in architecture or related discipline required
  • 8-10+ years of professional experience
  • LEED GA within 6 months of hire
  • Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
  • Preparing for ARE and active involvement in AXP

PROFICIENCIES

  • BIM
  • Building codes
  • Site analysis
  • Preliminary design studies
  • Contract documents
  • Field measurements
  • Life safety requirements
  • Specifications
  • Construction contract administration
  • Graphic storytelling
  • Sketching

SOFTWARE

  • Advanced knowledge of 2D/3D production software
  • Advanced Revit
  • Conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper
  • Microsoft Office / Adobe Suite
  • Visualization tools such as Enscape and VRay
  • Physical modeling tools such as 3D Printing and Laser cutting
  • Presentation tools such as InDesign and Photoshop
  • Environmental Analysis software such Ladybug and Climate Studio

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and work samples (should be a compact, representative sample of your work, no larger than 4MB).

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

At Perkins&Will, we are committed to supporting the well-being and growth of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Wellness programs and mental health support
  • Short- and long-term disability (STD/LTD)
  • Life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid time off (PTO)

 We also provide:

  • A professional development stipend and dedicated time for continuing education
  • Performance-based bonuses
  • Engaging studio initiatives and events
  • Active firmwide affinity groups and leadership development opportunities

Above all, our culture is grounded in a firmwide commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)—a core foundation of everything we do.

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 and 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.

Compensation & Benefits

At Perkins&Will, 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, the annual pay range for this position is between $103,500 and $138,000 commensurate with qualifications. In addition, we provide a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including, medical, dental, vision, FSA/HSA accounts, 401k with employer match, PTO and paid holidays, short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, commuter benefits, life insurance, and learning and development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

#LI-DB1

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.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in architecture or related discipline
  • 8-10+ years of professional experience
  • LEED GA within 6 months of hire
  • Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design (LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation)
  • Preparing for ARE and active involvement in AXP
  • BIM proficiency
  • Advanced Revit
  • Conceptual modeling tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper
  • Advanced knowledge of 2D/3D production software
  • Microsoft Office
  • Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop)
  • Visualization tools such as Enscape and VRay
  • Physical modeling tools such as 3D printing and laser cutting
  • Environmental analysis software such as Ladybug and Climate Studio
  • Knowledge of building codes and life safety requirements
  • Site analysis and preliminary design studies
  • Contract documents and construction contract administration
  • Field measurements and specifications
  • Graphic storytelling and presentation preparation
  • Sketching and physical/modeling skills
  • Ability to mentor staff and coordinate with partners and consultants

Perkins&Will Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Perkins&Will and has not been reviewed or approved by Perkins&Will.

  • Inclusive Benefits Coverage Inclusive health benefits extend to same-sex spouses and domestic partners and include coverage for gender confirmation surgery, reinforced by repeated external recognition for LGBTQ equality.
  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage spans dental, vision, disability, life, and medical insurance, alongside FSA options and related support programs that broaden access to care.
  • Retirement Support Retirement support includes a 401(k) with employer matching and is complemented by performance bonuses that add to total rewards.

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The Company
HQ: Chicago, IL
2,950 Employees
Year Founded: 1935

What We Do

Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place. That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about Living Design, a philosophy that guides our work and emphasizes poetics and beauty; conceptual clarity; research and innovation; technology and tectonics; community and inclusion; resilience and regeneration; and health and well-being. Our team of over 2,500 professionals in 30 studios worldwide provides interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). We’re also part of the Sidara Collaborative, a global network of leading designers, engineers, planners, and consultants.

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