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Architect

Skidmore Owings & Merrill · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Nov 18, 2025 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through a project where you were responsible for a major part of the construction documents. What did you own?

What they are checking: Whether they have carried real technical responsibility on a set that got built.

Tell me about a time you found a code issue late in a project. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise code problems quickly and work toward a fix instead of hiding them.

How do you guide junior designers on your team so their drawings meet the standard you need?

What they are checking: Whether they can lift the quality of others' work, not only their own.

Describe your experience during construction administration, like site visits, submittals and punch lists.

What they are checking: Whether they have seen their drawings built and learned from what happened on site.

Are you licensed, and how has that responsibility changed how you work?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the professional accountability that comes with stamping or supporting stamped work.

What would you do

A contractor submits an RFI suggesting a cheaper substitute for a specified product. How do you evaluate it?

What they are checking: Whether they protect design intent and performance while staying open to reasonable savings.

The design lead changes direction two weeks before a permit set is due. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can absorb late change calmly and tell leadership honestly what is realistic.

About the work

How do you develop a wall section or facade detail so it handles water, air, thermal movement and fire?

What they are checking: Whether they understand building science well enough to detail an envelope that actually performs.

How do you coordinate your drawings with structural and MEP consultants, and how do you catch clashes?

What they are checking: Whether they manage coordination as an ongoing process rather than one review before issue.

What building codes and accessibility standards have you worked with most, and how do you stay current?

What they are checking: Whether their code knowledge is real and kept up to date rather than assumed.

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The full job description

As published by Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

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. 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 • Actively leads distinct portions of a project with periodic supervision by Project Leadership. • Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at an overall project level. • Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations. • Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients 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 distinct portions of projects. • Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas. Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office. • Demonstrates an intermediate understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques. • Able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies. Identifies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases. • Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from Project Leadership. • Guides and teaches less experienced staff. Leadership Responsibilities • Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential. • In collaboration with team members, contributes to a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule. • Actively engages in internal professional development opportunities. • Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge. • Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures. • Protects SOM from financial and legal risk. Minimum Qualifications • Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field. • Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. • Licensed Architect; LEED accreditation preferred. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Demonstrates proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and Adobe Suite. • Proficiency in Google Workspace. 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: Inquire about our 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 $70,000 to $83,000. Our Culture Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. 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 positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, 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.

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