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Designer - Architecture

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 the project in your portfolio you're proudest of and tell me what you personally did.

What they are checking: Whether they can describe their own contribution honestly and explain the design thinking behind it.

Tell me about a time you had an idea that wasn't adopted. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can share ideas freely and stay engaged when the team goes another way.

Describe a time you worked with engineers or consultants and had to adjust your design because of their input.

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate across disciplines, which the firm treats as central to its design ethos.

How do you take feedback in a design review when several people are critiquing your work at once?

What they are checking: Whether they can absorb critique calmly and sort what to act on from what is opinion.

Which built project, by anyone, do you think about often, and why does it matter to you?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real design point of view and can explain it in plain words.

What would you do

You're given a task with a vague brief from a busy senior designer. What do you do first?

What they are checking: Whether they ask smart clarifying questions early instead of guessing and losing a day.

You notice an inconsistency between the plans and the sections the night before a deadline. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they flag problems openly and fix them, rather than hope nobody notices.

About the work

How do you move from a hand sketch or a massing model to something the team can build on digitally?

What they are checking: Whether their process connects early design thinking to the tools the team actually uses.

What modeling and drawing software are you most comfortable in, and what do you wish you were better at?

What they are checking: Whether they know their real skill level and where they still need support.

How do you approach designing with climate and daylight in mind on a project you've worked on?

What they are checking: Whether sustainable thinking appears in concrete design choices they can point to.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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. • Professional licensure process is close to completion; 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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