Jobs › Skidmore Owings & Merrill

Intermediate Designer - Architecture

Skidmore Owings & Merrill · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Feb 13, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Skidmore Owings & Merrill

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

Pick one project from your portfolio and walk me through how the idea developed, including the options you threw away.

What they are checking: Whether they can explain design thinking clearly and show the reasoning behind their choices.

What was your specific role on that project, and what parts were someone else's work?

What they are checking: Honesty about authorship, which tells the firm what level of work they can actually hand over.

Tell me about a time a structural or MEP requirement forced a design change. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they treat engineering input as part of the design rather than an obstacle to it.

Describe how you check your own drawings before they go to a senior person for review.

What they are checking: Whether they own quality themselves or rely on reviewers to catch their mistakes.

What's something you've taught yourself in the last year to get better at your work?

What they are checking: Whether they actually pursue new skills on their own, which the posting names as a core value.

What would you do

A senior designer gives you feedback that you think is wrong. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute ideas in a meritocracy of ideas while still respecting the design lead's call.

You have a client presentation in two days and the drawings aren't coordinated. How do you prioritize?

What they are checking: Whether they can triage under deadline and know what a client must see versus what can wait.

About the work

Which tools do you use to go from concept to documentation, like Revit, Rhino or Grasshopper, and where are you strongest?

What they are checking: Whether their software skills match the production work an intermediate designer is expected to carry.

How do you set up a Revit model so it holds up when the team grows and the drawing set gets large?

What they are checking: Whether they think about model structure and team workflow, not only their own sheets.

How do you think about sustainability at the scale of a single design decision, like a facade or a floor plate?

What they are checking: Whether sustainability shows up in their actual design moves rather than as a slogan.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Skidmore Owings & Merrill from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

SOM, one of the most influential design firms in the world, is seeking innovative, creative, independent, and critical thinkers who aspire to the highest standards of excellence. Join our collaborative design practice as an Intermediate Designer - Architecture for the opportunity to build a strong and thriving career. 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 • Contributes to the development of distinct portions of a project with regular supervision by Project Leadership. Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at a task-specific level. • Produces and coordinates presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations. • Effectively communicates internally 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 a portion of a project. • Actively collaborates at a project team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas. • Demonstrates an intermediate understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques. Is able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies. Effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases. • Manages time and workload to meet project task deadlines and commitments with regular interaction and direction from Project Leadership. Shares knowledge with less experienced staff. Minimum Qualifications • Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field. • Minimum 2 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. • Professional licensure process is in progress; 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 $63,000 to $72,000. 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 and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, 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.

Apply at Skidmore Owings & Merrill