Designer I

About Us

Perkins Eastman is a global architectural design practice with expertise in all aspects of the built environment, working at all scales and every level of detail. With studios in 26 locations worldwide, we design for people, aiming to leave a lasting and positive impact on the human experience and the world we inhabit. This is captured in our ethos "human by design". We believe design is a collaborative art and are structured as an integrated practice of passionate professionals committed to delivering the best design for our clients. Our team of diverse and complementary talents work together in studios, drawing from relevant expertise across the whole practice to analyze and solve specific design challenges. We have 18 practice areas—cores of expertise—that serve as centers of knowledge and fuel for creative design work. Sustainability is intrinsic to our design approach and an essential ingredient throughout the process, adding valuable insights, ideas, and research. For us, all good design is sustainable.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a creative and design-focused Architectural Designer (Architect I) to join our team in our Chicago office. The ideal candidate is passionate about developing innovative architectural solutions and translating ideas into compelling drawings, layouts, and visual presentations. You will work on projects of moderate size and complexity, applying both conceptual and technical design skills and demonstrating strong critical thinking to create functional and aesthetically engaging spaces. In this role, you will take ownership of key design tasks, including developing architectural drawings, plans, and layouts, conducting planning and occupancy studies, and preparing project specifications. You will analyze design concepts, apply critical and analytical reasoning to evaluate options, and compile and interpret relevant data. Collaboration is central to this position: you will work closely with senior architects and project teams to refine designs, participate in design reviews, and contribute to client presentations. This role is perfect for a designer eager to grow, think critically and creatively, experiment with new ideas, and play an active role in delivering innovative and high-quality architectural solutions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the project team to develop bold, innovative architectural concepts and translate them into drawings, models, and presentations.
• Create schematic proposals, layouts, and 3D design models in Revit or other digital tools, bringing conceptual ideas to life for client review and feedback.
• Explore and test design solutions through hand sketches, diagrams, and iterative modeling, ensuring the design vision is clear and compelling.
• Assist in producing construction drawings and detailing that maintain the integrity of the original design intent.
• Contribute to construction administration by reviewing shop drawings and tracking submittals, ensuring design quality throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop material boards, physical models, and immersive graphic presentations that communicate design intent with clarity and creativity.
• Support projects across all phases—from early conceptual design to construction documents—actively shaping and refining the aesthetic and functional quality of each project.

Requirements

• Bachelor or master’s degree in architecture.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ relevant work experience.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong communication, graphics, organization, technical, and written skills.
• Demonstrated experience in and readiness to lead the design of projects.
• Ability to prioritize and manage design time on multiple projects.
• Proficiency with Revit, Affinity Suite, and other related design software. Rhino, Enscape, and interest in AI-related design software is a plus.
• LEED Accreditation preferred.
• Certification as a licensed professional or on path to licensure.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k Options.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Company-paid holidays.
• Life Insurance.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Professional development opportunities.

Pay

Salary Range: $65,500 to $71,000. Compensation may vary based on job level and geographical work location.

Schedule

PE has a hybrid policy that allows flexibility for employees in managing their working days and hours to cater to diverse needs.