Design Systems Associate II

Position Summary:

We are looking for architects and designers who love the technical side of the work; people who find as much satisfaction in a clean, complete drawing set as they do in a great design. The Design Systems Associate II is a senior technical role within the Innovation Studio, responsible for leading CAD production across complex projects and taking real ownership of Revit as our pilot projects come online.

This is not a role where you execute someone else’s vision of how things should work. You will shape it. You will lead CAD documentation on our most complex projects, build out our Revit infrastructure from the ground up, and help define how this firm uses emerging technology. If you are someone who geeks out on systems, cares deeply about how buildings and spaces are documented, and wants to work somewhere that takes that seriously, this is the role for you.

Today the work is approximately 70% AutoCAD and 30% Revit. That balance will shift as we grow, and you will be the person driving it. Architecture and interior design backgrounds are both welcome here. What matters most is that you bring technical depth, a builder’s mindset, and a genuine passion for getting the documentation right.

Key Responsibilities:

Construction Documentation + Drawing Sets

• Lead CAD production on complex, multi-phase projects with minimal supervision
• Own drawing sets on Revit pilot projects as they come online; anticipate project needs and drive documentation forward across both platforms
• Conduct thorough QA/QC reviews on all CAD and Revit documentation; begin mentoring junior staff on QC best practices and firm standards
• Regularly contribute and refine CAD details; build Revit-native details on pilot project work and flag outdated library entries for retirement

Revit + BIM:

• Take ownership of Revit on pilot projects as they come online: templates, families, shared parameters, and model standards
• Build and refine Revit templates, families, and shared parameters; review and QC team Revit output
• Lead the firm’s Revit buildout alongside the Design Systems Lead, driving adoption as new projects come online

Visualization + Technology:

• Provide guidance to junior team members on best practices across visualization tools including SketchUp, Enscape, and Photoshop
• Develop proficiency across the Innovation Studio’s full technology stack: Monday.com, CompanyCam, Arcsynth AI, and emerging tools and contribute to standards across all platforms
• Evaluate emerging AI tools relevant to interior design workflows and bring specific recommendations to the Design Systems Lead for firmwide consideration

Automation + AI:

• Pilot Dynamo scripts and AI tools on active CAD and Revit projects; identify repetitive tasks that are candidates for automation across both platforms
• Share findings with the team and escalate strong candidates to the Design Systems Lead for firmwide rollout

Construction Admin, Coordination + Site:

• Support teams in RFIs, VE, and submittals across active CAD projects and Revit pilots; exhibit ability to propose solutions
• Proactively verify square footage changes to identify scope creep early; lead portions of coordination calls and provide clear, organized follow-up
• Coordinate and participate in on-site meetings and site analyses; ensure all information is accurately captured, documented, and distributed

Team + Mentorship:

• Actively mentor staff on CAD production, Revit workflows, and firm standards
• Contribute to onboarding and hiring feedback; adhere to and actively suggest improvements to firm standards across both platforms

Project Admin + Profitability:

• Exhibit thorough understanding of contracted scope; identify scope creep and recognize opportunities for additional services
• Adhere to allocated budgets and hour allowances; proactively alert the Design Systems Lead when scope creep or schedule risk is apparent
• Effectively prioritize tasks, forecast timelines, and operate within allowable hours across CAD and Revit projects

Qualifications:

• 4–6 years in technical documentation, CAD production, or a related role within an architecture or interior design firm
• Expert AutoCAD · Strong Revit proficiency required · Architecture or interior design background welcomed
• AutoCAD (expert required), Revit (proficient required), SketchUp, Enscape, Photoshop, Monday.com, CompanyCam, Arcsynth AI
• Clear written and verbal communication with design teams, project leads, and consultants; comfortable leading coordination calls and project meetings
• Ability to manage drawing sets across multiple active projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail and file organization
• Comfort evaluating and applying emerging tools including Dynamo, AI workflows, and automation in real project contexts; curiosity about where the industry is headed
• Architecture or interior design degree; comfort producing and reading construction drawings, millwork details, and working from redlines and design sketches
• Works closely with designers, project leads, and the Design Systems Lead to ensure documentation accurately reflects design intent across both platforms

Who You Are:

• An architect or designer at heart who has found a real passion for the technical side of the work: documentation, systems, and how buildings actually get built
• 4–6 years of experience in architecture or interior design, with expert AutoCAD skills and active Revit proficiency
• Someone who gets excited about building infrastructure templates, libraries, workflows not just delivering projects
• Detail-oriented and proactive you anticipate project needs before they become problems and hold the line on quality without being asked
• A clear communicator who works well with designers and project leads you can translate between design intent and technical execution
• Curious about emerging technology you follow where the tools are going and want to be part of putting them to work in a real studio environment
• Collaborative and generous with your knowledge you mentor junior staff and share what you know without being asked
• Comfortable in a high-end interior design environment with a design background you bring rigor and you adapt quickly to a fast-moving project studio

What Success Looks Like in Year One:

• CAD production is consistently expert-level, on schedule, and requires minimal QC intervention from above
• Revit pilot projects are owned and delivered templates, families, and models are accurate and team-ready
• Design Technician I and II staff are noticeably stronger mentorship is consistent, practical, and effective
• The detail library is growing with quality CAD contributions and first Revit-native entries
• Emerging AI and automation tools have been evaluated and at least one recommendation has been advanced to the Design Systems Lead
• Monday.com reflects real-time project status across all active work no gaps
• The Design Systems Lead receives proactive flags on scope, schedule, and quality risks never surprises
• Both platforms are being used with confidence, and the team’s Revit comfort is visibly growing

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60613