Careers
We believe great employees make great companies. When we talk about recruiting the best and brightest, we’re talking about people who thrive on the excitement of collaboration and the discovery of new opportunities. They like setting their own goals and working hard to achieve them. Our employees are self-motivated and are passionate about what they do, passionate about creating something that matters.
Most design firms, given their immediate project workload, hire on an as needed basis. We don’t. We make it a priority to recruit talented people based upon our long-term vision of how the prospective employee will contribute and prosper within our culture. By taking the time to strategically fill “career paths” instead of the immediate needs of a single project, both the firm and the new employee benefit from a lasting commitment.
Design Collective, Inc, is a nationally-recognized and Baltimore and Chicago-based architecture, planning, landscape architecture and interior design firm that offers competitive salaries, an Employee Stock-Ownership Plan (ESOP), voluntary 401K, above-standard company paid contributions towards medical and RX coverage, licensure/registration reimbursement plan, professional development, flexible work opportunities and networking support. The firm maintains a core of well-respected public and private sector clients and a portfolio of award-winning projects in a variety of high-performing, growth-oriented market sectors.
Current Opportunities
Architect Level I/II
We are looking for energetic architects with 3 -7 years’ experience. Projects include mixed-use (residential, retail, office) and/or higher education.
Candidates will be highly adept working within a team-oriented studio environment. Candidates must have a professional degree in architecture (Masters preferred), a high level of proficiency in Revit and be well versed in sustainable design and construction documentation.
Depending on level of experience, candidates should be- or be able to show progress towards becoming a registered and LEED accredited.
Please submit resume and portfolio/samples of your work to HR@designcollective.com, and enter Architect I/II in the subject line.
Project Managers & Architects
Design Collective is looking for Project Managers and Architects with two or more years of experience to work on some of the firm's most notable projects including several high-rise, mixed-use, multi-family, commercial office, student housing, science and technology and academic facilities. These include several multi-year and multi-million dollar new construction and renovation projects for clients like Howard Hughes Corporation, Kettler, LCOR, Caves Valley Partners, COPT, Cornell University, University of South Florida, University of the Sciences, University System of Maryland, Baltimore City and Baltimore County Public Schools.
Project Architects must be adept at developing and guiding design concepts to successful implementation within a cross-disciplinary and team-oriented studio environment. Candidates must possess a professional degree in architecture or interior design and have a high level of proficiency in Revit, with a proven ability to set up projects and assemble construction documents in Revit. Preference will be given to candidates that possess good communication skills and that are well versed in construction documentation, demonstrating a strong design rigor, technical proficiency and in-depth knowledge of relevant building codes, construction technologies and materials.
Project Managers must be adept at leading multi-disciplinary teams, managing consultants, leading presentations and working directly with clients in all phases of project delivery. Candidates must be well-versed in technical detailing, sustainable design and overall project documentation, have strong verbal and leadership skills, a professional degree in architecture and experience managing Revit-based projects. Preference will be given to candidates with 5 or more years of experience.
Please submit a resume & portfolio/samples of your work to hr@designcollective.com and enter PM/PA in the subject line.
Interior Designer
We are looking for an energetic Interior Designer with 2-8 years or more of experience in commercial or hospitality interior design to join our growing team. Our work consists of a variety of project types including corporate workplace, multi-family housing & educational projects. Candidates will have experience with client and consultant interaction, managing projects and developing design and construction documentation within a team-oriented studio environment.
A strong design sensibility, attention to detail and an understanding of materiality and construction are desired. Candidates must have a professional degree in interior design and/or interior architecture and be proficient at Revit. Experience using Sketch-Up, Photoshop and/or InDesign is a plus.
Please submit a resume & portfolio to hr@designcollective.com and enter INTERIORS in the subject line.
Urban Designer
Design Collective is looking for a talented, self-motivated design professional, with entry- to mid-level experience, to join our Urban Design studio in Baltimore and focus on urban design/planning projects. A degree in Architecture, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture (BS or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university) is a requirement, as is a portfolio. Importantly, candidates should have a passion for planning and designing livable, engaging, and sustainable places at a variety of scales.
Our Urban Design studio’s projects range from sites as small as a few city blocks to several hundred acres or more. Our work focuses on placemaking, retrofitting our suburbs and corridors, reinvesting in our neighborhoods and cities, and creating vibrant, walkable, mixed-use places that are dynamic, equitable, and diverse. The urban design position will collaborate with our in-house, expert architects, landscape architects, and graphic designers and support our team on larger, more complex planning and urban design projects supplemented with market, economic, civil, transportation, and/or environmental sub-consultants. The position requires support in the preparation of rigorous context analysis, engagement with diverse area stakeholders, and evaluation of economic, historic, cultural, social, and environmental assets of a place.
Our planning and urban design expertise supports private developer clients as well as public sector agencies, including cities and towns, transit agencies, planning departments, housing authorities, MPOs, and non-profit organizations. Our plans have guided the transformation of aging commercial corridors, revitalization of disinvested neighborhoods, phased implementation of mixed-use and transit-oriented development, and rebuilding of our cities and urban districts.
Candidates must be comfortable working on a variety of project types, in various settings, within a comprehensive team-oriented approach, and with deadline-oriented deliverables.
To see some of our recent projects, visit our website at https://design-collective-2023.dev.fastspot.com/files/dci-planning-ud-2021-forwebsite.pdf
Requirements:
· A degree in Architecture, Urban Design, or Landscape Architecture (BS or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university) and portfolio;
· Outstanding planning, design, analytical, graphic, writing, and verbal skills; and
· Demonstrated proficiency in CAD, Adobe Creative Suite; and SketchUp (proficiency in GIS and Lumion is
preferred, but not required).
· Licensure or Certification (AIA, AICP, ASLA, LEED-AP, etc.) is preferred, but not required.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include the following, based on the candidate’s level of experience:
· Preparing existing conditions analysis, plan diagrams, conceptual site plans, massing models, street sections, presentations, and charrette/workshop materials;
· Preparing and formatting report and design guidelines graphics, text, and documents;
· Attending site visits;
· Supporting our team and the project manager in coordination with our in-house team and/or subconsultants;
· Supporting community engagement and facilitation; and
· Active involvement in client and team communications and meetings.
Interested candidates should send a resume and portfolio* (or online link) to: HR@designcollective.com and enter Urban Designer in the subject line.
*Submissions without a portfolio will not be reviewed.
Landscape Designer / Landscape Architect
We are looking for multiple landscape designer/architect positions to strengthen and support our Urban Design and Landscape Architecture (UDLA) studio. Join our energetic team and work alongside creative landscape architects, urban designers, architects, and interior architects committed to designing beautiful and innovative environments for our public and private sector clients.
The ideal candidate(s) must be well-rounded and have passion for great design, understand the construction documentation process and its importance to design, have 3D modeling experience (SketchUp or similar) and must be interested in working in a dynamic and collaborative environment. The selected candidate(s) will have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of project types and gain industry experience in a multi-disciplinary atmosphere. Planting design and horticulture experience is also a plus.
This position is for the go-getter. The selected candidate must be willing to take ownership of their work, willing to generate design concepts and offer ideas to complex problems and manage project workflow and documentation.
Landscape Position ONE : 1 to 4 years’ work experience; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture; AutoCAD/Sketch Up/Adobe CC experience required. Excellent hand and/or digital graphics, and strong communication skills are desired and will assist in the full range of responsibilities expected of the position.
Landscape Position TWO : 4-8 years’ work experience; Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture; AutoCAD/Sketch Up/Adobe CC experience required. Experience managing clients and complex projects, design consultants and project work flow.
Please submit resume and portfolio/samples of your work to hr@designcollective.com and enter Landscape in the subject line.
If the above opportunities are of interest to you or you feel your current position is holding you back, then you may be the ideal candidate for us. Our various studios are eager to expand our portfolios and looking for someone willing to take the next step in his/her career.
Continuing Education
Each year the firm sets aside a significant amount of resources for continuing education. Any employee can request to attend relevant professional or education classes, seminars or conferences to advance their knowledge or obtain the credits required by the various State Registration Boards for maintaining current licensure.
In addition to outside programs, Design Collective has a well-established in-house series of educational programs for all employees to attend. These include our weekly “Lunch and Learn” sessions, the Design Collective University seminars, monthly construction site visits, and our “First Friday” program, where employees can discuss projects, the profession, and life!