Design, Creative Design ​/ Digital Art

We are seeking a Design Staff I who is curious, motivated, and eager to begin building their design and technical skills within a collaborative studio environment. This role is a good fit for a recent graduate or early-career professional with up to two years of experience who values learning, teamwork, and meaningful work that serves people and communities.

Who We Hope To Find

Grounded in our shared values of Impact, Craft, and Presence, you may see yourself in some of the following:

• A lover of learning; excited to continue building foundational design and technical skills, actively seeks feedback, and is eager to develop a professional design voice
• A naturally curious thinker; asks thoughtful questions, explores ideas openly, and contributes to shared goals while learning how projects move forward
• A purpose-driven emerging designer; interested in how design decisions impact building occupants, communities, and environmental systems
• A developing professional; growing fluency in tools, materials, and documentation practices while building confidence in applying sound judgment within assigned tasks

What The Role Will Be Doing

Design Staff I supports project teams across all phases of design, working closely with team members and project leadership to contribute to the overall project vision.

Responsibilities include:

• Contributing design ideas, research, and potential solutions as part of a collaborative project team
• Supporting schematic design through construction administration tasks
• Investigating program requirements and spatial relationships
• Preparing 2D and 3D drawings, diagrams, renderings, and graphic assets that communicate design intent
• Assisting with research related to building codes, zoning requirements, and regulatory standards
• Researching architectural products, materials, and detailing strategies
• Supporting the development of design and construction documentation, including plans, sections, elevations, details, and reports
• Preparing visual presentation materials for internal and external meetings
• Participating in site visits, documentation, and construction administration support as needed

The Experience We Are Hoping For

We value diversity in experience and perspective and recognize that early-career paths are not all the same. If you believe you bring relevant skills, curiosity, and alignment with our mission, we encourage you to apply.

• A professional degree in Architecture from a NAAB-accredited program;
  Bachelor’s or Master’s
• 0–2 years of professional experience in an architectural or interior design setting
• Proficiency in Revit and familiarity with Sketch Up, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and In Design
• Ability to communicate design ideas clearly through drawings, diagrams, and visualizations
• Comfort researching building codes and applying standards with guidance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Enthusiasm for the art and science of design and the environmental, social, and systems-based thinking that supports sustainable outcomes

Apply with:

• Resume
• Portfolio Portfolio links are discouraged. Please send your work samples in (1) PDF less than 10MB.

Application window March 1 through March 21
Interviews in April
Offers extended mid to late April or early May
Target start date early June

What We Can Offer

Mahlum has a culture committed to sustainability, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. As an organization focused on projects that benefit our communities, we strive to hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve and foster a supportive environment where people can learn, contribute, and grow.

This is a non-exempt position; starting annual salary ranges are targeted at $60,000 – $68,000/yr ($28.85/hr – $32.69/hr) in Portland; and $63,000 – $74,000/yr ($30.29/hr – $35.58/hr) in Seattle, depending on experience and location. Starting salary is based on the experience stated in your resume and application as part of our pay equity analysis. Mahlum employees are eligible for annual discretionary bonus compensation in addition to their salary.

Non-exempt employees are entitled to Minimum Wage…