At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects from concept to completion, ensuring quality and sustainability.
- Company: Join a global leader in architecture with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Mentorship, global exposure, and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Diverse workplace that values creativity and offers a platform for your ideas.
- Why this job: Shape the future of design and make a real impact on iconic projects worldwide.
- Qualifications: Licensed architect with 5+ years experience in large-scale projects and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a collective of over 1,200 architects, designers, engineers, and planners working across studios in London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Melbourne, Riyadh and Dubai. We are seeking to hire our next generation of Technical Design Leaders in the SOM London Studio to shape the future of global design — innovative leaders who can drive design ideas and deliver our most ambitious global projects.
At the forefront of transformative architecture, we are a design-driven studio guided by a shared commitment to design excellence, sustainability and innovation. Our open, collaborative culture empowers ideas to thrive across architecture, engineering, and urban design.
Your Impact
As a senior technical design voice in the studio, you’ll shape projects from concept to completion—integrating strategic vision with design excellence to lead interdisciplinary teams toward bold, future-focused outcomes.
You Will:
- Champion the design process from early concept through delivery, ensuring constructability, performance, compliance and exceptional quality.
- Lead cross-disciplinary reviews and coordination to resolve complex challenges with creativity and clarity.
- Mentor the next generation of talent and contribute to a dynamic, design-led culture.
- Advance design resolution through crafting and detailing to deliver timeless, high-performing buildings.
Who You Are
- A licensed architect and Revit user with 5+ years experience leading packages for large-scale, complex projects across all design stages.
- A passionate advocate for impactful and sustainable design.
- A natural leader who energises and inspires interdisciplinary teams to achieve design excellence.
- An articulate communicator — able to express design intent through documentation, dialogue, and publication.
- Able to develop an active design voice who can promote thought leadership, mentorship, and advocacy across the London studio and the wider Firmwide design community.
Why Join Us?
As part of our international studio network, you’ll collaborate across offices, disciplines, and cultures, engaging with diverse perspectives to deliver design excellence on a global scale. We don’t just offer a role, we will help you define your own career framework. We will support your growth as a design leader through mentorship, global exposure, and access to the firm's most forward-thinking leadership. At SOM your ambition is matched by opportunity, and your ideas have a platform to influence the built environment at every scale.
At SOM, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We believe an inclusive environment benefits our employees, our firm, and our community, while also enriching and challenging our own thinking about design. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
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.
Senior Technical Designer in London employer: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
At Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in our London studio. As a Senior Technical Designer, you will not only lead transformative projects but also benefit from unparalleled mentorship and career growth opportunities within a diverse and inclusive environment. Join us to shape the future of global design while making a meaningful impact in architecture and urban planning.
Contact Details:
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Designer in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
