Project Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL
Project Designer jobs in Chicago are concentrated in the Loop, River North, and the Fulton Market District, where architecture firms, interior design studios, and product development companies anchor steady hiring. Employers active right now include Sargent & Lundy, GFT, and Schuler Shook. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Project Designer jobs
Join a growing team as an Electrical Design Engineer in our Chicago, IL office! This is a hybrid position.
At GFT, the electrical team is dedicated to creating efficient, innovative solutions for electrical systems, ensuring comfort and sustainability in every project. From energy-efficient lighting and power systems to advanced electrical vehicle and photovoltaic system designs, our team contributes to a resilient and sustainable built environment, pushing the boundaries of building system design and optimizing performance while addressing the unique needs of each facility. Explore some of our signature projects.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include electrical design for various public and private sector facilities projects including transit stations, aviation, industrial, commercial, schools, federal, state and local government and institutional projects regionally. Prepare electrical design criteria documents, electrical design directive drawings, electrical system calculations, electrical system technical analyses, electrical system contract design drawings, detailed specifications and performance-based specifications for electrical power distribution and related systems.
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Performing site survey of existing system conditions for interface of new designs with existing electrical and life safety systems.
- Design of electrical systems including low/medium voltage power distribution, standby/emergency generation, interior/exterior lighting for buildings, low voltage systems such as access control, security and fire alarm systems
- Construction assistance including electrical shop drawing review, contractor relations, and site surveys
- Lead and participate in meetings clients, state agencies, city agencies, utility service representatives and project teams
- Deliver projects on time and within client budgets
- Deliver projects in compliance with client and company quality control procedures and engineering guidelines
- Participate on project teams in an active production role
- Preparation of project specifications
- Preparation of electrical construction cost estimates
- Daily interaction and collaboration on cross-functional teams across multiple disciplines
- Coordination and verification of as-built drawings
- Perform quality work that promotes client retention
- Responsible for the development of reports and design documents, including electrical floor plans, equipment schematic diagrams, equipment block diagrams, electrical load calculations, short circuit studies, protective device coordination studies, and arc flash studies.
- Minimum bachelor’s in electrical engineering
- 5+ years of progressive experience in the engineering and design of electrical systems
- Electrical power design experience is required
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) are preferred
- Firm understanding of the National Electrical Code, other NFPA codes/standards and energy codes
- Experienced with facility site surveys to document existing conditions, reports, feasibility studies, design, specifications, cost estimating, and construction activity support.
- Proficient on AutoCAD and Revit
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
:
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
Location: Chicago, IL
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time
Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location
#LI-Hybrid
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Join a growing team as an Electrical Design Engineer in our Chicago, IL office! This is a hybrid position.
At GFT, the electrical team is dedicated to creating efficient, innovative solutions for electrical systems, ensuring comfort and sustainability in every project. From energy-efficient lighting and power systems to advanced electrical vehicle and photovoltaic system designs, our team contributes to a resilient and sustainable built environment, pushing the boundaries of building system design and optimizing performance while addressing the unique needs of each facility. Explore some of our signature projects.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include electrical design for various public and private sector facilities projects including transit stations, aviation, industrial, commercial, schools, federal, state and local government and institutional projects regionally. Prepare electrical design criteria documents, electrical design directive drawings, electrical system calculations, electrical system technical analyses, electrical system contract design drawings, detailed specifications and performance-based specifications for electrical power distribution and related systems.
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Performing site survey of existing system conditions for interface of new designs with existing electrical and life safety systems.
- Design of electrical systems including low/medium voltage power distribution, standby/emergency generation, interior/exterior lighting for buildings, low voltage systems such as access control, security and fire alarm systems
- Construction assistance including electrical shop drawing review, contractor relations, and site surveys
- Lead and participate in meetings clients, state agencies, city agencies, utility service representatives and project teams
- Deliver projects on time and within client budgets
- Deliver projects in compliance with client and company quality control procedures and engineering guidelines
- Participate on project teams in an active production role
- Preparation of project specifications
- Preparation of electrical construction cost estimates
- Daily interaction and collaboration on cross-functional teams across multiple disciplines
- Coordination and verification of as-built drawings
- Perform quality work that promotes client retention
- Responsible for the development of reports and design documents, including electrical floor plans, equipment schematic diagrams, equipment block diagrams, electrical load calculations, short circuit studies, protective device coordination studies, and arc flash studies.
- Minimum bachelor’s in electrical engineering
- 5+ years of progressive experience in the engineering and design of electrical systems
- Electrical power design experience is required
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) are preferred
- Firm understanding of the National Electrical Code, other NFPA codes/standards and energy codes
- Experienced with facility site surveys to document existing conditions, reports, feasibility studies, design, specifications, cost estimating, and construction activity support.
- Proficient on AutoCAD and Revit
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
:
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
Location: Chicago, IL
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time
Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location
#LI-Hybrid
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
See All 16 Project Designer Jobs in Chicago
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Find Project Designer JobsProject Designer Job Market in Chicago
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
Project Designer Jobs in Chicago: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a project designer job in Chicago?
The clearest path into a project designer role in Chicago is targeting the city's architecture, commercial interiors, and product development sectors, which drive the bulk of local openings. Firms concentrated in the Loop and Fulton Market District hire most consistently. Candidates with a strong portfolio that reflects Chicago's dense commercial real estate and hospitality renovation market stand out, as do those with proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, or similar tools valued by Chicago's mid-to-large design practices.
Which companies hire project designers in Chicago?
Employers hiring project designers in Chicago right now include Sargent & Lundy, GFT, and Schuler Shook, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Chicago's hiring mix includes global architecture firms, boutique interiors studios, and in-house design teams at large corporations and hospitality groups headquartered downtown.
Are there remote project designer jobs in Chicago?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role. Project designer positions tied to physical construction, site visits, or hands-on fabrication are rarely fully remote, while those focused on planning, documentation, and client coordination are more compatible with hybrid schedules. About 50% of project designer openings tied to Chicago are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with the most flexible arrangements found in product design and interior programming roles rather than construction-phase positions.
How can I get a project designer job in Chicago with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Chicago is an internship or junior designer role at one of the city's many mid-size architecture or commercial interiors firms, which tend to hire more entry-level talent than large national practices. Chicago's strong hospitality and retail renovation market also creates openings for junior project designers assisting on fast-turnaround builds. A portfolio built through school projects, freelance work, or contributions to smaller local studios carries significant weight with Chicago hiring managers even without formal work history.
Which industries hire the most project designers in Chicago?
Most project designer openings in Chicago sit in Construction & Real Estate, Consulting & Professional Services, and Energy, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Chicago's role as a national hub for commercial real estate development, hospitality renovation, and corporate headquarters relocation keeps these sectors hiring project designers at a consistent clip year-round.
Related Jobs in Illinois
See All 16 Project Designer Jobs in Chicago
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