Senior Designer Jobs in Illinois
Senior Designer jobs in Illinois are active across a wide range of industries, with demand concentrated in advertising, consumer packaged goods, architecture and interiors, and digital product design at every level from mid-career through principal. Chicago anchors the market by a wide margin, with secondary clusters in Evanston and Schaumburg where corporate campuses and regional studios operate. Major employers with a lasting presence hiring senior designers include McDonald's, Hyatt Hotels, and Leo Burnett. The most sought-after specializations in Illinois are UX and product design, brand identity, and environmental and experiential design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Senior Designer JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 70+ Senior Designer jobs
- This position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your drafting skills, while working in a multi-disciplined team environment with other designers and/or engineers in the preparation of design drawings based on design input
- You will have the opportunity to apply your computer-aided drafting skills, while receiving hands-on training in 3D design software environments.
- You will be involved in creating master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions
- You may accompany and assist experienced designers on walkdowns at client facilities to gather information for your design project
- While interfacing with vendors and construction contractors, you may be given the opportunity to explain your drawings so appropriate design adjustments can be made
- An Associate's Degree in a technical area including drafting or a high school diploma and equivalent technical design experience
- Ten (10) or more years of design experience
- Advanced drafting experience using standard computer drafting tools (i.e MicroStation)
- Ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of the computer
- Knowledge in MicroStation
- Ability to multi-task from project to project
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of technical plans, drawings, and models
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- This position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your drafting skills, while working in a multi-disciplined team environment with other designers and/or engineers in the preparation of design drawings based on design input
- You will have the opportunity to apply your computer-aided drafting skills, while receiving hands-on training in 3D design software environments.
- You will be involved in creating master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions
- You may accompany and assist experienced designers on walkdowns at client facilities to gather information for your design project
- While interfacing with vendors and construction contractors, you may be given the opportunity to explain your drawings so appropriate design adjustments can be made
- An Associate's Degree in a technical area including drafting or a high school diploma and equivalent technical design experience
- Ten (10) or more years of design experience
- Advanced drafting experience using standard computer drafting tools (i.e MicroStation)
- Ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of the computer
- Knowledge in MicroStation
- Ability to multi-task from project to project
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of technical plans, drawings, and models
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 70 Senior Designer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Designer JobsSenior Designer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Designer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy16
- CB&I1
- IDEO1
- Levy1
- NORR1
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Manufacturing
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Medical Devices
- Technology & Software
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior designer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, industrial design, or a related design discipline
- Five or more years of professional design experience with a strong portfolio
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and relevant prototyping tools
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor junior designers on a team
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional partners including marketing, product, and engineering
- Strong presentation and communication skills for stakeholder-facing design reviews
Senior Designer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior designer in Illinois?
Reaching a senior designer role in Illinois typically requires a bachelor's degree in graphic design, UX, industrial design, or a related field, followed by several years of progressively responsible studio or in-house experience. Illinois has no state-issued license for most design specializations, so advancement depends on portfolio depth, demonstrated project ownership, and peer recognition. Designers working in architecture-adjacent interiors may pursue NCIDQ certification, which Illinois recognizes for licensed interior designers through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Which companies hire senior designers in Illinois?
Employers hiring senior designers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, CB&I, and IDEO, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's deep concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters, major advertising agencies, and consumer brand studios in the Chicago metropolitan area means senior design talent is in consistent demand across a broad mix of corporate and agency environments.
Which Illinois cities have the most senior designer jobs?
Chicago, Oak Brook, and Warrenville have the most senior designer openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to the headquarters of major consumer brands, large advertising and design agencies, and a dense cluster of tech and fintech employers, while suburban markets like Schaumburg and Evanston reflect the design teams embedded in large corporate campuses and regional creative studios based outside the city core.
Are there remote senior designer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many fields. About 78% of senior designer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on digital tools and screen-based collaboration. The most remote-friendly specializations are UX and product design, where deliverables are entirely digital, while experiential, environmental, and production-focused design roles lean toward on-site or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a senior designer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is building a strong portfolio and starting in an associate or junior designer role at an Illinois agency or in-house team. Large Chicago employers like Leo Burnett, Publicis, and Morningstar bring on junior designers through entry-level programs, and many architecture and interiors firms hire design assistants who work toward NCIDQ eligibility over time. Candidates from adjacent roles such as marketing coordinator, art director assistant, or production artist frequently transition into formal design tracks, and completing a certificate program at an institution like the School of the Art Institute of Chicago strengthens an application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to senior designer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to senior designer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across industries and experience levels. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 70 Senior Designer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Senior Designer Jobs