Architect Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Architect visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, where major firms like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, and Perkins&Will maintain large practices. The state's building boom, transit infrastructure investment, and university-trained talent pipeline make Illinois one of the more active states for internationally sponsored architecture roles.
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At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.
Success at SOM Means
- Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.
- Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.
- Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.
- Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.
- Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.
- Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.
Position Responsibilities
- Actively leads distinct portions of a project with periodic supervision by Project Leadership.
- Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at an overall project level.
- Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
- Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
- Creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability. Integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of distinct portions of projects.
- Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas. Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office.
- Demonstrates an intermediate understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
- Able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies. Identifies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
- Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from Project Leadership.
- Guides and teaches less experienced staff.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.
- In collaboration with team members, contributes to a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
- Actively engages in internal professional development opportunities.
- Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
- Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
- Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
- Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Licensed Architect; LEED accreditation preferred.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and Adobe Suite.
- Proficiency in Google Workspace.
Our Benefits:
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development
Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $70,000 to $83,000.
Our Culture
Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.
We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy
Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, 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.

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.
Success at SOM Means
- Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.
- Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.
- Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.
- Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.
- Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.
- Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.
Position Responsibilities
- Actively leads distinct portions of a project with periodic supervision by Project Leadership.
- Exhibits initiative, process innovation, problem solving, and decision quality with a high attention to precision and accuracy at an overall project level.
- Produces, coordinates and/or oversees presentation and contract deliverables such as diagrams, 3D models, drawings, renderings, physical models and animations.
- Effectively communicates internally with project teams and externally with consultants and clients through timely and appropriate written, oral, and visual means.
- Creates and innovates with a strong conceptual design ability. Integrates interdisciplinary criteria to effectively move forward the design of distinct portions of projects.
- Actively collaborates at a project, consultant team, and client team level by critically and constructively evaluating ideas. Contributes to and actively participates within the studio and office.
- Demonstrates an intermediate understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details and construction techniques.
- Able to enrich design concepts through technical strategies. Identifies and effectively uses appropriate tools to design and document at all project phases.
- Manages time and workload of own work efforts and those of others to meet project task deadlines and commitments, with occasional interaction and direction from Project Leadership.
- Guides and teaches less experienced staff.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members’ recognized abilities and potential.
- In collaboration with team members, contributes to a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
- Actively engages in internal professional development opportunities.
- Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
- Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
- Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completion of a professional degree in Architecture or a related field.
- Minimum 4 years of professional experience or equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Licensed Architect; LEED accreditation preferred.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, parametric and rendering software, and Adobe Suite.
- Proficiency in Google Workspace.
Our Benefits:
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development
Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $70,000 to $83,000.
Our Culture
Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.
We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy
Portfolios must be submitted for all design positions (Architecture, Interiors, Planning, 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.
Architect Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Architect Jobs in IllinoisArchitect Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for architects in Illinois?
Chicago-based firms with established international hiring track records include Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, Perkins&Will, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, and VOA Associates. Larger corporate real estate developers and public-sector contractors working on infrastructure projects also appear in Department of Labor disclosure data as sponsors for architecture positions in Illinois.
Which visa types are most common for architect roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for internationally hired architects in Illinois, as architecture qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in architecture. The O-1A is an option for architects with demonstrated national or international recognition. Canadians and Mexicans may qualify under the TN visa, which includes architects as an explicitly listed profession.
Which cities in Illinois have the most architect sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming share of architect sponsorship activity in Illinois. The city's density of large commercial firms, institutional clients, and ongoing mixed-use and transit-oriented development projects drives consistent demand. Evanston and Oak Park have smaller architecture markets tied to university and preservation-focused work, but employer sponsorship is far less common outside of Chicago proper.
How to find architect visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters architecture job listings in Illinois specifically to employers with a history of visa sponsorship, saving you the time of screening firms individually. You can search by city, firm type, or practice area to identify relevant openings. Because sponsorship willingness varies considerably even among large Chicago firms, using a focused tool like Migrate Mate is more reliable than browsing general job boards.
Are there state-specific considerations for architects seeking visa sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois requires architects to be licensed through the Illinois Design Professionals Licensing Board to practice independently, but international candidates hired in salaried roles typically work under a licensed principal while pursuing licensure. The NCARB credential path and IDP requirements apply regardless of visa status. Employers in Illinois must also meet the Department of Labor's prevailing wage requirements for your specific role and metropolitan area when sponsoring an H-1B.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored architect jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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