Project Associate - Chicago, IL

Project Associate – Chicago, IL
Northworks Architects & Planners

Northworks Architects & Planners is seeking a Project Associate with 2–5 years of experience to join our Chicago studio. This full-time, in-office role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career designers looking to advance their careers in a collaborative, design-focused environment.

As Northworks’ largest office, the Chicago studio offers broad exposure to a range of custom residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, both local and national. Project Associates play an active role in all phases of design and benefit from cross-office collaboration and mentorship within a highly creative and professional environment.

• Assist in the development of architectural designs and documentation across all phases of design
• Produce construction documents, presentation drawings, and renderings
• Participate in client meetings, internal design reviews, and project planning sessions
• Collaborate with Northworks studios across the country as part of a unified team.

• 2–5 years of experience in a professional architecture or design setting
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or Design from an accredited university
• Proficiency in Revit is required
• Experience with Enscape, Lumion, Sketch Up, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Strong graphic communication skills and the ability to clearly express design ideas visually and verbally
• Solid understanding of architectural detailing, construction methods, and documentation standards
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and deadlines
• Eagerness to grow professionally through mentorship, project ownership, and cross-office collaboration
• Must be able to work full-time, in-person at our Chicago office

As the largest office in the firm, Northworks Chicago offers a fast-paced, collaborative environment with exposure to high-end custom projects across various regions. Our team values creativity, mentorship, and shared design exploration—whether in the studio, on job sites, or during regular team reviews and events.

You’ll also benefit from working with a talented national network of architects and designers across our other studios, contributing to a cohesive and supportive firm culture.