Architectural Designer Job - Armstrong Ceilings

 Primary location: Chicago, Illinois 
Relocation offered: No 
Employment status: Full-Time 
Travel: <10% 
Non-compete: No 

The estimated base salary range for this role is “$68,000 to $74,200” per year.  
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

 ​What does it mean to work at Turf Design, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

A benefits package includin medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, product discount programs and many more.
Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
A casual work environment where we have a recognition program for our team, and service awards. You will also be able to make the most of our fitness center and lunchtime cafe. 
A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results. 
​

Reporting to the Manager, Design Services, the Architectural Specialties (AS) CAD Designer collaborates with clients, contractors, and the Design and Production Teams to drafting interior product solutions at an architectural scale with the company’s premium and standard product lines. The incumbent works from construction documents to translate the client’s initial drawings into something that can be easily manufactured and installed while evaluating and rationalizing design intent. 

What’s in it for you!

• Ability to network across the company and learn from different departments.
• Dedicated training and development to help you grow in your role.
• Collaboration and an open friendly team environment.
   

What you’ll do

• Develops drawings and documentation through the lifecycle of projects from Design to Engineering and stewards the drop into Production. 
• Owns projects from assignment through to install, ensuring successful implementation at every stage and clean handoffs. Works together with the various departments as needed and coordinates time and project need with teammates. 
• Communicates schedule and project needs to the Manager, Design Services to ensure accurate loading and scheduling, while also managing schedules and project timelines. 
• Always delivers quality work.

Projects 

• Verifies product layout and use; communicates with the various project and process leads to ensure accuracy. 
• Follows company design drawing standards; creates all project drawings, drafting, and documents for Design, Engineering, and Production. 
• Seeks peer review for projects to evaluate and verify product use.  
• Gets involved in client meetings with the Manager, Design Services to discuss feedback and maintain product requirements. 
• Packages the complete product specification for Design, Engineering, and Production. 
• Advocates and balances the client's best interests with the company’s interests. 
• Ensures projects stay on track and on time at all phases. 
• Develops custom design solutions and products for custom and boutique projects in tandem with the Manager, Design Services.  Serves as a maker who validates through prototyping all proposed custom solutions and their feasibility for mass manufacture. 
• Seeks peer review for projects and customizations to evaluate and verify product use.  
• Works on internal special projects in tandem with the project or process leads.  
• Follows best practices in digital housekeeping of project files and documentation, ensuring accuracy and organization. 
• Maintains a physical presence and assistance on the Production and Assembly floor at the Gilberts facility as scheduled. 
• Contributes to a positive and productive studio /workspace environment, actively finding ways to build upon or contribute to our studio culture. 
• Works on internal product development or special projects in tandem with the project or process leads.  
   

Travel:  Minimal; less than 5% 

What will make you successful

• Knowledge of Windows Applications, including Microsoft Office and operating systems.  
• Comfortable in high tolerance CAD/CAM production via CNC, as well as the production of shop drawings. Knowledge of digital fabrication techniques as well as CNC and/or prototyping experience is necessary. 
• Ability to read and translate construction documents, ideation and form development, knowledge of materials and manufacturing process, firsthand experience in mock-ups, prototyping & mechanical aptitude.  
• Able to prioritize and manage project deadlines.  
• Proficient in Rhino 3D
• Excellent communication and people skills; collaborator.  
• Initiative-taker with a strong ability to multi-task and juggle multiple responsibilities. 
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in architecture, industrial design, or a related field. 
• Minimum 1-3 years’ (Level I) experience in architecture and/or product design.  
   

What will make you stand out

• Familiarity with Grasshopper/Dynamo, Revit/AutoCAD preferred.  Visualization skills in vRay, 3DS Max, etc. Adobe CC (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Experience with fabrication

Physical and Mental Demands 

• The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  

Work Environment  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 

• Office Environment – This position operates in a professional office environment and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. No PPE is required. 
• Plant Environment – This position operates in a manufacturing setting and can be subject to extreme cold and hot temperatures; uneven walking surfaces with cords, tools, and other obstacles; intermittent loud noises; and dusty or dirty conditions. Required PPE includes hard hat (when required), safety glasses, earplugs, steel toe/composite boots, and fall protection.

Why should you join Turf Design, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions in the Americas. With approximately $1B in revenue, AWI has about 2,800 employees and a manufacturing network of fifteen facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 150 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.
We are committed to:

• Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
• Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
• Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
• Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
• Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

Armstrong is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce.  As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at  and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!