Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kimley-Horn

Location: Orange, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: August 26, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is centered on leveraging graphic design expertise to support proposal development, client-facing materials, and marketing initiatives within a dynamic engineering consulting firm.

• The position requires proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a strong understanding of layout design, branding, and multimedia content creation.

• It involves close collaboration with technical teams (engineers, project managers) to translate complex information into visually compelling graphics.

• The Graphic Designer will contribute to brand consistency across various platforms, including print, digital, and social media, while managing multiple assignments under tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the context of supporting "proposals and reports" and interacting with "engineers, project managers, and technical staff" strongly indicates a role within a GTM (Go-To-Market) or Sales Operations support function, specifically focusing on the creation of high-impact collateral for business development and client engagement. This is not a typical marketing design role but one that directly supports the sales and project delivery process.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design visually engaging covers, templates, layouts, and supporting graphics for technical proposals and client reports, ensuring adherence to corporate and client branding guidelines.

• Develop compelling presentations and multimedia graphics that effectively communicate complex project information and company capabilities.

• Create detailed before-and-after photo simulations and aerial map exhibits to illustrate project scope, impact, and outcomes.

• Produce unique brochures, both print and digital, as well as impactful trade show graphics to support marketing and business development efforts.

• Design graphics for e-blast campaigns and social media to enhance digital presence and engagement.

• Manage large-format printing and production processes for various marketing collateral and project deliverables.

• Collaborate effectively within a large, specialized marketing team, contributing creative solutions and receiving constructive feedback.

• Interact professionally with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to understand project requirements and translate them into clear visual assets.

• Maintain consistency and accuracy in all design work, ensuring high quality and brand integrity across all output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a direct contribution to the Sales and Business Development process. The emphasis on "proposals," "reports," and "client strategy" suggests this role is crucial for winning new business and retaining existing clients, aligning it with GTM operations support. The need to "interact with engineers, project managers, and technical staff" underscores the importance of translating technical information, a common requirement in GTM operations for specialized industries like engineering.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field. Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably within a corporate environment, agency, or in a role supporting technical industries. Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Expert-level command of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for sophisticated layout, image manipulation, and vector graphics creation.

• Microsoft Office Suite Mastery: High proficiency in PowerPoint for presentation design and Word for document integration, as Kimley-Horn operates on a PC-based system.

• Layout and Document Design: Proven ability to design complex documents, proposals, and reports with a strong emphasis on readability, hierarchy, and visual appeal using InDesign.

• Branding and Corporate Identity: Demonstrated understanding and application of corporate and client branding guidelines to ensure consistent visual messaging.

• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities for effective collaboration with internal stakeholders and technical teams.

• Problem-Solving Attitude: A positive, solution-seeking mindset with a high degree of personal responsibility and accountability for deliverables.

• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, meet tight deadlines, and maintain consistent quality and accuracy.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Production: Experience with video filming/editing and motion graphics using tools like Adobe Premiere or Adobe After Effects.

• 3D Modeling/Rendering: Familiarity with 3DS Max or Sketchup for creating 3D visualizations or renderings.

• Web Design: Experience in web design, with a preference for WordPress, including knowledge of HTML and CSS.

• Digital Marketing Graphics: Experience designing graphics for e-blasts and social media platforms.

• Large Format Printing: Understanding of specifications and best practices for large format printing and production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive list of required and preferred technical skills (Adobe CC, Microsoft Office, InDesign, video editing, web design) is typical for a dedicated design role supporting business development collateral. The emphasis on "proposals and reports" and interaction with technical staff suggests that candidates with experience in B2B technical fields (engineering, construction, consulting) will have a significant advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Proposal & Report Design: Showcase examples of complex, multi-page documents such as proposals, technical reports, or comprehensive brochures, highlighting your ability to manage intricate layouts and information architecture.

• Branding Consistency: Include projects that demonstrate your skill in applying and maintaining corporate or client branding guidelines across various collateral types, emphasizing consistency in tone, color, and typography.

• Technical Visualization: Present examples of graphics that effectively translate technical or complex data into easily understandable visuals, such as before-and-after photo simulations, aerial map exhibits, or data-driven infographics.

• Marketing Collateral: Feature a range of marketing materials including digital brochures, e-blasts, social media graphics, and trade show displays to illustrate versatility in design application.

• Process Improvement: If possible, include a case study or example where your design work directly contributed to improved proposal win rates, enhanced client engagement, or increased brand recognition, quantifying the impact where feasible.

Process Documentation:

• While direct process documentation is not explicitly mentioned as a deliverable for this role, the ability to understand and follow established design workflows, brand guides, and project briefs is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they manage their design process from brief to final delivery, including version control, feedback incorporation, and file management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for an online portfolio is standard for design roles. For this specific position, the emphasis should be on showcasing work that demonstrates an ability to support technical industries and business development efforts. Candidates should highlight projects that involved complex document design, data visualization, and adherence to strict branding guidelines. Quantifiable results, even if estimated, will strengthen their application.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $85,000 per year

Benefits:

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: Generous 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus), plus additional profit-sharing contributions, significantly boosting long-term financial security.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options ensuring employee well-being.

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Personal leave and flexible scheduling options.
  • Half-day Fridays to promote a better work-life integration.
  • Floating holidays for added flexibility.

• Financial Wellness:

  • Student loan matching program integrated into the 401(k) plan.
  • Performance-based bonuses recognizing individual and company achievements.

• Professional Development:

  • Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
  • Extensive internal training programs to foster skill enhancement and career growth.

• Family Support:

  • New Parent Leave to support new parents.

  • Family building benefits and childcare resources. Working Hours:

• Standard Full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), with the flexibility to occasionally work outside normal hours and travel as required for business needs, particularly for project deadlines or client events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in the Orange County, CA area. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, particularly the retirement plan match and profit-sharing, which are significant differentiators and indicative of a company that invests heavily in its employees' long-term well-being. The mention of "half-day Fridays" and "flexible scheduling" suggests a culture that values work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering Consulting Services (specifically, civil engineering, infrastructure, environmental, and planning). Kimley-Horn is a multi-disciplinary design firm.

Company Size: Large (Kimley-Horn is a significant global firm with thousands of employees).

Founded: 1945. Kimley-Horn has a long-standing history of providing engineering and design services.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: The graphic design role is embedded within the Marketing team, which is a crucial support function for the firm's Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy.

• Collaboration: This team collaborates closely with engineers, project managers, principals, and client development teams across various disciplines.

• Reporting: The Graphic Designer likely reports to a Marketing Manager or Director, who in turn may report to a higher-level Marketing or Business Development leader.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Collateral: While design is creative, the output must be data-informed and technically accurate, reflecting the engineering nature of the business. Designs for proposals and reports will need to integrate technical data, charts, and project specifics.

• Brand Adherence: A rigorous adherence to established corporate branding guidelines is paramount to ensure a unified and professional company image across all client interactions.

• Client-Centric Design: The primary objective is to create materials that support client acquisition and retention by clearly communicating project value and technical expertise.

Company Website: www.kimley-horn.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Kimley-Horn's industry as an engineering consulting firm means that the graphic design role is not just about aesthetics but about translating complex technical information into understandable and persuasive visual content. This requires a unique blend of creative skill and an appreciation for technical detail, a characteristic often found in operations roles supporting technical sales.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Professional. This role is positioned for an individual with foundational experience looking to deepen their expertise within a specialized corporate environment. It offers the chance to become a subject matter expert in design for technical proposals and marketing collateral.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Director, working collaboratively with a team of marketing professionals and directly with technical staff from various engineering disciplines. This structure allows for mentorship and exposure to different project types.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences Kimley-Horn's ability to win new projects and communicate its value proposition. High-quality proposals, presentations, and marketing materials are critical for client perception, competitiveness, and ultimately, revenue generation. This role is integral to the firm's GTM effectiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in designing for the engineering and A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industries, becoming a go-to resource for complex technical visuals.

• Skill Expansion: Opportunity to learn and master advanced design techniques, video editing, motion graphics, or even web design, potentially leading to more specialized creative roles.

• Leadership Potential: With proven performance and a strong understanding of GTM needs, there could be opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design projects, or move into a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role within the marketing department.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain valuable insights into project management, engineering processes, and client development strategies through close collaboration with technical teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a stable, reputable firm. The "operations" aspect comes from supporting the core business functions of client acquisition and project delivery through design. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening design skills and understanding the business context of engineering services.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Kimley-Horn is known for its professional, collaborative office environments. The Orange office is described as "office-based," suggesting a traditional corporate setting.

Office Location(s): 1100 W Town and Country Road, Suite 700, Orange, CA. This location implies a professional business park or office building setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment likely fosters collaboration, with opportunities to interact with engineers, project managers, and other marketing team members in person.

• Technology Rich: As a PC-based company, the workspace will be equipped with industry-standard hardware and software necessary for design work. Access to specialized software and potentially large-format printing equipment will be available.

• Team Interaction: The role requires significant interaction with technical staff and project teams, meaning the workspace design likely supports both focused individual work and team-based problem-solving sessions.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. However, the role demands flexibility to occasionally work outside normal hours and travel to meet business needs, particularly when deadlines for proposals or client projects are pressing. This dynamic is common in roles supporting sales cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "office-based" nature and the need for "flexibility to periodically work outside normal working hours" are key indicators of a role directly tied to client-facing business operations where project timelines are paramount. This environment demands adaptability and a strong work ethic, common traits for successful operations professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and, crucially, your online portfolio to assess design skills, relevant experience, and alignment with the company's aesthetic and technical requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation & Technical Interview: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing specific projects, design process, challenges, and solutions. This may involve a technical assessment of software proficiency. Expect questions about how you handle feedback and collaborate with non-designers.

• Behavioral & Situational Questions: Interviews will assess your attitude, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and ability to work under pressure. Questions might revolve around handling tight deadlines, managing conflicting priorities, and working with technical teams.

• Team/Manager Interviews: Meetings with the hiring manager and potential team members to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration style, and overall suitability for the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Relevance: Select projects that best showcase your ability to design for technical industries, create proposal/report layouts, develop infographics, and adhere to strict branding guidelines. Include examples of print and digital collateral.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your design process, challenges encountered, how you incorporated feedback (especially from technical stakeholders), and the outcome.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback on how your designs contributed to successful proposals, client engagement, or brand recognition.

• Demonstrate Software Proficiency: Ensure your portfolio includes examples that clearly demonstrate your command of InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. If you have video or web design experience, showcase those skills too.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your online portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise. This could involve creating a graphic for a hypothetical proposal section, a social media post, or a presentation slide based on provided technical information. Focus on clarity, brand consistency, and effective communication of data.

• Scenario-Based Questions: Practice answering questions about how you would approach designing a complex report, handling a difficult client request, or prioritizing multiple urgent design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio review" and "design challenge" is standard for this role. However, the context of supporting "proposals and reports" for an engineering firm means candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to translate technical information and support business development objectives. This requires a strategic approach to portfolio presentation, focusing on impact and process relevant to GTM operations.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout design of complex documents like proposals, reports, and brochures. Proficiency in master pages, styles, and preflighting is expected.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, retouching, photo simulations, and creating raster graphics.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Necessary for creating logos, icons, vector graphics, and complex illustrations.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: Key for creating presentations for internal and external stakeholders, often integrating design elements seamlessly.
  • Word: Used for document integration and potentially basic formatting of text-heavy reports.
  • Acrobat: For PDF creation, editing, and pre-press checks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly an analytics role, understanding how designs perform (e.g., engagement on social media graphics, clarity of infographics in reports) can be beneficial. Experience with tools that track engagement for digital assets might be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tools are specified for this design role. However, familiarity with how marketing automation platforms (for e-blasts) or CRM systems (for proposal management) use design assets could be advantageous. Preferred Tools/Technologies:

• Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and video content.

• 3D Software: 3DS Max, Sketchup for rendering and visualization.

• Web Design Tools: WordPress, HTML, CSS for web-related design tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is deep proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, for document layout. The integration with Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint, highlights the need for designs that can be embedded within business presentations. Familiarity with video or 3D software is a significant plus, indicating a desire for advanced multimedia capabilities that can enhance proposals and marketing materials.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: A strong commitment to understanding and meeting client needs through high-quality, impactful design that supports project success and business development.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication, especially with technical staff, to ensure designs accurately reflect project scope and technical details.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to producing polished, professional, and accurate work that upholds the firm's reputation for quality.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: Encouraging creative solutions to visual challenges, especially in translating complex engineering concepts into accessible graphics.

• Responsibility & Reliability: Taking ownership of tasks, meeting deadlines, and consistently delivering high-quality work, which are hallmarks of effective operations support.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with engineers, project managers, and other technical professionals. This requires clear communication, active listening, and the ability to translate technical jargon into design elements.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and incorporated to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives.

• Shared Goals: Working towards common objectives with the marketing and technical teams, such as winning proposals, enhancing brand visibility, and supporting client relationships.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize client service, quality, and collaboration – core tenets of successful operations teams. The ability to collaborate effectively with technical personnel is crucial, highlighting the operational aspect of bridging creative services with business needs in a technical industry.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be to distill complex engineering concepts, data, and project details into clear, compelling, and visually appealing graphics that resonate with clients.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Balancing the design needs and feedback from various internal stakeholders (engineers, project managers, marketing, leadership) while maintaining project timelines.

• Tight Deadlines: Working under pressure to deliver high-quality designs for time-sensitive proposals and marketing campaigns, requiring efficient workflow management.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all design output adheres strictly to corporate branding guidelines, even when creating diverse types of collateral for different projects.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunity to hone expertise in specialized areas like infographic design, data visualization, motion graphics, and proposal layout for technical industries.

• Industry Knowledge: Gain a deep understanding of the engineering and A/E/C sectors, which can inform more effective and targeted design solutions.

• Software Proficiency: Potential to expand skill set to include video editing (Premiere, After Effects), 3D modeling (3DS Max, Sketchup), or web design technologies.

• Career Progression: Path towards Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or specialized roles within marketing or business development support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a design role supporting a technical B2B sales cycle, emphasizing the need for operational efficiency and strong stakeholder management. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening design expertise and understanding the business context, which are essential for career advancement in operations-aligned creative roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process for Proposals: "Describe your process for designing a complex technical proposal from receiving the brief to final delivery. How do you ensure accuracy and brand consistency?" (Focus on workflow, stakeholder interaction, and quality control.)

• Translating Technical Information: "How would you approach designing a graphic to explain a complex engineering process or a large-scale infrastructure project to a non-technical audience?" (Highlight your ability to simplify, visualize data, and use appropriate design elements.)

• Managing Feedback: "Imagine you receive conflicting feedback on a design from a project manager and a marketing lead. How would you navigate this situation to achieve the best outcome?" (Demonstrate diplomacy, problem-solving, and focus on project goals.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Kimley-Horn's Reputation: "What do you know about Kimley-Horn and our work in the engineering sector? How do you see your design skills contributing to our success?" (Showcase your research and alignment with the company's mission.)

• Team Collaboration: "Describe your experience working with technical teams or engineers. How do you build rapport and ensure effective collaboration?" (Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills.)

• Handling Pressure: "This role requires working under tight deadlines. Can you give an example of a time you successfully managed multiple high-priority design projects simultaneously?" (Provide a concrete example demonstrating time management and resilience.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story about the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the impact. Connect your design choices to business objectives or client needs.

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your designs, such as the software used, specific techniques, and how you handled file management and pre-press requirements.

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that best align with the requirements of this role – proposal design, technical visualization, branding adherence, and marketing collateral.

• Conciseness: Be clear and concise in your presentation, respecting the interviewer's time while effectively showcasing your capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also the operational skills of problem-solving, stakeholder management, and process adherence, all critical for a role supporting business development in a technical firm.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-aligned graphic design position:

• Submit your application through the Kimley-Horn careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your online portfolio to prominently feature projects demonstrating expertise in proposal design, technical visualization (e.g., photo simulations, map exhibits), corporate branding, and marketing collateral creation relevant to engineering or consulting services.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Microsoft Office Suite, along with your years of experience and any relevant industry exposure. Use keywords from the job description, such as "proposals," "reports," "presentations," and "multimedia graphics."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, how you handle feedback, and your experience collaborating with technical teams. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio and their impact.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Kimley-Horn's services, projects, and company culture. Understand their position in the engineering consulting market and how your design contributions can support their GTM strategy and client engagement efforts.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.