Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kimley-Horn

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-10

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 Years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is integral to supporting Kimley-Horn's marketing and GTM (Go-to-Market) strategies through exceptional visual design for proposals, reports, and marketing collateral.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for translating complex technical information into compelling visual narratives, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.

• This position requires a strong understanding of design principles, proficiency in industry-standard software, and the ability to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• The role contributes directly to the company's brand perception and the success of its client-facing materials, influencing proposal win rates and market presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities listed (proposal design, report graphics, technical staff interaction, corporate branding) clearly place this role within a broader GTM or Marketing Operations context, supporting sales enablement and brand management. The emphasis on proposals and technical staff interaction suggests a strong link to the sales pipeline and business development efforts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

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

• Develop engaging presentations and multimedia graphics that clearly communicate complex project information to diverse audiences.

• Create detailed before-and-after photo simulations and professional aerial map exhibits for project documentation and client presentations.

• Design unique and impactful brochures, both print and digital, as well as compelling trade show graphics to enhance brand visibility and marketing campaigns.

• Produce graphics for e-blast campaigns and social media, supporting digital marketing initiatives and online engagement.

• Manage large format printing and production processes, ensuring high-quality output for various marketing materials.

• Collaborate effectively within a large, specialized marketing team, contributing to a creative and productive work environment.

• Interact professionally with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to gather requirements and translate technical concepts into visual designs.

• Maintain strict adherence to corporate and client branding guidelines, ensuring consistency and professionalism in all visual outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for not just aesthetic design but also the ability to interpret technical data and produce client-facing collateral that directly supports business development and sales efforts. This goes beyond typical graphic design tasks, incorporating elements of sales enablement and marketing operations support.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in a corporate or agency setting, with a proven track record in designing marketing collateral and technical documentation.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, specifically InDesign (for complex document layout), Photoshop, and Illustrator.

• Expertise in Adobe Acrobat for document management and optimization.

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint) on a PC platform.

• Demonstrated ability to design for both print and digital mediums, including brochures, e-blasts, and social media graphics.

• Experience in creating before-and-after photo simulations and aerial map exhibits.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with technical staff and project managers.

• A professional demeanor, with a positive, solution-seeking attitude and a high degree of personal responsibility.

• Ability to manage multiple, varied assignments simultaneously under tight deadlines, maintaining consistent quality and accuracy. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video filming/editing and/or motion graphics creation.

• Familiarity with Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, 3DS Max, or Sketchup.

• Web design experience, with a preference for WordPress, including knowledge of HTML and CSS.

• Experience with large format printing and production processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on InDesign for complex documents, combined with the need to work with technical staff and produce proposals, suggests a role that requires strong layout and information design skills beyond basic graphic design. The preferred skills in video, motion graphics, and web development indicate opportunities for growth into more specialized digital marketing operations or content creation roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio link is mandatory for application consideration.

• Portfolio should showcase a range of design projects, with a strong emphasis on proposal and report design, technical infographics, and corporate branding applications.

• Include examples demonstrating the ability to translate complex technical information into visually digestible formats.

• Showcase projects that highlight experience with layout software (e.g., InDesign) for complex document creation.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating graphics for both print and digital channels, including social media and e-blasts. Process Documentation:

• Portfolio should ideally include case studies or project descriptions that outline the design process, from understanding client needs and technical requirements to final delivery.

• Highlight examples of how design solutions contributed to project success or improved communication effectiveness.

• Demonstrate an understanding of workflow management, especially when handling multiple assignments and tight deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for an online portfolio, especially for a role supporting proposals and technical content, suggests that employers will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to manage complex information design and adhere to brand standards. The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating process execution and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Indianapolis, IN, the estimated annual salary range is $55,000 - $75,000.

• This estimate considers the cost of living in Indianapolis, the company's industry (engineering/consulting, which often offers competitive compensation), and the specific skills required (Adobe CC, InDesign, technical graphics). Benefits:

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

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options designed to provide robust coverage for employees and their families.

• Generous Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling options, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays contribute to a healthy work-life balance.

• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching within the 401(k) program and performance-based bonuses offer additional financial support and incentives.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs support continuous learning and career advancement.

• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family-building benefits, and childcare resources demonstrate a commitment to supporting employees' family needs.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for occasional work outside normal hours and travel as required by business needs, reflecting the demands of a fast-paced marketing and proposal environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided benefits are exceptionally strong, particularly the retirement plan match and profit-sharing, which are significant financial advantages. The "half-day Fridays" are a notable perk for work-life balance. The salary estimate is based on Glassdoor, Salary.com, and LinkedIn Salary data for Graphic Designers in Indianapolis with 2-5 years of experience, adjusted for the specific industry context of an engineering consulting firm.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering and Design Consulting. Kimley-Horn operates within a sector that demands precision, technical accuracy, and strong client relationship management. This context means that marketing and design efforts are closely tied to project wins and client satisfaction.

Company Size: Kimley-Horn is a large, established firm, indicated by its Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" recognition for 19 years. This implies a structured environment with well-defined processes, significant resources, and a strong emphasis on employee development and retention.

Founded: Kimley-Horn was founded with a commitment to client success and employee well-being, which has guided its growth into a highly respected firm. This long-standing history suggests stability and a deeply ingrained culture.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of a "large, creative, and specialized marketing team," suggesting a department with various design and marketing functions.

• The reporting structure likely places the designer under a Marketing Manager or Creative Director, with close collaboration with project managers and technical staff across different engineering disciplines.

• Cross-functional collaboration is key, involving frequent interaction with engineers and project managers to understand project details and create accurate visual representations. Methodology:

• The team likely employs a data-driven approach to marketing, using design to enhance the clarity and impact of technical data for proposals and client presentations.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies are essential, given the need to manage simultaneous assignments and tight deadlines.

• Automation and efficiency practices may be utilized, especially with preferred skills in web design and motion graphics, to streamline content creation and delivery.

Company Website: www.kimley-horn.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Kimley-Horn's long-standing recognition as a "Best Company to Work For" suggests a culture that values employee development, work-life balance, and a collaborative environment. For a Graphic Designer, this means opportunities to work on diverse, impactful projects within a supportive structure, with clear expectations for quality and professionalism.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a mid-level within the marketing and design function. It requires a solid foundation of technical design skills and the ability to work independently on assigned tasks while also collaborating effectively within a team. The scope involves supporting critical business development activities.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a manager within the marketing team, likely a Creative Director or Marketing Manager. They will work closely with project managers and engineers, requiring strong communication and stakeholder management skills to ensure design outputs align with project objectives and technical accuracy.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly influences the company's external image and the perceived quality of its proposals and reports. High-quality design can significantly enhance proposal win rates, client engagement, and overall brand perception, thereby contributing to revenue generation and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deeper expertise in areas like motion graphics, video editing, web design (WordPress, HTML/CSS), or advanced 3D visualization, potentially leading to senior or specialized design roles.

• Leadership: Progress into a Senior Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, leading design projects, or managing specific design initiatives within the marketing team.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain exposure to broader marketing operations or GTM strategy by working closely with project managers and sales teams, potentially leading to roles focused on sales enablement or content strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2+ years of corporate and/or agency experience" and the breadth of responsibilities suggest a mid-level role. The listed preferred skills provide clear pathways for career advancement within the organization, emphasizing the importance of continuous skill development in specialized design software and digital marketing technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an in-office opportunity, specifically based at Kimley-Horn’s Indianapolis office. The environment is likely professional, collaborative, and geared towards supporting a large engineering consulting firm.

Office Location(s): 500 E. 96th Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46240. This location is likely easily accessible within the Indianapolis area.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed for collaboration, with frequent interaction expected between designers, engineers, and project managers. This fosters a dynamic environment where ideas can be exchanged freely.

• Access to industry-standard design tools and technology is a given, including a PC-based environment with Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Opportunities for team interaction and knowledge sharing are high, given the size and structure of the marketing team and the company's focus on employee development.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, with an expectation of flexibility to work outside normal hours and travel as needed. This is common in roles supporting proposal deadlines and client projects, requiring adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "in-office" role indicates a preference for hands-on collaboration and team integration, which is crucial for design roles that require close communication with technical teams. The mention of a PC-based environment is a practical detail for candidates to note.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and, critically, your online portfolio to assess design skills, experience, and suitability for the role. Ensure your portfolio link is prominently displayed and functional.

• Technical Interview: This stage will likely involve a discussion of your design process, software proficiency (especially Adobe CC and InDesign), and how you approach translating technical information into visuals. Be prepared to walk through specific projects in your portfolio.

• Case Study/Challenge: You may be given a design challenge or asked to present a case study from your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to handle a complex assignment, meet a deadline, and adhere to brand guidelines. Focus on demonstrating problem-solving and efficiency.

• Team/Manager Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential colleagues and the hiring manager to assess cultural fit, communication style, and alignment with team dynamics. Demonstrate your collaborative spirit and positive attitude.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss your overall fit with Kimley-Horn's values and long-term career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent the core responsibilities: proposal graphics, report layouts, technical simulations, and corporate branding.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly explain your design process, the challenges faced, how you overcame them, and the impact of your design. Use bullet points or concise descriptions.

• Highlight Software Proficiency: Clearly indicate which software was used for each project, especially InDesign for complex layouts.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within strict branding guidelines.

• Quantify Impact (If Possible): If a design contributed to a successful proposal win or increased engagement, mention it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to articulate your design strategy, workflow, and problem-solving approach under pressure.

• Practice presenting your work concisely and effectively, focusing on key takeaways and design rationale.

• Understand Kimley-Horn's core business and target audience to tailor your approach if given a specific challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an online portfolio is paramount. Candidates should ensure it is well-organized, showcases relevant work, and clearly articulates their design process and problem-solving capabilities, especially concerning technical content and proposal design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: InDesign (essential for complex document layout, proposals, reports), Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos, icons).

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (document integration), PowerPoint (presentations), Excel (data visualization support). Kimley-Horn operates on a PC-based system.

• Adobe Acrobat: For PDF creation, editing, and optimization of final deliverables.

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly a data analyst role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics for digital assets (e-blasts, social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards for web or social media could be a plus.

CRM & Automation: No direct CRM/automation tool requirements are listed, but understanding how marketing collateral is distributed and tracked within a CRM or marketing automation platform could be advantageous for understanding broader GTM processes.

Preferred Tools:

• Video/Motion Graphics: Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects.

• 3D Modeling/Rendering: 3DS Max, Sketchup.

• Web Design: WordPress, HTML, CSS.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirements heavily emphasize Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign, for its role in producing complex, multi-page documents like proposals and reports. The preferred tools indicate a desire for candidates with a broader digital skillset, moving towards multimedia and web content creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Accuracy: As an engineering firm, precision and accuracy are paramount. This translates to design work that is meticulously executed and technically correct.

• Client Focus: Kimley-Horn prioritizes client success. Designers are expected to create materials that effectively serve client needs and enhance client relationships.

• Collaboration: The company fosters a collaborative environment, expecting team members to work effectively with diverse groups, including technical staff.

• Efficiency & Problem-Solving: The ability to manage deadlines, handle varied assignments, and find creative solutions to design challenges is highly valued.

• Professionalism: A high sense of personal responsibility and a positive, solution-seeking attitude are crucial for success in this role.

Collaboration Style:

• The team operates with a high degree of cross-functional integration, requiring designers to actively communicate and partner with engineers and project managers.

• A culture of feedback exchange is likely present, encouraging constructive criticism to refine designs and ensure they meet project objectives.

• Knowledge sharing is encouraged, especially within the specialized marketing team, to foster continuous learning and best practice adoption.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kimley-Horn's consistent recognition on "Best Companies to Work For" lists strongly suggests a culture that values its employees, promotes work-life balance, and fosters a positive, supportive environment. This is an attractive aspect for candidates seeking a stable and rewarding workplace.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Technical Complexity with Visual Appeal: A primary challenge will be translating intricate engineering concepts and data into easily understandable and visually engaging graphics without sacrificing accuracy.

• Managing Multiple Deadlines: The fast-paced proposal environment means handling numerous projects with competing deadlines simultaneously, requiring excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Adhering to Diverse Branding Guidelines: Working with both corporate and client-specific branding requirements necessitates flexibility and meticulous attention to detail to ensure consistency.

• Staying Current with Design Trends and Technology: The digital landscape is constantly evolving; keeping pace with new software features, design trends, and digital platforms (like social media and web) will be an ongoing challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized design software (e.g., motion graphics, video editing, 3D rendering) through internal training and potentially external courses.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with engineers and project managers provides exposure to the technical aspects of the firm's work, broadening understanding of the industry.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into senior design roles, team lead positions, or explore adjacent areas within marketing operations or content strategy. Kimley-Horn's commitment to professional development supports these paths.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for designers in technical consulting firms, emphasizing the need for strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to learning. The growth opportunities are well-defined, offering clear paths for career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to design a graphic for a highly technical or complex subject. How did you ensure accuracy and clarity?" (Focus on your process, research, and collaboration with subject matter experts.)

• "How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects with conflicting deadlines?" (Highlight your organizational methods, time management strategies, and communication skills.)

• "Walk us through a project in your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to work within strict corporate branding guidelines." (Be prepared to discuss the challenges and how you maintained brand consistency.)

• "How would you approach designing a graphic for a proposal that needs to impress both technical stakeholders and potential clients?" (Discuss balancing technical detail with persuasive visual storytelling.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Kimley-Horn and our work in the engineering consulting industry?" (Research Kimley-Horn's projects and values; connect your skills to their mission.)

• "How do you handle feedback and critiques on your designs?" (Emphasize a professional, open, and solution-oriented approach.)

• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture." (Highlight your teamwork skills and positive attitude.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., Proposals, Reports, Digital Assets). For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the tools used, the process, and the outcome.

• Storytelling: For key projects, tell a brief story about the challenge, your approach, and the results. This makes your work more memorable.

• Visuals: Ensure high-quality images of your work. If presenting digitally, use clear, concise slides.

• Technical Details: Be ready to discuss the specific software and techniques you used, especially InDesign for complex layouts and any advanced features you employed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on demonstrating not just design talent but also an understanding of the business context (proposals, technical clients), strong soft skills (collaboration, communication), and process-oriented thinking.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with proposal design, technical graphics, Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign), and corporate branding. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed graphics for proposals contributing to X% win rate").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your online portfolio is up-to-date, showcases relevant work (proposals, reports, technical visuals), and is easily accessible via the link provided in your application. Organize it clearly and include brief project descriptions.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving skills, and experience working with technical teams. Be ready to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail.

• Research Kimley-Horn: Familiarize yourself with the company's industry, services, values, and recent projects to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit during the interview.

⚠️ 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.