Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kimley-Horn

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for enhancing the visual communication of proposals, reports, and marketing collateral, directly impacting client perception and bid success.

• The position requires a strong command of design software to produce a wide range of visual assets, from intricate document layouts to engaging digital content.

• Collaboration with technical staff and project managers is key to translating complex information into clear, compelling visual narratives.

• Success in this role hinges on meticulous attention to detail, adherence to branding guidelines, and the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines within a fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities—particularly designing for proposals, reports, and interacting with technical staff—place this role firmly within the broader scope of GTM (Go-To-Market) support and Marketing Operations, emphasizing the need for design to drive business objectives and support sales enablement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design high-impact covers, templates, and intricate layouts for proposals and technical reports, ensuring clarity, brand consistency, and aesthetic appeal.

• Develop compelling presentations and multimedia graphics that effectively communicate complex project information to diverse audiences.

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

• Produce unique and engaging brochures, both print and digital, along with eye-catching trade show graphics to enhance brand visibility and marketing efforts.

• Design effective e-blast campaigns and social media graphics, aligning with digital marketing strategies and brand voice.

• Manage large format printing and production processes, ensuring quality and timely delivery of physical marketing materials.

• Thrive within a large, creative, and specialized marketing team, fostering collaboration and contributing to a positive, productive work environment.

• Effectively interact with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to gather requirements and translate technical concepts into visual assets.

• Consistently work within and uphold corporate and client branding guidelines to maintain brand integrity across all visual communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on proposals, reports, and client-facing materials indicates a strong tie to the sales enablement function within GTM operations. The responsibility to "thrive as part of a large, creative, and specialized marketing team" suggests a need for strong team collaboration and adaptability within a structured marketing operations framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrated ability to produce high-quality marketing and proposal collateral.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat is essential for complex document layout, image manipulation, vector graphics creation, and print production preparation.

• Microsoft Office Suite Expertise: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint) is required, as Kimley-Horn operates on a PC-based system, necessitating seamless integration of design assets into business documents and presentations.

• Layout and Template Design: Proven ability to design and maintain complex document layouts and reusable templates for proposals, reports, and marketing materials.

• Visual Communication: Excellent ability to translate complex technical information and data into clear, concise, and visually appealing graphics, charts, and exhibits.

• Brand Adherence: Meticulous attention to detail in applying and maintaining corporate and client branding guidelines.

Preferred Skills:

• Video Filming/Editing: Experience with video production, including filming and editing, to create dynamic multimedia content.

• Motion Graphics: Proficiency in creating animated graphics and motion elements for presentations and digital media using tools like Adobe After Effects.

• 3D Modeling & Visualization: Experience with 3D software such as 3DS Max or SketchUp for creating realistic renderings and visualizations.

• Web Design & Development: Familiarity with web design principles, particularly WordPress, including foundational knowledge of HTML and CSS for digital asset integration.

• Adobe Premiere Pro: Experience with professional video editing software for enhanced multimedia capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" experience level suggests a mid-career professional who can work independently but also contribute within a team. The specific software requirements (Adobe CC, Microsoft Office) are standard for design roles but the emphasis on InDesign for complex documents highlights a need for strong layout and production skills, often found in operations-focused design roles supporting technical industries.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Design Showcase: A well-organized online portfolio demonstrating a diverse range of design capabilities, including proposal layouts, report graphics, digital marketing assets, and multimedia projects.

• Process Improvement Examples: Case studies or examples that highlight how design solutions improved clarity, engagement, or efficiency in proposal submissions or marketing campaigns.

• Brand Application: Clear examples of how branding guidelines were applied and maintained across various projects, showcasing an understanding of brand consistency.

• Technical Integration: Demonstrations of how design assets were integrated into complex documents (e.g., proposals, technical reports) and digital platforms, showing proficiency with relevant software.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document and follow established design workflows for project intake, execution, review, and final delivery.

• Understanding of print production processes and file preparation for large-format printing and digital distribution.

• Experience working with version control for design files and maintaining organized project archives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for a link to an online portfolio is standard for design roles. For operations-adjacent roles like this, the portfolio should emphasize not just aesthetic skill but also the ability to support business objectives through design, such as improving proposal win rates or enhancing marketing campaign effectiveness.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer in Austin, TX, with 2-5 years of experience, the estimated salary range is $65,000 - $85,000 annually. This estimate considers the specific software proficiencies, responsibilities related to technical proposals, and the cost of living in Austin.

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, offering significant long-term financial security.

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

• Work-Life Balance: Generous personal leave, flexible scheduling options, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays to promote a healthy work-life integration.

• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching within the 401(k) and performance-based bonuses contribute to overall financial health and reward success.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs to foster continuous learning and skill advancement.

• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources to support employees through significant life events.

Working Hours: Standard full-time employment, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility to periodically work outside normal hours and travel as required for business needs, especially around proposal deadlines or trade shows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on general market data for a Graphic Designer role in a major Texas city with a strong job market. Kimley-Horn's benefits package is exceptionally robust, particularly the retirement plan and work-life balance initiatives, which are strong draws for professionals seeking stability and support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Design, and Construction Consulting. Kimley-Horn operates within a sector that demands precision, technical accuracy, and strong visual communication to convey complex project scopes and solutions.

Company Size: Kimley-Horn is a large, established firm, indicated by its Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" list recognition for 19 years. This suggests a stable, well-resourced organization with structured processes and a significant market presence.

Founded: Kimley-Horn was founded on principles of client focus and employee well-being, contributing to its long-standing positive reputation. This history implies a culture that values long-term relationships and employee development.

Team Structure:

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

• This role will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Creative Director within the marketing department.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making for marketing and design strategies, ensuring visual communications align with business objectives.

• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial for managing multiple, varied assignments efficiently, especially in a deadline-driven environment.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed to streamline repetitive design tasks and ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs.

Company Website: www.kimley-horn.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long tenure on "Best Companies to Work" lists highlights a culture that prioritizes employee satisfaction, professional development, and a supportive work environment. This is a significant draw for professionals seeking stability and growth. The industry context implies a need for design to support technical and engineering projects, requiring a blend of creativity and technical understanding.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level Graphic Designer position, suitable for individuals with 2-5 years of experience. It signifies a role where the individual is expected to contribute independently to design projects, manage their workload effectively, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, moving beyond entry-level tasks.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Creative Lead within the marketing department. Collaboration will extend to project managers and technical staff across various engineering disciplines.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant in supporting the Go-To-Market strategy by enhancing the visual appeal and clarity of proposals, which directly influences client perception and bid success rates. High-quality design materials are crucial for sales enablement and brand positioning in a competitive engineering consulting market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as motion graphics, video editing, 3D visualization, or web design, becoming a subject matter expert within the team.

• Project Leadership: Potential to lead design aspects of major proposals or marketing campaigns, taking on more responsibility and strategic input.

• Mentorship: As experience grows, opportunities to mentor junior designers and contribute to the development of the broader creative team.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining deeper understanding of engineering and project management processes through close collaboration, potentially leading to roles with more strategic GTM involvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth paths suggest a potential transition into senior design roles, specialized creative functions, or even broader marketing operations responsibilities, leveraging design skills to support business objectives. The emphasis on collaboration with technical staff provides unique exposure to the core business.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position located in Austin, North Texas (TX). The description implies a professional office environment within a large firm, likely featuring collaborative workspaces and individual workstations.

Office Location(s): Austin, Texas. The specific office location will be within the Austin metro area, providing access to a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is designed for collaboration, with opportunities to interact closely with a large, specialized marketing team and technical staff from various engineering disciplines.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware is expected, supporting the production of high-quality visual assets.

• The environment fosters teamwork and knowledge sharing, essential for tackling complex projects and adhering to brand standards.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. However, flexibility is required to occasionally work outside normal hours and travel to meet business needs, particularly during critical project phases or for events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Austin suggests an environment that values in-person collaboration and team synergy. The mention of "Austin North, Texas" provides a specific geographical context for candidates. The need for flexibility around deadlines is typical for roles supporting client-facing business development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application Review: Submission of resume and a mandatory link to an online portfolio. The portfolio will be assessed for creativity, technical proficiency, and relevance to the responsibilities.

• Screening Interview: A conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess cultural fit, basic qualifications, and understanding of the role's scope.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a design challenge or a detailed discussion about portfolio pieces, focusing on problem-solving, design process, and software proficiency.

• Team/Manager Interview: Further discussion with the hiring manager and potential team members to evaluate technical skills, collaboration style, and alignment with team dynamics and company values.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to confirm suitability and discuss long-term career alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in proposal design, technical graphics, branding, and digital media, aligning with Kimley-Horn's industry.

• Highlight Process: For each featured project, briefly explain your design process, the challenges you faced, your problem-solving approach, and the outcome or impact of your design.

• Showcase Variety: Include examples of print and digital work, complex layouts (InDesign), photo manipulations (Photoshop), vector graphics (Illustrator), and any relevant multimedia or web design examples.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Explicitly show how you've worked within and adapted brand guidelines.

• Ensure Accessibility: Make sure your portfolio link is active, easy to navigate, and loads quickly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge that may require you to create a graphic or layout based on a prompt relevant to engineering proposals or marketing materials.

• Practice articulating your design choices, rationale, and process under time constraints.

• Familiarize yourself with Kimley-Horn's services, projects, and branding to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential design challenge underscores the practical, skills-based nature of this role. Candidates should be ready to not only present their work but also discuss their thought process and how their designs contribute to business objectives.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: InDesign (essential for complex layouts), Photoshop (image editing, manipulation), Illustrator (vector graphics, logos), Acrobat (PDF creation, editing, pre-press).

• Microsoft Office Suite: PowerPoint (essential for presentations), Word (document integration), Excel (data visualization support).

Analytics & Reporting: While not primary design tools, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics for digital assets (e.g., e-blasts, social media) is beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards could be a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly used by the designer, but understanding how design assets are used within CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns) is helpful context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is standard for graphic design but the specific mention of InDesign for complex documents and Microsoft Office Suite highlights the need for integration with business processes and technical documentation within a PC-based environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Accuracy: A strong commitment to delivering high-quality, accurate visual assets that reflect the precision and professionalism of an engineering firm.

• Client Focus: Understanding that design work directly supports client proposals and marketing efforts, with the ultimate goal of client satisfaction and business success.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and supporting colleagues within the marketing team and across technical departments.

• Responsibility & Proactivity: A high sense of personal responsibility for tasks and a proactive, solution-seeking attitude to overcome design challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Effective collaboration with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to translate complex information into compelling visuals.

• Feedback Loop: An environment that encourages constructive feedback on designs to ensure optimal results and adherence to project requirements.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture where team members share best practices, techniques, and insights to elevate the collective skill level of the marketing department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values, as highlighted in the "Why Kimley-Horn?" section, point towards a culture that is employee-centric, values professionalism, and fosters a supportive environment. For a designer, this translates to a place where their contributions are valued and they can grow.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Tight Deadlines: The need to consistently deliver high-quality work under pressure, especially during peak proposal periods or for urgent marketing requests.

• Translating Technical Concepts: Effectively visualizing complex engineering and technical information in a way that is easily understood by non-technical audiences.

• Balancing Creative Freedom with Brand Constraints: Navigating corporate and client branding guidelines while still producing innovative and engaging designs.

• Juggling Varied Assignments: Simultaneously managing multiple projects with different requirements, stakeholders, and deliverables.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to expand skills in specialized areas of Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software and technologies.

• Industry Exposure: Learning about the engineering and construction consulting industry, which can inform design choices and provide a deeper understanding of client needs.

• Cross-Departmental Learning: Gaining insights into project management, sales processes, and technical aspects of the firm's work.

• Mentorship Programs: Access to experienced designers and marketing professionals for guidance and career development advice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong organizational skills, technical aptitude, and adaptability. The growth opportunities are tied to both design specialization and broader business acumen, offering a well-rounded development path.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Tell me about a time you had to design for a highly technical audience. How did you ensure clarity and accuracy?" Prepare a specific example from your portfolio that demonstrates your ability to simplify complex information visually.

• "How do you approach working with engineers or project managers who may have different communication styles or visual expectations?" Focus on your collaboration and feedback management skills, emphasizing active listening and iterative design.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Kimley-Horn and our services? How do you see your design skills supporting our business objectives?" Research Kimley-Horn's website, recent projects, and target markets. Connect your portfolio to their industry.

• "How do you contribute to a team environment, especially when working with non-designers?" Highlight your communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to highlight your strongest and most relevant work first. Use clear headings and brief descriptions for each project.

• Tell the Story: For key pieces, be prepared to discuss the brief, your design process, the tools you used, challenges overcome, and the final outcome or impact.

• Focus on Relevance: Emphasize projects that align with the responsibilities of this role, such as proposal graphics, technical reports, and corporate branding.

• Be Ready for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, problem-solving, and how you handle feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent but also an understanding of the business context, strong communication, and effective collaboration, all crucial for roles supporting GTM operations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your online portfolio prominently features projects relevant to proposal design, technical documentation graphics, and corporate branding. Highlight any examples of working with complex data or technical concepts.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (especially InDesign), Microsoft Office Suite, and experience in deadline-driven environments. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Contributed to X number of proposals," "Improved engagement by Y% through social media graphics").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving strategies, and how your work supports business objectives. Prepare to discuss specific projects from your portfolio in detail.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Kimley-Horn's services, company culture, and recent projects to demonstrate genuine interest and align your responses with their values and industry.

⚠️ 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.

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