Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Kimley-Horn

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: August 12, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop high-impact visual assets for proposals, reports, and marketing collateral, ensuring adherence to corporate and client branding guidelines.

• Create compelling presentations and multimedia graphics to support technical staff and project managers in client interactions.

• Design engaging digital content for e-blasts and social media campaigns to enhance brand visibility and engagement.

• Manage large-format printing production and digital asset delivery, maintaining rigorous quality control.

• Collaborate within a dynamic, specialized marketing and design team, interacting with engineers and technical professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a marketing and design operations function, supporting a professional services firm. The emphasis on proposals, reports, and technical staff interaction indicates a need for a designer adept at translating complex information into clear, visually appealing formats that drive business objectives. The "2027" mention in the description suggests the role is for a future hiring cycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design covers, templates, layouts, and supporting graphics for proposals, reports, and technical documentation.

• Produce engaging presentations, multimedia graphics, and dynamic visual content for client meetings and internal communications.

• Develop before-and-after photo simulations and sophisticated aerial map exhibits to illustrate project scope and impact.

• Create compelling brochures, both print and digital, along with impactful trade show graphics that align with brand messaging.

• Design and produce graphics for e-blast campaigns and social media platforms to expand reach and engagement.

• Manage large format printing processes and digital asset production, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

• Integrate seamlessly into a large, creative, and specialized marketing team, contributing to a collaborative work environment.

• Effectively interact with engineers, project managers, and technical staff to understand project requirements and translate them into visual designs.

• Strictly adhere to and champion corporate and client branding guidelines across all design outputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of traditional graphic design tasks with specialized applications relevant to the engineering and consulting industry, such as technical exhibits and photo simulations. The need to "thrive as part of a large, creative, and specialized marketing team" suggests a collaborative environment where designers contribute strategically.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a demonstrable track record in creating high-quality marketing and technical collateral.

Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat.

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), as the company operates on a PC-based platform.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and project requirements clearly.

• Professional demeanor, characterized by a positive, solution-seeking attitude and a high degree of personal responsibility.

• Proven ability to manage multiple, varied assignments simultaneously under tight deadlines, consistently delivering high-quality and accurate work.

• Expertise in using Adobe InDesign for the layout of complex, multi-page documents. 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 and knowledge of HTML/CSS.

• Experience working within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) industry or similar professional services environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required" and "Preferred" skills clearly delineate the essential technical proficiencies and desirable complementary skills. The emphasis on Adobe CC and Microsoft Office, coupled with the PC-based environment, is critical for applicants to note. The inclusion of video and 3D software in the preferred section indicates opportunities for specialization and growth within the design team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive online portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design projects, including proposal graphics, report layouts, presentations, and digital marketing assets.

• Specific examples demonstrating expertise in complex document layout using Adobe InDesign.

• Visual case studies illustrating the creation of before-and-after photo simulations or aerial map exhibits.

• Samples of e-blast campaigns, social media graphics, and other digital marketing materials.

• Evidence of ability to work within strict brand guidelines (corporate and client-specific). Process Documentation:

• Demonstrated understanding of the design process from concept to final production, including client brief interpretation, concept development, revisions, and final asset delivery.

• Ability to document workflows for common design tasks, such as proposal template creation or presentation design.

• Experience in managing design project timelines, ensuring efficient workflow and timely completion of assignments.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is explicitly required, serving as the primary evaluation tool. Applicants should curate their portfolios to highlight the specific types of work mentioned in the responsibilities, especially those relevant to technical documentation and marketing for a professional services firm.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer in Salt Lake City, UT, with 2-5 years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is $65,000 - $85,000. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in the region and the specialized skills required.

Benefits:

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: Generous 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus), plus an additional profit-sharing contribution.

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

• Work-Life Balance: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.

• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching within the 401(k) plan and performance-based bonuses.

• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs to support career growth.

• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The role requires flexibility to periodically work outside normal business hours for project deadlines and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on the provided location, experience level, and job title, referencing market data for similar roles in Salt Lake City. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, particularly the retirement plan match and profit-sharing, which are significant differentiators. The mention of "half-day Fridays" suggests a commitment to employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering and Consulting Services. Kimley-Horn operates in a professional services sector, providing design and engineering solutions across various markets, including transportation, aviation, and water resources. This context means the graphic design function is critical for supporting business development and client communication efforts.

Company Size: Kimley-Horn is a large, established firm, indicated by its consistent placement on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work" list for 19 years. This suggests a stable environment with structured processes and a strong emphasis on employee development and retention.

Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, the company's long-standing reputation and longevity imply a mature and experienced organization with a well-defined corporate culture.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Design team is described as "large, creative, and specialized," suggesting a dedicated department with multiple designers possessing varied skill sets.

• Designers will likely report to a Marketing or Communications Manager, working collaboratively within this broader team.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring designers to work closely with engineers, project managers, and other technical staff to translate complex information into accessible visual formats. Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not directly a data analysis role, designers will need to interpret project data and technical information to create effective visualizations and infographics.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The role requires managing multiple assignments and tight deadlines, necessitating efficient workflow planning and the ability to optimize design processes.

• Automation & Efficiency: Opportunities may exist to leverage design software features or explore automation tools for repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency.

Company Website: www.kimley-horn.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Kimley-Horn's industry as engineering and consulting is crucial. This means designs must be professional, accurate, and supportive of complex technical projects. The company's culture, as evidenced by its Fortune rankings, likely prioritizes employee satisfaction, professional growth, and quality of work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer. It involves executing design tasks with a degree of autonomy and contributing to project outcomes, but typically operates under the guidance of senior designers or marketing leadership. The scope includes creating a range of collateral from proposals to digital assets, requiring both creative flair and technical precision.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will report to a Marketing or Design Manager within the broader marketing team. They will collaborate closely with project engineers and managers, acting as a key support function for project delivery and business development.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's impact is significant in shaping the external perception of Kimley-Horn's projects and capabilities. High-quality visual communication enhances proposal win rates, strengthens client relationships, and reinforces brand credibility. By translating technical information into accessible graphics, they directly contribute to the clarity and success of project communications.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to specialize in areas like motion graphics, video editing, or advanced 3D visualization through preferred skill development and internal training.

• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in design for the engineering and consulting sector, understanding industry-specific visual communication needs.

• Leadership Potential: With continued performance and skill development, potential to move into senior designer roles, team lead positions, or even specialized project management within the marketing function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section is tailored to frame how a design role contributes to the operational success of a professional services firm, emphasizing its role in business development and client relations. Growth opportunities are framed within the context of specialized design skills and potential leadership within a marketing operations framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position in Salt Lake City, UT. The work environment is likely a professional office setting typical of an engineering and consulting firm, fostering collaboration among technical and marketing staff.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Applicants should consider commuting accessibility and local amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic office space designed to encourage interaction between designers, engineers, project managers, and other marketing professionals.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to a PC-based system equipped with the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Microsoft Office is standard.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for team meetings, project huddles, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure design solutions meet business and technical requirements.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. However, flexibility is required to occasionally work outside normal hours to meet project deadlines, which is common in client-facing professional services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an "on-site" role and the description of a "professional office setting" are key details. The workspace context highlights the importance of collaboration with technical teams, which is a defining characteristic of design roles in engineering firms.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review, focusing on resume and portfolio link. Candidates are assessed for required technical skills and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Assessment: A dedicated session where candidates present their online portfolio, discussing specific projects, design choices, and problem-solving approaches. This may include a technical test or a design challenge.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Interviews with hiring managers and potential team members to assess communication skills, problem-solving abilities, attitude, and cultural fit within the Kimley-Horn team.

• Final Interview: Potential meeting with senior leadership to discuss overall fit and long-term contribution.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase projects that directly align with Kimley-Horn's needs: proposal graphics, technical reports, presentations, and branding exercises. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the outcome or impact. Use metrics where possible.

• Highlight Software Proficiency: Explicitly mention your experience with Adobe CC (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and Microsoft Office, providing examples of complex layouts or data visualizations created.

• Demonstrate Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully worked within strict brand guidelines, showing your ability to adapt designs while maintaining consistency.

• Showcase Technical Translation: If possible, include projects that demonstrate your ability to translate complex technical information into clear, visually digestible graphics.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Prepare for potential design challenges that involve creating graphics for a hypothetical engineering proposal or marketing collateral.

• Focus on Process: Be ready to explain your design process, from brief interpretation to final execution, emphasizing efficiency and problem-solving.

• Communication is Key: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, especially when interacting with non-designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes the portfolio as a central component. Applicants must be prepared to "walk through" their portfolio, explaining their design thinking and how their skills align with the specific needs of an engineering consulting firm.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout of complex documents, proposals, and reports. Expect to demonstrate advanced skills in master pages, styles, and pre-press.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creation of digital assets.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Acrobat: For PDF creation, editing, and optimization of final deliverables.

• Microsoft Office Suite:

  • PowerPoint: Critical for creating presentations for engineers and project managers.
  • Word: For document formatting and integration with design elements.
  • Excel: Potentially for data visualization and infographic creation.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus, understanding how designs perform (e.g., social media engagement, e-blast click-through rates) may be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Less direct involvement, but understanding how marketing collateral fits into broader CRM and marketing automation workflows could be advantageous.

Preferred Tools:

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

• 3D Modeling/Visualization: 3DS Max, Sketchup for creating architectural or engineering visualizations.

• Web Design: WordPress, HTML, CSS for web-based content and digital brochures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe CC (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat) and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word) indicates these are non-negotiable tools. The preferred tools suggest areas where a candidate can differentiate themselves and demonstrate potential for growth into more advanced design functions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Accuracy: A strong emphasis on delivering precise, high-quality work, especially critical when dealing with technical data and client-facing proposals in an engineering firm.

• Collaboration: A culture that values teamwork and open communication, encouraging designers to work closely with technical staff and contribute to collective project success.

• Professionalism & Responsibility: A commitment to a professional demeanor, proactive problem-solving, and a high sense of personal responsibility for project outcomes.

• Efficiency & Adaptability: The ability to manage multiple, varied assignments under tight deadlines, demonstrating adaptability and efficient workflow management.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to integrate seamlessly with engineering and project management teams, acting as a bridge between technical content and visual communication.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that likely involves iterative design processes, with opportunities for feedback exchange between designers, technical staff, and marketing leadership.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing design best practices, new techniques, and project learnings within the marketing and design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize precision and professionalism, essential for a firm that provides technical services. The collaboration style highlights the need for designers to be comfortable working with technical professionals and adept at translating complex information.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be to effectively translate complex engineering concepts and data into clear, visually appealing graphics that are understandable to diverse audiences.

• Managing Multiple Deadlines: Balancing numerous concurrent projects with varying deadlines requires strong organizational skills, prioritization, and efficient time management.

• Adhering to Brand Consistency: Maintaining strict adherence to both corporate and client branding guidelines across a wide range of materials can be demanding.

• Evolving Design Trends: Staying current with design software updates, emerging visual trends, and new digital marketing techniques while meeting project demands.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in video editing, motion graphics, or 3D visualization through internal training and potentially external courses.

• Industry-Specific Design: Gaining specialized knowledge in design for the AEC industry, understanding its unique visual communication needs and compliance requirements.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Access to mentorship from senior designers or marketing leaders, with potential pathways to team lead or senior designer roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges outlined are specific to a graphic designer supporting a technical firm, focusing on the unique demands of translating complex information and managing diverse projects. Growth opportunities are framed within skill specialization and industry expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex technical information into a clear visual graphic. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and impact.)

• "How do you prioritize and manage multiple design projects with competing deadlines? Walk us through your typical workflow." (Highlight organizational skills and efficiency.)

• "Tell us about a project where you had to strictly adhere to brand guidelines. How did you ensure consistency while still being creative?" (Demonstrate understanding of branding and adaptability.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Kimley-Horn, and why are you interested in working for an engineering consulting firm?" (Show research on the company and industry.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with technical professionals who may have different communication styles?" (Assess interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, especially for marketing materials like e-blasts or social media graphics?" (Focus on results-oriented thinking and understanding of marketing metrics.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type (e.g., Proposals, Presentations, Digital Marketing) or by the software used.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: the client/internal need, your role, the challenge, your solution (design process), and the result (impact, feedback).

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to discuss your software proficiency, especially InDesign for complex layouts, and any advanced techniques used.

• Relevance: Emphasize projects that are most relevant to Kimley-Horn's business – proposal graphics, technical illustrations, and professional marketing collateral.

• Engagement: Be ready to answer questions about your design choices and demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation focuses on common questions for design roles in professional services, emphasizing the need to articulate process, handle complexity, and demonstrate cultural fit. Portfolio presentation advice is tailored to highlight relevant project types and technical skills.

📌 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 is up-to-date, easily navigable, and prominently features examples relevant to proposal graphics, technical reports, and marketing collateral. Tailor any accompanying descriptions to highlight your understanding of the engineering/consulting industry.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly list proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat) and Microsoft Office Suite. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed X number of proposals contributing to Y% win rate").

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio, articulating your design process, and answering behavioral questions related to collaboration, deadline management, and problem-solving.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Kimley-Horn's services, recent projects, and company culture. Understand their brand identity and how your design skills can support their business objectives.

⚠️ 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.