Graphic Designer

Psomas
Full-time$25-35/hour (USD)Santa Ana, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Psomas

Location: Santa Ana, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing Operations / Corporate Communications

Date Posted: May 19, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Design and produce a wide range of branded materials, including presentations, proposal graphics, brochures, social media assets, infographics, and digital content, to support marketing and business development initiatives.

  • Maintain and evolve Psomas's visual identity and brand consistency across all print and digital platforms.

  • Leverage AI-enabled creative tools and emerging technologies to enhance workflow efficiency and creative output while upholding design quality standards.

  • Collaborate within a hybrid environment as part of the Corporate Communications team, contributing to impactful visual communications across the firm.

  • Support impactful projects within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry and other public infrastructure sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Corporate Communications, but its responsibilities in creating marketing and business development materials, and leveraging design for GTM efforts, strongly align it with Marketing Operations functions. The emphasis on brand consistency and visual identity is critical for effective Go-To-Market strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop visually compelling and brand-consistent graphics for a variety of mediums, including but not limited to:

    • Marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, case studies)
    • Business development proposals and presentations
    • Social media graphics and digital ad creative
    • Infographics and data visualizations
    • Internal communications and event materials
    • Website and intranet graphics
  • Ensure all design outputs adhere to Psomas's brand guidelines, maintaining a strong and unified visual presence.

  • Proactively explore and integrate AI-enabled design tools and emerging creative technologies to optimize design workflows, accelerate production, and explore innovative visual concepts.

  • Collaborate closely with marketing, business development, and other internal stakeholders to understand project requirements, gather feedback, and deliver design solutions that meet objectives.

  • Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines in a dynamic, hybrid work environment.

  • Stay abreast of design trends, industry best practices, and new creative technologies to continuously improve design quality and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities focus on the creation and management of visual assets that directly support sales and marketing efforts, particularly in business development and proposal graphics. This indicates a strong connection to GTM enablement and the operational aspects of marketing.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related creative field is preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 2+ years of professional experience in graphic design, with a proven track record in creating materials for both print and digital formats.

Required Skills:

  • Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop is essential for creating high-quality design assets.

  • Strong Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio showcasing expertise in branding, layout design, presentation design, marketing materials, and digital content creation.

  • Visual Design Fundamentals: Deep understanding of typography, layout principles, color theory, and composition to create aesthetically pleasing and effective designs.

  • Print and Digital Design: Proven ability to design for diverse applications, from print publications to dynamic digital platforms.

  • Brand Consistency: Ability to meticulously maintain and evolve a brand's visual identity across all touchpoints.

  • AI Design Tool Familiarity: Experience or a strong willingness to learn and utilize AI-enabled creative tools for enhanced design workflows.

Preferred Skills:

  • AEC Industry Experience: Familiarity with the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry and its specific design needs.

  • Proposal and Business Development Graphics: Experience creating graphics specifically for proposals, presentations, and business development initiatives.

  • Infographics and Data Visualization: Skill in translating complex data into clear, engaging visual narratives.

  • Motion Graphics/Video Editing: Basic understanding or experience with animation or video editing software for digital content.

  • Web Design Principles: Familiarity with UI/UX principles and web design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and experience with both print and digital formats are standard for graphic design roles. The inclusion of "AI-enabled creative tools and emerging technology" and "AEC industry and/or proposal and business development materials" as preferred skills are key differentiators for this specific role, suggesting a need for efficiency and industry-specific application of design skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate Brand Stewardship: Showcase projects where you successfully maintained or evolved a brand's visual identity, highlighting your understanding of brand guidelines and consistency.

  • Showcase Print and Digital Versatility: Include examples of work for both print (e.g., brochures, proposals) and digital (e.g., social media assets, web graphics) mediums, illustrating your adaptability.

  • Highlight Presentation Design: Present examples of compelling presentations you've designed, emphasizing clarity, visual hierarchy, and effective use of graphics to convey information.

  • Illustrate Workflow Efficiency: If possible, include a project that demonstrates how you used tools or processes to improve design efficiency or output quality, particularly relevant given the mention of AI tools.

  • Proposal and Business Development Graphics: If you have experience in the AEC industry or similar B2B environments, feature relevant proposal graphics, datasheets, or marketing collateral.

Process Documentation:

  • Design Workflow Mapping: Be prepared to discuss your typical design process from brief to final delivery, including concept development, client feedback integration, and file preparation for various outputs.

  • Brand Guideline Adherence: Discuss how you ensure design projects align with established brand guidelines and how you handle requests that might deviate.

  • Tool Utilization and Optimization: Be ready to speak about how you leverage tools like the Adobe Creative Suite and any AI design tools to streamline your workflow and enhance your creative output.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role focused on corporate communications and marketing support, a portfolio is crucial. The emphasis on brand consistency, print/digital versatility, and specific types of collateral (presentations, proposals) are key indicators of what Psomas will be looking for. The mention of AI tools suggests a need to demonstrate efficiency and forward-thinking design practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $25.00 - $35.00 per hour. This range is commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

  • Employee Ownership: Psomas is a 100% employee-owned firm, offering a unique opportunity for shared success and long-term financial benefits through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

  • Retirement Savings: Company-funded ESOP and a 401(k) plan with an immediate company match, providing robust retirement planning support.

  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their families, ensuring well-being.

  • Generous Time Off: 3 weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually, plus 8 paid holidays, supporting work-life balance.

  • Hybrid Work Flexibility: Offers hybrid work options, balancing collaborative in-office time with focused remote work.

  • Recognition Programs: Incentives and recognition programs to acknowledge employee contributions and achievements.

  • Career Development: Structured career pathing, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities to support professional growth.

Working Hours: Full-time position, likely standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with hybrid flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is clearly defined. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, with a significant emphasis on employee ownership (ESOP) and retirement benefits, which are key differentiators for Psomas. The inclusion of PTO and paid holidays, along with comprehensive health coverage, are standard but valuable components. The "hybrid flexibility" is also a crucial aspect of the work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) and Public Infrastructure. Psomas serves sectors such as transportation, land development, water, and energy.

Company Size: Psomas is a substantial firm, indicated by its employee-owned structure and broad service offerings, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand professionals.

Founded: Founded with a long-term vision, emphasizing stability and sustained growth, which informs its employee-ownership model and commitment to shared success.

Team Structure:

  • Corporate Communications Team: This role sits within the Corporate Communications team, suggesting a focus on internal and external messaging, brand management, and support for various departments.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Graphic Designer will collaborate with marketing, business development, and potentially project teams across the firm, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Marketing Manager, Communications Director, or a similar leadership role within the Corporate Communications or Marketing department.

Methodology:

  • Data-Driven Design: While a creative role, the emphasis on supporting business development and marketing implies a need for designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective in achieving specific business objectives.

  • Process Optimization: The explicit mention of using AI and emerging technologies points to a company culture that values efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement in workflows.

  • Collaborative Environment: Psomas promotes a "people-first culture" and "shared success," suggesting a collaborative and supportive work environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

Company Website: https://www.psomas.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Psomas's identity as a 100% employee-owned firm in the AEC sector is a significant cultural differentiator. This ownership model typically fosters a strong sense of accountability, long-term perspective, and shared commitment to company success, which will likely influence team dynamics and decision-making processes. The emphasis on "meaningful work" in public infrastructure also suggests a purpose-driven culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Graphic Designer role is positioned as an individual contributor with 2-5 years of experience, focusing on execution and creative output. It's a mid-level position within the design function, offering opportunities to develop specialized skills and contribute to significant projects.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports into a manager within the Corporate Communications or Marketing department, who oversees brand strategy and execution. This provides a direct line for feedback, mentorship, and guidance on design initiatives.

Operations Impact: While not a direct "operations" role in the traditional sense (e.g., Sales Ops, Rev Ops), this Graphic Designer plays a crucial role in enabling Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies by creating compelling visual assets for marketing campaigns, business development proposals, and brand communication. High-quality, on-brand visuals are essential for conveying professionalism, credibility, and value proposition to clients and stakeholders, directly impacting the firm's ability to win new business and maintain its market presence.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design areas such as branding, proposal graphics, data visualization, or digital design.

  • Technology Adoption: Become a go-to expert for AI-enabled design tools and emerging creative technologies within the firm.

  • Project Leadership: Take on more complex design projects, potentially leading design aspects for major proposals or campaigns.

  • Mentorship: Progress to mentoring junior designers or interns as the team grows.

  • Cross-Departmental Exposure: Gain exposure to different departments (e.g., Marketing, Business Development, HR) to understand their visual communication needs and contribute strategically.

  • Leadership Track: For those interested in management, opportunities may arise to lead design initiatives or a small design team within Corporate Communications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities described are tailored to a graphic design professional within a corporate setting. The "Operations Impact" section highlights how this creative role indirectly supports the operational success of the business through GTM enablement. The career path suggests progression from execution to more strategic involvement and potential leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Psomas offers a hybrid work environment, blending the benefits of in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This suggests a modern approach to workplace design that accommodates both focused individual work and team interactions.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Santa Ana, California, at 5 Hutton Centre Dr, 92707. This location is within Orange County, a significant business hub in Southern California.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Spaces: The office likely features collaborative areas, meeting rooms, and potentially open-plan sections designed to foster team interaction, brainstorming, and project discussions.

  • Technology-Enabled Environment: Expect access to necessary hardware, software (Adobe Creative Suite, AI tools), and potentially digital collaboration platforms to support hybrid work and design tasks.

  • Professional Atmosphere: As a firm in the AEC industry, the environment is expected to be professional, client-focused, and geared towards delivering high-quality work.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with the Corporate Communications team, marketing professionals, and potentially other departments requiring design support.

Work Schedule: Full-time employment with a hybrid schedule. While exact office days might vary, expect a balance between in-office presence for collaborative activities and remote work for focused design tasks. Standard business hours are implied.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "hybrid flexibility" is a key aspect of the work environment. For a graphic designer, this means balancing the need for collaborative feedback and team synergy with the requirement for focused, uninterrupted time to execute creative work. The Santa Ana location places the role within a significant business district in Southern California.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Application Review: Psomas's recruiting team reviews all applications personally. Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight relevant experience and skills.

  • Screening Call: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone or video call to discuss your background, career aspirations, and fit with the role and company culture. Be prepared to articulate your experience with graphic design principles and software.

  • Portfolio Presentation/Review: Expect a stage where you present your portfolio. This is critical. Be ready to walk through 3-5 key projects, explaining your design process, the problem you solved, your creative rationale, the tools used, and the impact of your work. Focus on projects relevant to marketing, branding, presentations, and potentially AEC industry visuals.

  • Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: Psomas may assign a small design exercise or a case study related to creating marketing materials or adapting existing brand assets. This assesses your practical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how you interpret design briefs.

  • Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A final interview with the hiring manager and potentially other team members (e.g., Marketing Manager, Senior Designer) to assess technical fit, cultural alignment, and collaborative potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills relevant to this role: branding, layout, typography, presentations, print, and digital media. Include examples that demonstrate your ability to work with AI tools if possible.

  • Tell a Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, and the outcome. Quantify results where possible (e.g., "increased engagement by X%," "supported successful proposal bid").

  • Highlight Brand Consistency: Emphasize how you maintained or evolved brand identity.

  • Showcase Versatility: Include a mix of print and digital examples.

  • Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to discuss your design choices, inspirations, and how you handle feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand any design challenge provided. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

  • Focus on Brand: Ensure any new designs strictly adhere to Psomas's brand guidelines, which you should research beforehand.

  • Efficiency and Creativity: Balance creative execution with efficiency, especially if AI tools are suggested or implied.

  • Presentation: Be prepared to present your solution clearly, explaining your rationale and process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hiring process emphasizes a thorough review of applications and a strong focus on the portfolio. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their design work but also articulate their process, rationale, and understanding of brand stewardship and efficiency, particularly with new technologies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop for all design and production tasks.

  • AI-Enabled Creative Tools: Familiarity or willingness to learn and utilize AI tools (e.g., Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, ChatGPT for copy assistance) to enhance design workflows, generate concepts, and improve efficiency.

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in PowerPoint for presentation design and Word for document layout support.

Analytics & Reporting:

  • Web Analytics (Basic Understanding): Awareness of how digital design impacts web performance or social media engagement metrics.

  • Design Performance Metrics: Ability to understand and contribute to metrics related to the effectiveness of visual communications (e.g., engagement rates for social media graphics, clarity of infographics).

CRM & Automation:

  • CRM (Basic Awareness): Understanding how design assets are used within CRM systems for marketing campaigns or client communications.

  • Marketing Automation Platforms (Awareness): Familiarity with how design elements integrate with platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, etc., for email campaigns or landing pages.

  • Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Potential exposure to or ability to learn and use DAM systems for organizing and distributing design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is mastery of Adobe Creative Suite. The significant emphasis on "AI-enabled creative tools and emerging technology" necessitates a proactive approach to learning and integrating these into design workflows. Familiarity with presentation software like PowerPoint is also key given the responsibility for presentation graphics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Shared Success & Long-Term Thinking: As an employee-owned firm, Psomas values dedication to the company's long-term prosperity, where individual contributions directly impact collective success.

  • Integrity & Doing What's Right: This underpins all business practices and client interactions, promoting ethical decision-making and trustworthy relationships.

  • Collaboration & Diverse Perspectives: A "people-first culture" that encourages teamwork, open communication, and valuing the unique insights each employee brings.

  • Impact & Meaningful Work: A commitment to contributing positively to society through impactful projects in critical infrastructure sectors.

  • Innovation & Efficiency: Embracing new technologies like AI and optimizing workflows to deliver better results more effectively.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with Marketing, Business Development, and other departments, necessitating clear communication and understanding of diverse stakeholder needs.

  • Feedback-Oriented: Psomas's culture likely fosters an environment where constructive feedback is shared and received to improve design outcomes and professional development.

  • Proactive Contribution: Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and take initiative, particularly in areas like process improvement and adopting new technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The employee-ownership model is central to Psomas's culture. This fosters a deep sense of responsibility, accountability, and a shared commitment to the company's mission and success. Design professionals are expected to contribute to this collective effort by producing high-quality work that supports business objectives and upholds the company's reputation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Creativity with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating creative vision into designs that strictly adhere to established brand guidelines and corporate communication objectives.

  • Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Juggling design requests from various departments, each with potentially different priorities and aesthetic preferences, while maintaining brand consistency.

  • Integrating AI Tools Seamlessly: Learning to effectively incorporate AI-generated elements or AI-assisted workflows into the design process without compromising quality or originality.

  • Meeting Tight Deadlines: Delivering high-quality design work under pressure, especially for time-sensitive proposals or marketing campaigns.

  • Adapting to Evolving Design Trends: Staying current with rapid changes in design software, AI capabilities, and visual communication best practices.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or explore new design software.

  • AI in Design Workshops/Courses: Training sessions focused on leveraging AI tools for graphic design, concept generation, and workflow automation.

  • Brand Strategy and Marketing Fundamentals: Learning more about the strategic aspects of branding and marketing to better inform design decisions.

  • Industry-Specific Design Seminars: Attending webinars or workshops focused on design within the AEC industry, proposal graphics, or data visualization.

  • Mentorship Program: Access to mentorship from senior designers or marketing professionals within Psomas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, technical skill, and strong communication. The growth opportunities are geared towards continuous learning, skill enhancement, and strategic development within the design field, particularly in the context of corporate communications and GTM support.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for creating a new branded brochure from concept to final output, particularly when working with a tight deadline."

    • Preparation: Outline your steps: brief intake, research, concept development, initial designs, feedback incorporation, revisions, finalization, and file preparation. Emphasize how you manage time and client input.
  • "How do you ensure brand consistency across various design projects and mediums?"

    • Preparation: Discuss your understanding of brand guidelines, your systematic approach to checking assets against them, and how you maintain consistency even when working with different project managers or teams.
  • "Can you share an example of a design challenge you faced and how you overcame it, perhaps by using a new tool or approach?"

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What interests you about Psomas, particularly our employee-ownership model and our work in the AEC/infrastructure sector?"

    • Preparation: Research Psomas's website, recent projects, and their mission. Connect your interest to their values, industry impact, and unique ownership structure.
  • "How do you approach collaboration with non-designers, such as marketing or business development professionals?"

    • Preparation: Discuss your communication style, how you translate design concepts to non-designers, and your ability to understand and meet their business objectives.
  • "How do you see yourself contributing to a 'people-first' culture?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Select Project Mix: Choose 3-5 projects that best represent your skills in branding, layout, typography, presentations, and print/digital design. Include examples that show your ability to work with AI tools if possible.

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your design process, the tools used (mentioning Adobe Suite and any AI tools), and the positive outcome or impact.

  • Quantify Results: If possible, use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., "increased engagement," "supported winning a bid").

  • Be Ready for Technical Questions: Expect questions about your software proficiency, design choices, and how you handle feedback.

  • Highlight AI Integration: If you have examples of using AI tools, be ready to discuss those specifically, focusing on how they improved efficiency or creativity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess not only technical design skills but also the candidate's cultural fit, strategic thinking, and ability to integrate modern tools. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their portfolio in depth and articulate their understanding of Psomas's unique business model and industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the Psomas applicant portal at https://psomas.applicantpro.com/jobs/4093000.

  • Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 2+ years of experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with AI design tools or the AEC industry. Use keywords from the job description.

  • Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest work that aligns with the responsibilities (branding, presentations, print/digital materials). Ensure it's easily accessible online and showcases your best examples of visual communication.

  • Research Psomas: Familiarize yourself with Psomas's website, their projects, their company culture, and especially their employee-ownership model. Understand their brand identity and industry.

  • Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to discuss your design process, your experience with specific tools, and how you can contribute to their Corporate Communications and Marketing efforts. Practice presenting your portfolio.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field and at least 2 years of experience in print and digital design. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a strong portfolio demonstrating branding and layout skills are required.