Graphic Designer 2

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer 2

Company: HDR

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Full-time, Regular

Category: Marketing & Design Operations

Date Posted: February 18, 2026

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the execution and management of visual design projects, ensuring adherence to brand standards and client requirements within the transportation sector.

• It involves creating a range of corporate and marketing collateral, with a strong emphasis on presentation design and visual communication.

• The position requires active participation in project delivery, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and contribution to team development through mentorship.

• A key aspect of this role is maintaining high quality control across all design outputs and managing vendor relationships, particularly in print production.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Graphic Designer 2," the responsibilities strongly suggest a role within a broader GTM or Marketing Operations function, specifically focused on the visual content creation and brand consistency that supports sales and marketing initiatives. The emphasis on corporate and marketing materials, brand guidelines, and project management aligns with operations support in these areas.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and deliver graphic design projects from initial concept through to final completion, ensuring alignment with project objectives and client expectations.

• Develop a wide array of corporate and marketing materials, including but not limited to, PowerPoint presentations, proposals, brochures, and digital assets, consistently upholding brand guidelines and visual hierarchy.

• Actively participate as a presenter, contributor, and leader in project meetings, pursuit efforts, and cross-functional assignments, articulating design rationale and solutions.

• Demonstrate leadership by offering multiple creative solutions to design challenges and supporting the growth of junior designers and team members through effective mentorship.

• Research and integrate new technology, production techniques, and design processes to enhance project approaches and deliverables.

• Maintain rigorous quality control over all graphic and textual content, ensuring accuracy in spelling, consistent formatting, and adherence to technical writing and brand style guides.

• Coordinate photography projects, managing scheduling, logistics, and organization of image files to support marketing and project needs.

• Support creative initiatives by developing graphics and signage for events and conferences, and by securing vendor quotes and managing relationships for production services.

• Oversee print production processes, including file submission, proof approval, and press checks, working closely with printers to ensure high-quality output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design execution and project management, typical for a mid-level designer supporting client-facing teams. The emphasis on "corporate and marketing materials" and "PowerPoint presentations" points to a strong connection with Go-To-Market (GTM) operations, where visual assets are crucial for sales enablement and client engagement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant industry experience in graphic design.

• Experience with project management, including planning, execution, and delivery.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) for design creation and manipulation.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly PowerPoint for presentation design.

• Ability to design across a wide variety of styles and mediums, demonstrating versatility.

• Keen eye for design details, including typography, alignment, visual hierarchy, and color theory.

• Excellent customer service, communication, and negotiation skills for effective client and stakeholder interaction.

• Strong project management and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Detail-oriented approach to work, ensuring accuracy and consistency in all outputs.

• Demonstrated leadership potential and strong teamwork capabilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with video editing software such as Adobe Premiere and After Effects.

• Familiarity with 3D modeling or visualization software like SketchUp.

• Exposure to GIS software such as ArcGIS for visualizing spatial data.

• Familiarity with offset and digital printing processes, including color correction techniques.

• Ability to learn and apply specific brand writing styles and proofreading standards accurately.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are standard for a graphic designer. However, the preferred skills like Premiere, After Effects, ArcGIS, and SketchUp, combined with the company's focus on transportation and infrastructure, suggest that this role might create more complex visual assets, potentially including data visualizations or animated explainers, which are increasingly important in GTM operations for complex B2B sales cycles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A strong, well-organized portfolio showcasing a minimum of 2 years of design experience is mandatory.

• Portfolio should demonstrate proficiency in creating a wide variety of design styles and project types, with a focus on corporate and marketing materials.

• Include examples of successful project management, highlighting your role in delivering projects from concept to completion.

• Showcase your ability to adhere to brand guidelines and maintain visual consistency across different deliverables.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as a deliverable, candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of design workflows and processes.

• Applicants should be prepared to discuss their process for handling client requests, managing feedback, and ensuring quality control throughout the design lifecycle.

• Experience in researching and applying new production techniques and processes should be portfolio-evident.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role supporting GTM and marketing operations, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating not just aesthetic skill but also the capacity to deliver on operational needs. Candidates should select portfolio pieces that highlight efficiency, adherence to brand, and successful project completion, mirroring operational goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan with company match (e.g., 401(k)).

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Employee ownership opportunities, reflecting HDR's employee-owned structure.

• Professional development and training programs, including mentorship opportunities.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week.

• The role is on-site, requiring presence in the Irvine, California office during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on data from reputable compensation survey providers and job market analysis for graphic design roles in major California metropolitan areas, adjusted for experience level and industry specialization. HDR's employee-ownership model is a significant benefit that should be highlighted.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• HDR operates within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, with a significant focus on Transportation. This sector is characterized by large-scale, complex projects, long-term planning horizons, and a strong emphasis on technical expertise, safety, and sustainability.

Company Size:

• HDR is a large, global firm with over 11,000 employees worldwide. This size offers stability, diverse project opportunities, and a broad network of expertise.

Founded:

• HDR was founded in 1917, giving it over a century of experience and a deep-rooted history in engineering and design. This longevity speaks to its resilience, adaptability, and commitment to client service.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer 2 will likely be part of a larger marketing or communications department, potentially within the Transportation Business Group.

• This team may include other designers, marketing specialists, proposal managers, and communication strategists who collaborate on client pursuits and corporate branding efforts.

Methodology:

• HDR emphasizes a collaborative, employee-owner-driven approach, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and innovation.

• The company's methodology likely involves rigorous project management, adherence to industry best practices, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful solutions for clients.

Company Website:

• https://www.hdrinc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's extensive history and employee-ownership model are key differentiators that shape its culture and operational approach. For a designer, this implies a stable environment with opportunities to contribute to significant, long-term projects and a culture that values individual contribution.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned as a "Graphic Designer 2," indicating a mid-level career stage. It requires a solid foundation of design skills and at least two years of professional experience.

Reporting Structure:

• The Graphic Designer 2 will likely report to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or a similar leadership role within the marketing or communications department.

Operations Impact:

• In this role, the Graphic Designer's impact is primarily seen through enhancing the visual appeal and clarity of HDR's client proposals, marketing collateral, and corporate communications.

• High-quality design directly supports the Go-To-Market strategy by making HDR's offerings more compelling, improving client perception, and contributing to successful project wins.

Growth Opportunities:

• Design Specialization: Opportunity to specialize in specific areas such as proposal graphics, digital design, presentation design, or even emerging fields like data visualization or motion graphics.

• Project Management: Develop stronger project management skills by taking lead on design components of larger projects or managing smaller design initiatives independently.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Grow into a senior designer role, taking on more complex projects, leading design efforts for key pursuits, and formally mentoring junior designers.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen understanding of the transportation sector, enabling more impactful and contextually relevant design solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expand network and understanding by working with diverse teams across HDR's business groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2" in "Graphic Designer 2" suggests a progression path. The emphasis on mentorship and leadership in the responsibilities indicates that HDR is looking for individuals who can grow within the organization and contribute to team development, a common trait in companies with strong internal talent development programs.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The role is on-site, indicating a traditional office environment. This typically involves shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and dedicated areas for creative work.

Office Location(s):

• The specific office is located in Irvine, California, a major business hub in Southern California.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be equipped with industry-standard design software and hardware.

• Opportunities for collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines (engineering, planning, communications) will be frequent, fostering a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment.

Work Schedule:

• The work schedule is full-time, typically 40 hours per week, and is on-site. While flexibility within core hours might be available, the primary mode of work is in the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in a large AEC firm like HDR typically means being part of a bustling office environment where cross-disciplinary interactions are common. Candidates should expect a professional setting designed for collaboration and project delivery.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will likely conduct an initial review of applications and portfolios to assess basic qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, skills, and fit for the team and role. This will likely include questions about project management and design philosophy.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, discussing key projects, their role, design process, and outcomes. This is a critical stage to assess design capabilities and communication skills.

• Team/Cross-functional Interview: Potentially an interview with team members or representatives from departments the designer will collaborate with (e.g., proposal managers, technical leads) to evaluate teamwork and collaboration skills.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or a final confirmation interview.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the requirements of this specific role. Prioritize corporate and marketing materials, especially presentations.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the challenge, your design process (including research and problem-solving), and the final outcome or impact. Use visuals to guide the audience.

• Highlight Brand Adherence: Include examples where you successfully applied or developed brand guidelines.

• Demonstrate Project Management: If possible, select projects where you managed timelines, client feedback, and multiple stakeholders.

• Quantify Impact: If you have metrics on how your design improved engagement, proposal win rates, or clarity, present them.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge, which might involve creating a sample graphic or presentation slide based on a prompt related to HDR's work in transportation.

• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and justifying your creative choices.

• Understand HDR's core business areas (transportation, infrastructure) to better tailor any exercises or discussions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "corporate and marketing materials," "PowerPoint presentations," and "brand guidelines" means the portfolio review will likely focus on the practical application of design skills in a business context, rather than purely artistic expression. Demonstrating project management and client service alongside design talent will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential. Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a core requirement. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate advanced skills in these applications.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Specifically, a high level of proficiency in PowerPoint is crucial for creating professional presentations. Excel and Word may also be used for data organization and document formatting.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital assets, readability of reports) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

Preferred Tools:

• Adobe Premiere Pro & After Effects: For video editing and motion graphics, which can enhance marketing materials and presentations.

• SketchUp: For 3D modeling and visualization, potentially useful for illustrating infrastructure projects.

• ArcGIS: For creating maps and data visualizations relevant to transportation planning and projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are standard for graphic design. However, the preferred tools indicate a potential for more advanced visual content creation, aligning with the needs of a complex B2B sales and marketing environment. Candidates with these skills will stand out.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Collaboration: As an employee-owned company, HDR fosters a strong collaborative spirit. This means working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and valuing input from all levels.

• Integrity & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality work and maintaining ethical standards is paramount in the engineering and design sector. This translates to meticulous attention to detail in design.

• Innovation: HDR encourages employees to bring novel ideas and explore new technologies and processes to improve outcomes.

• Client Focus: Understanding and meeting client needs is central to HDR's success. Designs should serve to clearly communicate value and solutions to clients.

• Impact: A desire to make a positive impact on communities through well-designed infrastructure and transportation systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with engineers, planners, proposal managers, and marketing specialists, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate technical concepts into visual language.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that embraces constructive feedback to refine designs and achieve the best possible results.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share best practices, new techniques, and design inspiration within the team and across the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The employee-ownership model is a significant cultural driver at HDR, promoting a sense of shared purpose and responsibility. This often translates to a highly collaborative and engaged workforce where individual contributions are recognized and valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas within strict brand guidelines and technical requirements.

• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: Juggling various design requests from different teams and stakeholders with competing priorities.

• Communicating Complex Technical Information Visually: Simplifying intricate engineering and transportation concepts into clear, engaging graphics and presentations.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Design Technologies: Staying current with new software, techniques, and design trends relevant to the AEC industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Training: Opportunities to deepen skills in Adobe Creative Suite and explore new tools