Visual/ Graphic Designer
π Job Overview
Job Title: Visual/Graphic Designer Company: Civil Science Location: Lehi, Utah, United States Job Type: Full-Time Category: Marketing & Design Operations Date Posted: January 16, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: On-site
π Role Summary
- Lead the visual branding and design strategy for a 100% employee-owned A/E/C firm, translating complex engineering concepts into compelling visual narratives.
- Develop and execute design solutions across a variety of mediums, including proposals, digital campaigns, marketing collateral, and internal communications, to enhance brand identity and market presence.
- Collaborate directly with senior leadership, project managers, and cross-functional teams to shape the company's visual voice and ensure design consistency across all platforms.
- Drive creative output from concept to completion, demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to elevating design standards within a technical environment.
π Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a key contributor to the company's external and internal communications, requiring a blend of creative design expertise and an understanding of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The emphasis on "owning the visual brand" and direct collaboration with leadership suggests a significant level of autonomy and impact.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Own and evolve the company's visual brand identity across all touchpoints, ensuring consistency and impact in proposals, marketing campaigns, social media, and event materials.
- Translate intricate engineering and technical concepts into clear, engaging, and easily understandable visual assets, infographics, and presentations.
- Design modern, professional, and compelling proposals that effectively communicate value and differentiate Civil Science in a competitive market.
- Develop and maintain a library of consistent marketing materials for diverse offices, project types, and disciplines, ensuring brand integrity.
- Partner with the marketing team to understand campaign objectives, contributing design strategy and creating impactful visuals for digital and print initiatives.
- Create and manage graphic assets for web content, social media platforms, advertisements, flyers, banners, slide decks, and event collateral.
- Support digital content creation, including simple animations or GIFs, to enhance online engagement and brand storytelling.
- Collaborate closely with project managers and technical teams to gather information and effectively visualize project details and outcomes.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can not only execute creative tasks but also strategize and integrate design thinking into broader marketing and business development efforts. The requirement to translate technical content suggests a need for strong analytical and communication skills beyond pure graphic design.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelorβs degree in Graphic Design or a related creative field is preferred.
- Equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience is required.
- Direct experience within the A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry is a mandatory requirement.
Required Skills:
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat are essential.
- Strong foundational design principles: Demonstrable expertise in typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy.
- Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing versatility, originality, and strong foundational design skills across various projects, particularly in proposal and marketing collateral design.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
- Technical Translation: Ability to understand and visually represent complex technical or engineering concepts.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Aptitude for identifying creative solutions to design challenges and enhancing visual effectiveness.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with animation or motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects).
- Familiarity with digital marketing principles and social media content creation.
- Experience with presentation software beyond basic slide decks, for creating dynamic visual reports.
- Basic understanding of print production processes and best practices.
π Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for A/E/C industry experience is critical and suggests candidates familiar with the specific visual language, proposal structures, and client expectations within engineering consulting firms will be highly favored. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate visual brand application: Showcase how you've applied and evolved brand guidelines across diverse marketing materials and platforms.
- Highlight proposal design expertise: Include examples of complex proposals, detailing your role in layout, visual storytelling, and data visualization to enhance client proposals.
- Showcase technical concept visualization: Present case studies where you successfully translated complex technical information (e.g., engineering processes, data) into clear and compelling graphics or infographics.
- Illustrate cross-functional collaboration: Provide examples of projects where you worked closely with non-design teams (e.g., engineers, project managers) to achieve design objectives and business goals.
- Exhibit digital and print versatility: Include a range of work demonstrating proficiency in both print collateral and digital assets (social media, web graphics, ads).
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design: Ability to outline your design process from brief to final delivery, including stages for concept development, feedback incorporation, and revisions.
- Asset Management: Experience in organizing and managing design assets for easy retrieval and consistency across multiple projects and teams.
- Feedback Integration: Demonstrate how you systematically incorporate feedback from various stakeholders into design iterations while maintaining design integrity.
π Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, serving as the primary evaluation tool. Candidates should curate their portfolio to specifically address the A/E/C context and the translation of technical information, demonstrating not just creative skill but also strategic thinking and process management relevant to operations.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on industry benchmarks for a Visual/Graphic Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Lehi, Utah, the estimated salary range is $60,000 - $80,000 annually. This range accounts for the specific A/E/C industry requirement and the employee-ownership model, which often influences compensation structures.
Benefits:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): A significant benefit offering ownership in the company's future and long-term financial growth.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Three weeks of PTO annually.
- Paid Holidays: Eight recognized holidays.
- Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
- Life Insurance: Provided coverage.
- Disability Insurance: Both Short-Term and Long-Term disability coverage.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Support for continued professional development and education.
- 401K Plan: Retirement savings plan.
- Work-Life Harmony: Emphasis on flexibility to complement personal life.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with an emphasis on work-life harmony and flexibility.
π Enhancement Note: The ESOP is a major differentiator for Civil Science and should be highlighted. The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for this role and location, adjusted for the specialized industry requirement.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) - Civil Engineering. Civil Science specializes in providing innovative engineering solutions for public and private sector clients. Company Size: Over 40 years in operation, with a growing team structure supporting multiple offices. The company is 100% employee-owned, fostering a collaborative and engaged work environment. Founded: Established over 40 years ago, bringing a wealth of experience and a stable foundation for growth.
Team Structure:
- Design & Marketing Integration: The Visual/Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader marketing or business development team, working closely with marketing specialists, proposal managers, and project leads.
- Reporting: Expected to report to a Marketing Manager, Director of Business Development, or a senior leader responsible for marketing and communications.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Frequent interaction with project managers, engineers, surveyors, planners, and HR to gather project details, understand business objectives, and ensure brand consistency across all departments.
Methodology:
- Data-Driven Brand Enhancement: Utilizing design to clearly communicate data, project outcomes, and client benefits.
- Agile Project Support: Adapting design workflows to meet the dynamic needs of proposal deadlines and marketing campaigns in a fast-paced technical environment.
- Collaborative Design Process: Emphasizing teamwork and feedback loops to refine creative solutions and ensure alignment with business goals.
Company Website: civilscience.com
π Enhancement Note: The employee-ownership model is a core cultural element that likely promotes a high degree of commitment, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose among employees. The company's focus on civil engineering implies a need for design that is both professional and technically grounded.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level specialist, offering significant autonomy and ownership over the company's visual identity. It's a foundational role within the marketing and communications function, crucial for shaping external perception. Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a marketing or business development leader, with direct interaction and visibility to senior management and project teams. This provides opportunities to influence strategic visual direction. Operations Impact: The Visual/Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Civil Science's ability to win new business through compelling proposals and to build brand recognition and trust through consistent marketing efforts. Their visual output is a key component of the company's go-to-market strategy.
Growth Opportunities:
- Specialization: Deepen expertise in AEC industry design, proposal development, or digital marketing visuals.
- Leadership: Potentially grow into a Senior Graphic Designer or Creative Lead role, mentoring junior designers or managing larger creative projects.
- Cross-Functional Development: Expand understanding of marketing strategy, business development processes, and engineering project lifecycles.
- ESOP Growth: Benefit from the company's growth through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "owning the craft" and direct collaboration with leadership suggests that this role offers substantial growth potential for a designer who can demonstrate strategic thinking and deliver consistent, high-quality results within the specialized AEC context.
π Work Environment
Office Type: On-site role in Lehi, Utah, suggesting a traditional office environment. Office Location(s): Lehi, Utah, United States. This location is part of the growing tech and business corridor in Utah Valley. Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with various internal teams, suggesting an open or semi-open office layout that facilitates communication and teamwork.
- Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially company-specific project management or file-sharing systems.
- Team Interaction: Regular opportunities to engage with project managers, engineers, and marketing staff, fostering a dynamic and interactive work setting.
Work Schedule: Standard full-time business hours (approx. 40 hours/week), with an emphasis on work-life harmony. This may allow for some flexibility in scheduling, but the on-site requirement is firm.
π Enhancement Note: While on-site, the emphasis on "work-life harmony" suggests the company values employee well-being and might offer some flexibility within the standard working hours, provided core responsibilities and collaborative needs are met.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and A/E/C industry relevance.
- Portfolio Presentation & Skills Assessment: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discuss key projects, explain their design process, and potentially complete a design challenge or skills test related to translating technical information or designing a proposal element.
- Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, including senior leadership, project managers, and marketing team members, to evaluate collaboration skills, cultural fit, and understanding of the AEC industry.
- Final Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or senior leadership to confirm fit and discuss role expectations.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Curate for Relevance: Prioritize projects that showcase your experience in the A/E/C industry, proposal design, technical content visualization, and brand consistency.
- Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you developed, and the impact of your design. Use metrics or client feedback where possible.
- Demonstrate Process: Briefly explain your workflow, how you incorporate feedback, and how you manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Highlight Technical Translation: Include specific examples of how you have simplified complex information into visually digestible formats.
- Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether digital or in-person.
Challenge Preparation:
- Anticipate Design Challenges: Prepare for tasks that might involve designing a sample graphic for a technical report, creating a visual for a social media post about an engineering project, or outlining a design approach for a proposal section.
- Focus on Process: Be ready to explain your thought process, justify design choices, and discuss how you would handle feedback or revisions.
- Understand the AEC Context: Research Civil Science's projects and typical client base to better tailor your responses and design approach.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily emphasize the candidate's portfolio and their ability to demonstrate practical skills relevant to the A/E/C sector. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process and rationale thoroughly.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- Adobe Creative Suite:
- InDesign: Essential for proposal layout, brochure design, and multi-page document creation.
- Illustrator: Critical for creating logos, icons, vector graphics, and complex illustrations.
- Photoshop: Used for image editing, manipulation, and creating digital assets.
- Acrobat Pro: For creating, editing, and managing PDFs, particularly for proposal submission.
- Presentation Software: Proficiency with tools like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating visually rich presentations and slide decks.
Analytics & Reporting:
- While not a primary focus, understanding basic analytics for digital content performance (e.g., social media engagement) can be beneficial.
CRM & Automation:
- Familiarity with how design assets are used in CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., email marketing, social media scheduling tools) is a plus, though direct usage might not be required.
π Enhancement Note: Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite is the core technical requirement. Experience with design principles applied within a proposal context is highly valued.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Employee Ownership: A strong sense of shared responsibility, accountability, and commitment to the company's success.
- Collaboration: Emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual support across departments.
- Excellence: A drive for high-quality work, innovation, and client satisfaction.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encouraging initiative, creative problem-solving, and taking ownership of projects.
- Integrity: Upholding ethical standards in all business dealings and professional conduct.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-functional Integration: Design work is deeply intertwined with business development and project delivery, requiring constant interaction and alignment with technical teams and leadership.
- Feedback-Driven Improvement: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and processes, fostering continuous learning and adaptation.
- Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design trends, and insights across teams to elevate overall communication effectiveness.
π Enhancement Note: The employee-ownership model likely permeates the culture, creating a highly engaged workforce focused on collective success and professional growth. Designers are expected to be team players who can effectively integrate their creative vision with the company's business objectives.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be distilling intricate engineering concepts and data into visually simple and engaging formats that resonate with diverse audiences.
- Balancing Brand Consistency with Project Needs: Ensuring a unified brand identity across a wide range of projects, disciplines, and marketing initiatives while meeting specific client or campaign requirements.
- Fast-Paced Environment: Managing multiple design requests with varying deadlines, particularly during peak proposal periods, requires strong time management and prioritization skills.
- Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying current with digital design trends and adapting assets for various online platforms and technologies.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Industry-Specific Design: Gaining deep expertise in design for the A/E/C sector, understanding its unique visual language and proposal requirements.
- Strategic Marketing Contribution: Developing a more strategic understanding of how design contributes to business development and marketing goals.
- Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced professionals within the company and grow within the ESOP structure.
- Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to expand skills in areas like motion graphics, web design, or advanced data visualization through company support or self-directed learning.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a designer in a technical industry, emphasizing the need for adaptability, strong communication, and a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe your process for taking a complex engineering concept and turning it into a compelling visual. Can you walk us through an example from your portfolio?" - Focus on your methodology for understanding technical details, identifying the core message, and translating it into design.
- "How do you approach designing a proposal to stand out in the A/E/C industry? What elements are crucial for success?" - Discuss your understanding of proposal best practices, client engagement, and visual storytelling within this specific sector.
- "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse projects and platforms, especially when collaborating with different teams?" - Highlight your experience with brand guidelines, asset management, and communication strategies for maintaining brand integrity.
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What interests you about Civil Science, particularly our employee-owned model and our work in civil engineering?" - Show you've researched the company and understand its unique value proposition and industry focus.
- "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs from non-designers?" - Demonstrate your ability to listen, understand concerns, and incorporate feedback professionally.
- "Describe a time you had to balance multiple design priorities with tight deadlines. How did you manage your workload?" - Prepare to discuss your time management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Select Targeted Projects: Choose 3-5 projects that best represent your A/E/C experience, proposal design skills, and ability to visualize technical information.
- Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solution, and the outcome/impact. Use visuals to support your story.
- Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made certain design choices, linking them back to project goals or client needs.
- Showcase Flexibility: Include examples that demonstrate your ability to adapt your style for different audiences and mediums (print vs. digital).
π Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to "show, don't just tell." The interview will likely involve a deep dive into their portfolio, assessing not only their technical skills but also their strategic thinking and understanding of the business context.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Visual/Graphic Designer position:
- Submit your application through the Civil Science careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.
- Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your A/E/C industry experience and specific skills relevant to proposal design and technical visualization.
- Portfolio Curation: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest work in proposal design, marketing collateral, and the translation of complex information into visuals. Be prepared to discuss these pieces in detail.
- Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Civil Science's projects, values, and mission. Understand their client base and the types of engineering services they offer to better align your understanding and responses.
- Prepare for a Design Challenge: Be ready to potentially undertake a design exercise during the interview process that assesses your ability to interpret technical information and create effective visuals.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions tailored for a Visual/Graphic Designer role within the A/E/C sector. All details, especially regarding specific responsibilities, compensation, and interview processes, should be verified directly with the hiring organization.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have at least 2 years of graphic design experience, preferably in the A/E/C industry, and a strong portfolio showcasing their design skills. A bachelor's degree in Graphic Design is preferred, along with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.