Visual/ Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual/Graphic Designer

Company: Civil Science

Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: February 05, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual brand identity and execution across all company touchpoints, from proposals to digital campaigns.

• Translate complex engineering concepts into clear, compelling, and visually engaging graphics and narratives.

• Drive the design of modern, polished proposals that effectively communicate Civil Science's value proposition and differentiate them in the A/E/C market.

• Develop and maintain consistent marketing collateral for multiple offices and diverse project types, ensuring brand integrity.

• Collaborate strategically with senior leadership, project managers, and cross-functional teams to align design initiatives with business objectives and marketing goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the primary focus is graphic design, the role's integration with marketing strategy and proposal development positions it within the broader GTM (Go-To-Market) and Marketing Operations sphere. The emphasis on "ownership" and "shaping creative direction" suggests a mid-level to senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and influence.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Stewardship: Own and evolve the company's visual brand identity across all internal and external communications, including proposals, digital marketing, social media, event collateral, and internal documentation.

• Proposal Design Excellence: Lead the design and layout of high-impact proposals, leveraging typography, imagery, infographics, and graphics to tell a compelling story and enhance win rates.

• Complex Concept Visualization: Transform technical engineering information and data into easily understandable and visually appealing graphics, diagrams, and infographics.

• Marketing Collateral Development: Create a wide range of marketing and sales enablement materials such as brochures, flyers, advertisements, social media graphics, website assets, and presentation decks.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with senior leadership, project managers, HR, and technical teams to understand project requirements, gather content, and translate needs into effective visual solutions.

• Digital Asset Creation: Support digital marketing efforts by designing web graphics, social media visuals, animations/GIFs, and other online assets to enhance brand presence and engagement.

• Content Strategy Support: Contribute to marketing campaign strategy by providing design insights and creating assets that align with campaign goals and target audiences.

• Print & Digital Versatility: Design for both print and digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and optimal visual quality across all mediums.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for not just design execution but also strategic thinking in how visuals support business objectives, particularly in proposal wins and brand building within the A/E/C sector. This implies a proactive approach to understanding client needs and market positioning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional graphic design experience.

• Mandatory: Proven experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) industry.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat are essential.

• Visual Branding Expertise: Strong understanding of brand development, visual identity systems, and maintaining brand consistency across diverse applications.

• Proposal Design Acumen: Proven ability to design compelling and persuasive proposals, understanding layout, typography, and storytelling through visuals.

• Complex Information Design: Skill in translating technical or complex data into clear, engaging infographics and visual aids.

• Typography and Layout: Excellent command of typography, layout principles, and visual hierarchy to create aesthetically pleasing and functional designs.

• Cross-Functional Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with non-designers and articulate design rationale.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to approach design challenges with originality, imagination, and a focus on effective solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with animation or motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects) for digital assets.

• Familiarity with web design principles or content management systems (CMS).

• Understanding of UX/UI principles for digital design.

• Experience with project management tools for design workflows.

• Knowledge of pre-press and print production processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on A/E/C industry experience and proposal design is a critical differentiator. Candidates should be prepared to showcase projects that demonstrate an understanding of technical content and its visual representation within this specific sector.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A/E/C Industry Focus: A significant portion of the portfolio must showcase design work specifically for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) sector. This includes proposals, project showcases, and marketing materials relevant to engineering services.

• Proposal Design Case Studies: Detailed examples of proposal designs, highlighting the challenge, your design approach, the execution (layout, graphics, typography), and the impact (e.g., client feedback, win rates if applicable).

• Brand System Examples: Demonstrations of how you've applied and evolved brand guidelines across various collateral types, showing consistency and creative interpretation.

• Infographic & Data Visualization: Examples of complex data or technical information effectively visualized through infographics, charts, or diagrams.

• Versatility Showcase: A range of projects demonstrating proficiency across different mediums (print, digital, social) and asset types (brochures, ads, web banners, presentations).

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Ability to articulate your design process from brief to final delivery, including stages for concept development, feedback integration, revisions, and final output.

• Collaboration Protocols: Examples of how you manage feedback from multiple stakeholders and incorporate revisions efficiently while maintaining design integrity.

• Asset Management: Understanding of organizing and managing design files and assets for efficient retrieval and reuse across projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. It's not just about aesthetic appeal but about demonstrating the ability to translate technical A/E/C content into persuasive and professional visual communications. Quantifiable results or specific client feedback related to design impact are highly valuable.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on the location (Idaho Falls, Idaho), experience level (2-5 years), and the specialized A/E/C industry requirement, a competitive salary range for a Visual/Graphic Designer is estimated to be between $60,000 to $85,000 annually.

📝 Enhancement Note: This estimate is derived from research of graphic designer salaries in Idaho Falls and similar mid-sized cities in the US, factoring in the additional specialization required for the A/E/C industry and proposal design. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio strength, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): As a 100% employee-owned firm, you'll have ownership in your future, growing your career and retirement savings.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Three weeks of PTO annually, designed to promote work-life harmony.

• Holidays: Eight paid holidays per year.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage:

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance

• Life Insurance: Provided to support employees and their families.

• Disability Coverage: Short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Tuition Reimbursement: Support for continued education and professional development.

• 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan to supplement ESOP benefits.

• Work-Life Harmony: Flexibility in work arrangements to complement personal life.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week.

• While the role is on-site, the company emphasizes "Work-Life Harmony," suggesting a potential for some flexibility in daily schedules, provided business needs and project deadlines are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ESOP is a significant differentiator and a strong selling point for employee retention and long-term commitment. The comprehensive benefits package, especially for a firm of this size, is attractive.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Architecture, and Construction (A/E/C) Services. Civil Science is a firm that specializes in providing engineering, surveying, planning, and technical solutions.

Company Size: Over 40 years of expertise, with a team of talented engineers, surveyors, planners, and technicians. The company is 100% employee-owned (ESOP), which typically fosters a culture of shared responsibility, commitment, and collaboration.

Founded: Over 40 years ago, indicating a stable, experienced, and established firm with a long-standing reputation.

Team Structure:

• Design-Centric Role: The Visual/Graphic Designer will be a key member of the marketing or business development team, working closely with senior leadership, project managers, and technical experts.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires significant interaction with various departments to gather project details, understand client needs, and align visual strategies with business goals.

• Growth-Oriented Environment: As an employee-owned firm with a "bold vision for the future," the culture likely emphasizes innovation, continuous improvement, and individual contribution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While not explicitly stated as a "data-driven" design role, the need to translate complex engineering concepts implies a methodical approach to understanding and simplifying technical information.

• Collaborative Process: The emphasis on partnering with teams suggests a workflow that incorporates input and feedback throughout the design process, rather than a purely top-down approach.

• Efficiency and Quality: The company's longevity and employee-ownership model suggest a focus on delivering high-quality services efficiently and effectively.

Company Website: civilscience.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The employee-owned structure (ESOP) is a significant cultural driver, suggesting a highly engaged workforce where individual contributions have a direct impact on company success and personal financial growth. This can translate into a more collaborative and accountable work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Visual/Graphic Designer with a specialization in the A/E/C industry and proposal design. It offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to "own the visual brand," indicating a level of responsibility beyond entry-level design tasks.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the designer will "partner directly with senior leadership, HR, project managers, and teams." This suggests reporting to a Marketing Manager, Director of Business Development, or potentially a senior executive overseeing communications and branding.

Operations Impact: The Visual/Graphic Designer's role is crucial for enhancing Civil Science's market presence and win rates. By creating compelling proposals and strong branding, the designer directly influences client perception, business development success, and overall company growth. This role bridges creative execution with tangible business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become the go-to expert for A/E/C design and proposal best practices within the firm.

• Leadership Potential: As the company grows and evolves, there may be opportunities to lead design projects, mentor junior designers, or take on a more strategic role in brand management.

• Skill Expansion: Potential to expand into areas like UI/UX design for web properties, animation, or digital marketing strategy support, driven by company needs and individual interest.

• ESOP Growth: Direct benefit from the company's success through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, providing long-term financial growth alongside career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "own the visual brand" aspect implies a significant opportunity for impact and recognition. For ambitious designers, this role offers a chance to shape the visual identity of an established, employee-owned firm, which can be a strong differentiator for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This suggests a traditional office environment where collaboration and in-person interaction are valued.

Office Location(s): Idaho Falls, Idaho. This location offers a specific regional context for the work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The designer will work in a collaborative setting, interacting with various teams and leadership. This environment is conducive to idea sharing and integrated project development.

• Technical Environment: The company operates in the technical A/E/C sector, meaning the design work will be grounded in engineering principles and project specifics.

• Creative Freedom within Structure: While the role requires adherence to brand guidelines and technical accuracy, there's an emphasis on "imagination," "creativity," and "solving creative challenges," suggesting a supportive environment for design innovation.

Work Schedule:

• The role is Full-Time, with standard working hours likely around 40 hours per week.

• The company's emphasis on "Work-Life Harmony" suggests a culture that respects employees' time outside of work, potentially allowing for some flexibility in daily start/end times, provided deadlines are met and collaboration is maintained.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature implies a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for design roles that require frequent feedback and brainstorming sessions, especially when translating complex technical information.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess basic qualifications and alignment with A/E/C industry experience.

• Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, focusing on A/E/C projects, proposal design, and problem-solving approaches. Expect questions about design choices, rationale, and process.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders (e.g., senior leadership, project managers) to evaluate communication skills, collaboration style, and understanding of the company's business objectives and technical environment.

• Final Interview: May involve a discussion on company culture, career aspirations, and final fit assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for A/E/C: Prioritize projects from the A/E/C sector. Clearly label each project with its context (e.g., "Proposal Design for Infrastructure Project," "Branding for Engineering Firm").

• Showcase Proposal Design: Include at least 2-3 strong examples of proposal layouts, highlighting how you translated technical content into visually appealing and persuasive documents. Explain your strategic design choices.

• Demonstrate Brand Stewardship: Include examples of how you've applied and maintained brand consistency across different collateral types.

• Highlight Problem-Solving: For each project, briefly explain the design challenge, your solution, and any positive outcomes or feedback received. For proposals, discuss how your design aimed to differentiate the company.

• Prepare to Discuss Process: Be ready to articulate your design workflow, how you manage feedback, and your approach to collaborating with non-designers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise (Potential): Be prepared for a small design exercise or a take-home assignment that might involve creating a visual asset based on provided technical information or developing a concept for a marketing piece.

• Technical Content Translation: Practice explaining how you would approach visualizing complex engineering concepts.

• Brand Consistency: Think about how you would ensure brand consistency across diverse materials for a company like Civil Science.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on A/E/C experience means candidates should be ready to discuss their understanding of the industry's visual language and proposal requirements. Portfolio preparation is critical, as it will be the primary tool for demonstrating relevant skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for proposal layout, brochures, and multi-page documents. High proficiency required for complex layouts and print-ready output.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for creating logos, icons, infographics, technical illustrations, and vector graphics.
  • Photoshop: Used for image editing, manipulation, creating digital assets, and web graphics.
  • Acrobat Pro: For creating, editing, and managing PDF documents, especially for final proposal submissions and interactive elements.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) is not explicitly required but understanding how marketing collateral integrates with sales processes can be advantageous.

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) for digital campaign asset creation might be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign and Illustrator for proposal and technical graphics, is non-negotiable. Candidates should be ready to discuss their advanced techniques and workflows within these applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Employee Ownership: A strong sense of shared responsibility, accountability, and commitment to the company's success, driven by the ESOP model.

• Excellence and Innovation: A drive for high-quality work, continuous improvement, and finding innovative solutions, reflected in both engineering services and design execution.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: A culture that values cross-functional partnerships and collective effort to achieve common goals.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encouragement for individuals to take initiative, ownership, and contribute to the company's growth and direction.

• Work-Life Harmony: Respect for employees' personal lives and a commitment to fostering a sustainable work-life balance.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The role requires working closely with diverse teams, including technical experts and leadership, necessitating a collaborative and adaptable communication style.

• Feedback Integration: A willingness to receive and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment with project and business objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: As an employee-owned firm, there's likely an implicit value placed on sharing expertise and best practices across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The ESOP structure profoundly influences the culture, fostering a deep sense of belonging and shared purpose. Candidates who value teamwork, ownership, and contributing to a collective success will likely thrive here.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Technical Complexity: The primary challenge will be effectively visualizing highly technical engineering concepts for a diverse audience, ensuring accuracy and clarity without oversimplification.

• Balancing Brand Consistency and Project Needs: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across a wide range of materials while meeting the unique requirements of different projects and clients.

• Managing Stakeholder Feedback: Navigating feedback from multiple stakeholders with varying perspectives and design knowledge to achieve consensus and deliver optimal results.

• Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to the demands of a growing engineering firm, which may involve tight deadlines for proposals and marketing campaigns.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• A/E/C Design Specialization: Deepen expertise in visual communication strategies specific to the engineering and construction industry.

• Proposal Design Mastery: Become a leader in crafting winning proposals through impactful design.

• Expanded Digital Skills: Opportunity to develop skills in motion graphics, web design, or digital campaign asset creation.

• ESOP Education: Gain a deeper understanding of employee ownership and its implications for personal and professional growth.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders or experienced colleagues within the firm.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of translating technical information is a core aspect of this role and an excellent opportunity for growth. Candidates who can develop robust methodologies for this will find success and recognition.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a complex engineering concept and translating it into a clear visual."

• "Walk us through your most impactful proposal design. What were the key challenges, and how did your design contribute to its success?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of marketing collateral for different project types?"

• "Imagine you receive conflicting feedback from a project manager and a senior executive on a design. How would you handle this situation?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for an employee-owned firm like Civil Science?"

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to the success of an engineering company?"

• "Describe a time you collaborated effectively with technical experts or non-designers."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative is Key: For each portfolio piece, tell a story. Explain the client/project, the objective, your role, the design process, the challenges, and the outcome.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., "This design helped win X project," "Improved engagement by Y%"). If not quantifiable, describe the qualitative impact or strategic intent.

• Highlight A/E/C Relevance: Explicitly connect your design decisions to the needs and context of the A/E/C industry.

• Showcase Proposal Expertise: Dedicate significant time to discussing your proposal design work, emphasizing layout, storytelling, and persuasive visual elements.

• Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Briefly discuss any technical aspects of your designs or your understanding of engineering concepts if relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare specific examples that demonstrate not only design skill but also strategic thinking, problem-solving, and an understanding of the business objectives within the A/E/C sector. The portfolio walk-through is the most critical part of the interview.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual/Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Civil Science careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your resume and portfolio are tailored to highlight your A/E/C industry experience and your strongest proposal design work.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and your experience with visual branding and complex information design. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and how your work supports business objectives. Prepare to answer questions about collaboration and working within a technical industry.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Civil Science’s projects, values, and the benefits of their employee-owned structure. Understand their current visual presence to better articulate your contributions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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