Job Title: Rhino DesignerJob DescriptionThe Rhino Designer develops detailed drawings and documentation throughout the full lifecycle of projects, from initial design through engineering and into production. This role shares ownership of projects from assignment through installation, ensuring successful implementation at every stage and smooth handoffs between teams. The Rhino Designer verifies product layouts, creates custom design solutions, validates concepts through prototyping, and packages complete specifications for design, engineering, and production. The position is highly collaborative, combining architectural design, digital fabrication, and close involvement with manufacturing to deliver custom, tangible products in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop drawings and documentation across all phases of the project lifecycle, from design through engineering and into production.
- Take shared ownership of assigned projects from initial assignment through installation, ensuring successful implementation at every stage.
- Communicate schedule and project needs to the Design Manager to support accurate resource loading and scheduling.
- Manage personal workload, schedules, and project timelines to meet deadlines and maintain high-quality output.
- Verify product layout and intended use, collaborating with project and process leads to ensure accuracy and alignment with requirements.
- Develop custom design solutions and products for custom and boutique projects in partnership with the Design Manager.
- Validate proposed custom solutions through prototyping and assess their feasibility for mass manufacture.
- Participate in client meetings to discuss feedback, clarify requirements, and maintain alignment with product and project goals.
- Prepare and package complete product specifications and documentation for Design, Engineering, and Production teams.
- Work on internal product development and special projects in collaboration with project and process leads.
- Follow best practices in digital housekeeping for project files and documentation, ensuring accuracy, organization, and ease of access.
- Maintain a regular physical presence on the production and assembly floor to support manufacturing, provide design guidance, and ensure design intent is realized.
- Collaborate closely with estimating and manufacturing teams to ensure that designs translate into efficient and high-quality physical products.
- Engage with trades and construction stakeholders, including general contractors, to support coordination and effective communication.
- Contribute to a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative design culture focused on custom, sustainable products.
Essential Skills
- 34 years of professional experience in architecture or closely related design roles.
- Degree in Architecture (Bachelors or Masters); a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) is a plus.
- Professional experience in traditional architectural phases, including schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
- Technical and design work experience at a commercial-based architecture firm.
- Proven experience producing 3D drawings in Rhino.
- Strong skills in construction documentation, including floor plans and reflected ceiling plans.
- Hands-on drafting and design experience that results in manufactured or built physical products.
- Exposure to Rhino in a professional setting, with the ability to use it for detailed architectural and product design.
- Experience with CNC, millwork, or production-focused roles that involve translating designs into tangible products.
- Exposure to trades and construction environments, including communicating effectively with general contractors.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD for architectural and fabrication documentation.
- Experience with Revit in architectural design workflows.
- Working knowledge of interior architecture and architectural design principles.
- Ability to produce design renderings to support communication of concepts and solutions.
- Experience with digital fabrication processes and tools.
- Strong understanding of design, drafting, and schematic design workflows in a professional context.
- Ability to work digitally with the goal of fabricating physical products.
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills for managing project files and documentation.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Grasshopper for parametric design is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with Dynamo for computational and workflow automation is a plus.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite to support visual communication and presentation of design concepts.
- Experience with architectural fabrication and CNC-based production workflows.
- Background in digital fabrication, working from digital models to physical products.
- Comfort working on custom and boutique projects that require tailored design solutions.
- Experience collaborating with estimating and manufacturing teams to align design intent with production capabilities.
- Ability to prototype and test design concepts to validate feasibility for mass manufacture.
- Interest in sustainable materials and products, particularly those incorporating recycled content.
- Growth mindset and interest in progressing along a clear design career path (Designer I, Designer II, Design Manager, Senior Design Manager).
Work EnvironmentThis is an in-office role based in a beautiful, modern office space located in the Merchandise Mart, directly attached to a dedicated showroom. Typical work hours are approximately 8:30/9:00 a.m. to 5:00/5:30 p.m. The design team is close to 20 people and operates in a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative environment focused on custom projects for clients across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. After ramp-up, team members may be allowed to work from home on Fridays with approval from HR, though this benefit is not tied to a fixed timeline. The role involves regular interaction with a manufacturing facility, including time on the production and assembly floor, working closely with estimating and manufacturing teams. The company emphasizes sustainability, using felt products made primarily from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with high recycled content and full recyclability at end of life. Designers benefit from the resources of a larger organization while working within a mid-sized, branded design team that retains its unique culture. The environment supports clear growth trajectories and offers competitive time-off and holiday benefits consistent between contract and direct employment. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $28.37 - $38.46/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.