ARCHITECTURAL INTERN JOB DESCRIPTION

An Architectural Intern is a junior practitioner learning the discipline by doing it. The role spans production-level work - construction documents, shop drawing reviews, and design development drawings - within a licensed architecture firm pursuing projects across commercial, residential, municipal, or mixed-use sectors. What makes this position demanding is the expectation to move between technical documentation and design contribution, often on the same day. Firms hiring at this level expect candidates to be enrolled in or have completed an accredited architecture program and working toward NCARB licensure.

As the Architectural Intern, you will prepare and coordinate architectural drawings, construction documents, and design presentations that move projects from concept through permit-ready submission. You will work under the direction of licensed Architects or Project Managers, contributing across multiple project types while building the documented experience hours required for professional registration.

Career Impact: Time logged in this role counts directly toward the AXP hours required for NCARB licensure, making every project a measurable step toward becoming a registered Architect.

Business Impact: The construction documents and RFI responses this role produces determine whether projects advance on schedule and meet code compliance at permit submission.

Growth Opportunity: Interns who demonstrate proficiency across design development and documentation phases are typically promoted to Architectural Designer or Project Architect within two to four years.

Company Value: Firms in this sector commonly cover AIA, NCARB, and IDP/AXP dues and provide personalized continuing education plans, reflecting a direct investment in the Intern's licensure path.

• Prepare and coordinate construction documents, shop drawings, and project submittals across all phases of assigned projects.
• Review shop drawings and RFI submissions for compliance with project documents and applicable building codes.
• Develop design drawings, interior elevations, building sections, and finish boards under the direction of a licensed Architect.
• Research building codes, zoning standards, and material specifications relevant to active project types.
• Assist in creating presentation materials including conceptual drawings, 3D renderings, and physical or digital models.
• Participate in project meetings, construction site visits, and design discussions with the project team and consultants.
• Organize, file, and maintain project documentation, physical samples, and correspondence logs.
• Identify design or production issues and propose solutions, escalating to the supervising Architect when needed.

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or enrollment in an accredited Architectural Design program, or equivalent work experience.
• One or more years of architectural drafting or production experience, including exposure to construction documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret construction drawings, building codes, and project specifications.
• Proficiency in CAD-based drafting and BIM modeling for design development and documentation tasks.
• Strong graphic communication skills, including hand sketching and 3D visualization for design presentations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for coordination with architects, consultants, and contractors.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites and client meetings as required.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet project deadlines.

• Sustainability accreditation or active pursuit of LEED, WELL, or equivalent credential relevant to architectural practice.
• Prior exposure to multifamily, commercial, or mixed-use project types within a licensed architecture firm.
• Experience supporting proposal preparation, marketing materials, or client-facing presentations.
• Familiarity with construction administration processes including submittal logs, RFI tracking, and site observation reporting.

• RFI and submittal turnaround time, reflecting responsiveness within the project documentation workflow.
• Drawing set accuracy rate, measured by revision cycles required before consultant or permit review approval.
• AXP experience hours logged per quarter, reflecting progress toward NCARB licensure requirements.
• On-time delivery rate of assigned drawing packages relative to project milestone schedules.
• Volume and completeness of organized project files, supporting audit-readiness and team continuity.
• Typical tools: BIM authoring (commonly Revit); CAD drafting (commonly AutoCAD); rendering (commonly SketchUp or Enscape).

• Base Salary Range: $42,000 to $58,000 annually, depending on location and program enrollment status.
• Bonus: Typically not offered at intern level; merit increases common at six-month review.
• Equity: Not typically offered at this seniority level.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA or FSA options common.
• PTO: Ten to fifteen days annually, plus paid holidays; some firms offer paid sick leave separately.
• Common Perks: AIA and NCARB dues reimbursement, paid continuing education, and licensure exam support.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. A background check is required as a condition of employment. Candidates must hold current authorization to work in the United States.

The Architectural Intern owns the full cycle of design and fabrication activities, preparing conceptual drawings, 3D renderings, and construction documents across all project phases. Working alongside vendors, sub-contractors, and field personnel, the Intern supports a collaborative project team whose output directly advances both design quality and company marketing efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support all aspects of design and fabrication activities.
• Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring development of new or improved techniques and procedures.
• Prepare presentation materials such as conceptual drawings, 3D renderings and visualizations, and digital 3D and physical models.
• Develop and modify design and technical solutions throughout all phases of a project.
• Participate in and contribute to design discussions, idea generation, and design work in drawing, model, and 3D image formats.
• Generate revisions and corrections from outline mock-ups, redlined drawings, and project document sets.
• Assist with the development of construction documents and marketing efforts for the company.
• Participate in frequent construction site visits and meetings.
• Create, maintain, coordinate, review, and approve project submittals, shop drawings, RFIs, and project support documentation.
• Continually build, develop, and grow vendor, sub-contractor, and field personnel relationships.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture required.
• Sustainability accreditation preferred.
• One year of recent and relevant architectural experience required; previous experience in architecture and/or construction preferred.
• Experience in interior design and graphic design preferred.
• Proficient in Revit (2+ years experience required); experience with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, and AutoCAD preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) required.
• Portfolio demonstrating a high level of skill in design thinking and presentation media required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Demonstrates servant leadership, professionalism, diplomacy, strong written and verbal communication skills, and works well in a team environment.
• Passionate about design and construction with a positive, accountable, detail-oriented attitude and ability to learn new concepts quickly.

Reporting to an established team of professionals, the Architectural Intern shapes design and production work across all phases of the architectural process, from preparing schedules to producing and modifying AutoCAD and Revit drawings and 3D models. Partnering with a highly collaborative team, the Intern contributes directly to the quality and accuracy of design documentation that moves projects forward.

Primary Duties

• Assist with design drawings, schedules, interior elevations, and building sections.
• Research building codes, standards, and different types of building materials, lighting fixtures, and other products.
• Organize files and materials.
• Assist in the preparation of design and construction drawings and design finish boards.
• Discuss project requirements with the team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Enrolled in an accredited Architectural Design Program.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Highly motivated, organized, reliable, and resourceful.
• Strong team player with highly developed communication skills and excellent writing capabilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills.

Sitting at the intersection of technical documentation and project coordination, the Architectural Intern prepares and processes construction documents, RFIs, and submittals using Newforma software to keep projects compliant and on schedule. Operating across consultant, team, and architect relationships, the Intern supports the seamless flow of information that enables project delivery.

Duties

• Accurately prepare and coordinate project construction documents.
• Review shop drawings and project submittals for document compliance.
• Process RFIs and submittals using Newforma software.
• Manage physical samples and file documents.
• Interface directly with consultants, team members, and architects.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture.
• Revit experience is a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and Newforma; proven skills with AutoCAD and Photoshop.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment with a positive, driven attitude.

Embedded within an engineering and architecture team, the Architectural Intern delivers detailed CAD designs, diagrams, and technical manuals across the full drafting lifecycle. Working closely with architects and engineers to gather structural requirements, the Intern ensures all final designs meet regulatory standards and quality benchmarks that keep projects compliant and on track.

Core Functions

• Draw buildings from the ground up and liaise with architects and engineers to gather product and structural requirements.
• Calculate dimensions, weight limitations, and material requirements.
• Describe production methods step-by-step, including equipment and software types to be used.
• Create detailed designs using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Design diagrams, maps, and layouts to illustrate workflow.
• Prepare and review rough sketches with the engineering team.
• Identify potential operational issues and redesign products to improve functionality.
• Ensure final designs comply with regulations and quality standards.
• Create manuals describing existing products' operation, features, and maintenance.

Required Qualifications

• Proven work experience as a Drafter or similar role.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record required.
• Good math skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Hands-on experience with AutoCAD and Revit software required.
• Working knowledge of Lumion or equivalent rendering software; familiarity with 3D modelling tools required.
• Working knowledge of SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is a plus.
• Ability to travel to attend project meetings, conduct on-site consultations, and meet with team members.

A key member of an award-winning Minneapolis architecture and interior design team, the Architectural Intern delivers project support spanning design development, construction documents, and presentation drawings across hospitality, commercial, retail, municipal, residential, and manufacturing sectors. Collaborating across project teams under the direction of Architects and Project Managers, the Intern gains cross-sector experience that supports growth in design, documentation, and project management.

Functions

• Provide project support including design development and construction documents as directed by Architects or Project Managers.
• Create presentation drawings and assemble documents for distribution.
• Participate in tasks for your own training and professional development.
• Learn, collaborate, design, and draft across hospitality, commercial, retail, municipal, residential, and manufacturing projects.
• Join an award-winning Minneapolis architecture and interior design team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture
• Master of Architecture.
• Two to five or more years of professional architectural drafting experience.
• Proficiency with Revit software and demonstrated professional architectural drafting and production experience.
• Understanding of the commercial construction process and building codes a plus.

Benefit

• Full benefit package including health insurance, 401(k) match, profit sharing, dental, vision, paid time off, vacation days, paid holidays, HSA account, and bonuses.
• All AIA, NCARB, and IDP/AXP dues paid in full by company.
• Personalized continuing education plan with advancement opportunities to Senior Designer, registered Architect, Project Lead, and Project Manager.
• Ability to work remotely with a supportive, employee-centric office culture.

The work of delivering compliant architectural services on time and within budget depends on the Architectural Intern, who contributes to BIM/Revit models, CAD drawings, detailed design documentation, and project analyses across multiple engineering projects. Based within a multidisciplinary architectural engineering team, the Intern communicates with project stakeholders and supports solutions that meet both customer and statutory specifications.

Accountabilities

• Work on BIM/Revit models and CAD design drawings within a design team assisting with various projects.
• Assist in presentations and project proposals.
• Deliver architectural services meeting customer and statutory specifications on time and within budget.
• Contribute to studies and analyses, and assist with preparation of detailed designs, drawings, specifications, calculations, and reports.
• Communicate effectively with the architectural engineering team and project stakeholders.
• Identify issues and problems, develop appropriate solutions, and ask for assistance if required.

Experience & Qualifications

• Recognized degree in Architecture or equivalent leading to professional registration.
• Vacation student or internship experience in an engineering environment preferred.
• Knowledge of fundamental architectural engineering requirements and basic requirements of other engineering fields.
• Quick sketch (hand-drawn and 3D model) skills and graphic communication skills.
• Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and SketchUp; some skills in MS Office Suite.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Strong verbal communication and time-management skills with ability to work with minimal supervision.