Independent Contractor Architectural Rendering Jobs in Illinois

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

As an Interior Designer, you will contribute to a variety of design projects to support our diverse and innovative Interior Design practice. This role is collaborative with colleagues and will work across LJC disciplines and our parent company Clayco’s construction and real estate arms to complete projects that are independent as well as that are vertically integrated in the enterprise.

The Specifics of the Role

• Participates in the conceptual design and provides full support through the entire project in collaboration with the project team.
• Develops and represents the lead technical viewpoint on projects, recommending appropriate technical solutions and product strategies Contributes to creation of marketing and presentation materials.
• Can be relied upon to present directly to the client on design and technical solutions and will be responsible for ongoing client correspondence and communication.
• Represents LJC in the community and civic events.
• Practices LJC’s core values of integrity, humility, and fearlessness.
• Contributes to LJC’s Core Councils (Design, Culture and Sustainability).

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Interior Design.
• 10+ years’ experience with interior architecture and design projects sufficient to present a portfolio demonstrating design and technical capabilities.
• NCIDQ certification or actively working toward licensure.
• Interest in obtaining LEED- and/or WELL-accreditation desirable.
• Demonstrated competence with Adobe Creative Suite, Enscape, and 3D modeling / rendering.
• Prior experience with AI tools preferred.
• Exemplary written and spoken communication.
• Comfort and poise presenting to external and internal audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal relationship-building and colleague-coaching skills. 

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide – Travel will be required.
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
  

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $95,000 - 117,500 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).