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Sustainable Design Consultant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Performs reviews of energy models and other key deliverables from external consultants to verify inputs and outcomes and provide clear feedback to design teams on findings. * Communicates sustainable ...

Our Design Consultants have an enormous passion for what they do-They Create; They Design; They ... Our commitment to your personal development will insure that success is not only sustainable, but ...

Our Design Consultants have an enormous passion for what they do--They Create; They Design; They ... Our commitment to your personal development will insure that success is not only sustainable, but ...

Our Design Consultants have an enormous passion for what they do--They Create; They Design; They ... Our commitment to your personal development will insure that success is not only sustainable, but ...

Our Design Consultants have an enormous passion for what they do--They Create; They Design; They ... Our commitment to your personal development will insure that success is not only sustainable, but ...

Our Design Consultants have an enormous passion for what they do--They Create; They Design; They ... Our commitment to your personal development will insure that success is not only sustainable, but ...

Our Design Consultants have an enormous passion for what they do--They Create; They Design; They ... Our commitment to your personal development will insure that success is not only sustainable, but ...

... and sustainability planning; roofing, solar, HVAC assessment management, pavement, building ... The Design Consultant develops roofing and building envelope designs, scopes of work ...

... and sustainability planning; roofing, solar, HVAC assessment management, pavement, building ... The Design Consultant develops roofing and building envelope designs, scopes of work ...

... and sustainability planning; roofing, solar, HVAC assessment management, pavement, building ... The Design Consultant develops roofing and building envelope designs, scopes of work ...

... and sustainability planning; roofing, solar, HVAC assessment management, pavement, building ... The Design Consultant develops roofing and building envelope designs, scopes of work ...

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Sustainable Design Consultant information

What is the difference between Sustainable Design Consultant vs Green Building Consultant?

AspectSustainable Design ConsultantGreen Building Consultant
CredentialsLEED AP, WELL AP, sustainability certificationsLEED AP, Green Globes, sustainability certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign firms, architecture firms, consulting agenciesConstruction sites, architectural firms, consulting agencies
Industry UsageDesign and planning phase, project developmentConstruction, project implementation, compliance

Both roles focus on sustainable practices, but Sustainable Design Consultants primarily work on integrating eco-friendly principles into building designs during the planning phase. Green Building Consultants often focus on implementing and certifying green building standards during construction. While overlapping, their main difference lies in the project stage and specific responsibilities.

What does a sustainable design consultant do?

A sustainability design consultant works in both public and private sectors to develop solutions to reduce an organization’s environmental impact and carbon footprint. You may work in the planning stages of a project to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations or provide recommendations for existing businesses to improve energy efficiency while reducing costs. Your responsibilities involve audits of current operations and preparation of guidelines and assessment protocols. Other duties focus on indoor air quality and daylight modeling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sustainable design consultant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sustainable Design Consultant, you need a solid background in architecture, engineering, or environmental science, along with expertise in sustainable building practices and relevant academic qualifications. Familiarity with green building certification systems like LEED, BREEAM, or WELL, as well as proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD and Revit, is typically required. Strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills help consultants effectively guide clients and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are essential for delivering environmentally responsible solutions that meet client goals and regulatory standards.

How does a sustainable design consultant typically collaborate with architects and engineers during a project?

Sustainable Design Consultants work closely with architects and engineers from the early stages of a project to ensure that sustainability goals are integrated into the design process. This often involves participating in design charrettes, reviewing plans for energy efficiency, and recommending materials or systems that minimize environmental impact. Consultants provide expertise on green building certifications, conduct site analyses, and help the team address challenges such as balancing sustainability with budget constraints. Effective collaboration relies on clear communication and a shared commitment to sustainable outcomes.
What cities are hiring for Sustainable Design Consultant jobs? Cities with the most Sustainable Design Consultant job openings:
What states have the most Sustainable Design Consultant jobs? States with the most job openings for Sustainable Design Consultant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Sustainable Design Consultant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Sustainable Design Consultant jobs are:
Infographic showing various Sustainable Design Consultant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Sustainable Design Specialist

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

At SOM, we are a collective committed to shaping a better future for our clients, communities and planet. We aspire to create the most sustainable, impactful work through creative, interdisciplinary teams with all the resources and diversity of a global firm. We value those who are passionate about excellence, innovation, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. Together we can achieve great things.
Success at SOM Means
  • Ideas: We believe in a meritocracy of ideas. We look to everyone to actively contribute to the discourse in the firm.
  • Knowledge: We believe that expertise is the result of lifelong learning. We are not expected to know everything, but rather to passionately pursue answers, develop new skills and deepen our knowledge.
  • Product: We strive for excellence in the concept, quality, and delivery of our work.
  • Individual: We value individuals who bring the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in the way they work. Each person can develop and contribute their wealth of attributes, skills and knowledge to support the overall health of the firm.
  • Team: We value the power of interdisciplinary integration. A positive team culture in which everyone collaborates openly towards common goals is essential.
  • Firm: We have a history of making transformative contributions to the profession and our communities. We are constantly innovating and attempting to bring new approaches, solutions and processes to our work.

Position Responsibilities
  • Act as point of contact for SOM design teams to integrate sustainable design strategies throughout design stages.
  • Performs environmental analysis across multiple projects including by not limited to: energy simulation, UTCI & thermal comfort, visual comfort, natural ventilation and CFD analysis.
  • Contributes to development of firm-wide whole life carbon research, analysis and application to projects.
  • Establishes and maintains SES standard analysis reporting and visualization formats for both operational and embodied carbon.
  • Performs reviews of energy models and other key deliverables from external consultants to verify inputs and outcomes and provide clear feedback to design teams on findings.
  • Communicates sustainable design and engineering systems ideas to clients and MEP consultants through visualization, imagery and analyses and is able to sustain technical discussions.
  • Performs thermal and hygrothermal simulations to support research, innovation and project designs.
  • Advise SES global team on current issues and improvements related to performance modeling, codes and environmental analytics, to continually inform direction for SES services.
  • Contributes to project work plans to incorporate relevant analysis at appropriate project stages to inform design processes and outcomes.
  • Conduct research and evaluations of emerging software and technologies that improve high performance design and its incorporation into SES Team workflows.
  • Directly trains and mentors team members and designers on sustainable engineering theory and tools deployment.
  • Demonstrates knowledge in the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
  • Contributes to the development of standards and procedures for energy and carbon reduction, including workflow and QAQC.

Leadership Responsibilities
  • Inspires and leads others by example, participates in staff mentoring and training, clearly defines team member expectations and responsibilities, empowers others, and delegates where appropriate based on team members' recognized abilities and potential.
  • In collaboration with team members, contributes to a clear and consistent work plan to achieve the project budget, deliverables, and schedule.
  • Actively engages in internal professional development opportunities.
  • Contributes to the implementation of sustainable strategies in all project assignments and the associated development of staff knowledge.
  • Contributes to the development of standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Protects SOM from financial and legal risk.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Minimum of 4 years of industry experience in Architecture, Building Science, Engineering or related fields.
  • Completion of professional degree in Architecture, Building Science, Engineering or related fields.
  • Demonstrable knowledge and use of USGBC's LEED program(s), WELL, and other green building rating programs.
  • Demonstrable technical knowledge of sustainable strategies, including renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, and implementation through building design and construction phases.
  • Proficiency in the following software and applications:
    • 3D modeling: Rhinoceros
    • Whole building energy simulation: IES Virtual Environment, EnergyPlus/OpenStudio
    • Daylight & glare modeling: ClimateStudio, IES Virtual Environment, Ladybug Tools
    • Thermal Comfort Simulation: Ladybug Tools
    • Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
  • Familiarity with the following software and applications:
    • BIM: Revit
    • Building envelope analysis: THERM, WINDOW
    • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • Demonstrable knowledge of HVAC systems and their suitability to different applications
  • Passive house certification (PHI or PHIUS acceptable), BEMP and LEED Accredited Professional is preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal, graphic, verbal and written communication skills.

Our Benefits
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life & accident insurance
Savings: 401K matching, pre-tax spending accounts, and employee discount programs
Work/Life Balance: Inquire about our hybrid/flexible schedules, paid family leave, paid vacation, backup child and elder care, and an employee assistance program
Professional Development: Reimbursement for professional licenses, associated renewals, and exam fees as well as specialized in-house career development
Compensation for this role is based upon experience, qualifications, location, and education and typically ranges from $75,000 to $90,000.
Our Culture
Our creative, interdisciplinary teams work like small, dynamic studios, with all the resources and diversity of a global firm.
We believe an inclusive environment improves our teams, our firm, and our communities and are passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our DEI Action Plan was created to bring meaningful change to our profession, starting with our own culture and practices.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Visit this page to learn more about SOM's employment policy and how to apply offline: www.som.com/employment_opportunities_and_policy
For more about SOM: www.som.com
Portfolios must be submitted for all design and project management positions (Architecture, Interiors, City Design, Graphics, etc).Applications without work samples will not be reviewed. Portfolios should be one PDF attachment, 10-20 pages, maximum 5 MB. Submit portfolios as part of your application in the section where the application asks you for your Resume or CV.