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Senior architectural designer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Emily McLaughlin,

Dak Kopec Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior architectural designer skills. We ranked the top skills for senior architectural designers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 24.2% of senior architectural designer resumes contained revit as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior architectural designer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior architectural designer skills for your resume and career

1. Revit

Revit, also known as Autodesk Revit, is computer software used by architects, structural engineers, and designers to perform building modeling tasks. Revit was designed to facilitate users, draw building modeling structures in a 2D and 3D format. Creating such models allows architects and engineers to pre-planning, scheduling, estimating the life of the structure and the entire cost of construction.

Here's how senior architectural designers use revit:

Authored USACE Architectural specifications using USACE SpecIntact * Completed Revit Architecture 2009 online training
Produced project renderings and animations in Revit for marketing purposes.

2. Autocad

Here's how senior architectural designers use autocad:

Designed and prepared permitting plan sets utilizing AutoCAD.
Produce up to date Construction Documents, converting existing electronic drawings using AutoCAD 2011.

3. Design Concepts

Here's how senior architectural designers use design concepts:

Design modifications to existing machinery and implemented new design concepts from start to finish.
Established the architectural and interior design concepts for both commercial and residential interiors.

4. BIM

BIM or Building Information Modelling is a process in which buildings, infrastructure, and other physical structures and places are translated into digital means, into various forms of computer files, 3D models, and digital plans.

Here's how senior architectural designers use bim:

Transformed initial project design proposals into articulate BIM models -Produced presentations and graphic communication material for clients and management.
Design development Advanced surface modeling Presentation rendering Tender contract preparations BIM team member using Digital Project Completed IDP, Spring 2012

5. Design Development

Design development is used to refer to a number of positions and skills in a number of different industries. In the architectural world, Design Development is used to refer to an architectural plan that is already halfway or more done but needs further development, alteration, and testing. In the automotive industry, it refers to the skills necessary to create and develop new car, engine, and other designs, as well as to ensure that all designs are safe and effective.

Here's how senior architectural designers use design development:

Involved in every stage of the architectural process: schematic design, design development, and marketing, etc.
Involved in architectural design development and deliverables for industrial building complex facilities and onsite infrastructures.

6. Visualization

Here's how senior architectural designers use visualization:

Project designer; visualization; project coordination.
Used 3-D modeling and visualization to illustrate vast potential of experiential effects based on optimal room layout and prop placement.

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7. Project Design

Here's how senior architectural designers use project design:

Manage design team through programming, project design, detailing, construction documents, and specifications.
Project design on civic, municipal and international projects.

8. Design Process

The process by which a product is formed is referred to as the design process. It requires the conceptualization of what the product may look like in terms of aesthetics, what it will be made of and most importantly, what it will do. A design process puts this process in order so that the creation of the product is seamless and has the least amount of errors and slack while it is being made.

Here's how senior architectural designers use design process:

Followed engineering design process from beginning to proposal of specific, concrete recommendations for an inexpensive passive solar greenhouse allowing earlier planting
Conducted research to determine cultural and social implications of project design to ensure culturally conscience design process within a given region.

9. Construction Administration

Here's how senior architectural designers use construction administration:

Performed construction administration, project and facilities management, and Americans with Disabilities Act surveys for Fortune 500 clients.
Performed construction administration for Historical renovations - Produced / Coordinated Construction Documents for Historically located mixed-use buildings and major project renovations.

10. MEP

MEP is generally a term used in construction, and it stands for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. MEP engineering refers to the process of developing, planning, and managing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system of a building or architecture.

Here's how senior architectural designers use mep:

Based within site office and having close working relations with the client, design architects, structural engineers and MEP engineers.
Developed construction documents for primary projects, which required biweekly coordination with structural and MEP engineers.

11. Architectural Project

Here's how senior architectural designers use architectural project:

Manage the Design Draft Team and architectural projects.
Design and drafting for residential and commercial architectural projects Project Management Office standards and drawing review

12. CAD

Here's how senior architectural designers use cad:

Developed with Principal architect and consulting engineers multiple projects for various pharmaceutical campus including preparation of primary plans by CAD.
Redeveloped existing CAD systems to industry standards.

13. Construction Drawings

Here's how senior architectural designers use construction drawings:

Coordinated drawings, and prepared drawing sheet files for construction drawings sets and maintained project tracking system.
Direct activities of team members engaged in preparing construction drawings and specifications for the project manual.

14. Autodesk

Autodesk refers to a software corporation based in California. The company produces several software products, including those used for engineering, architecture, construction, entertainment, and manufacturing. Versions of the software allow manufacturers and architects to plan and construct products and buildings, however Autodesk also has software for game development and animation.

Here's how senior architectural designers use autodesk:

Experience installing and custom configuring Autodesk products in stand-alone and network environments.
General CAD duties using Autodesk Architecture 2004 & 2010.

15. Cost Estimates

Here's how senior architectural designers use cost estimates:

Reviewed preliminary and design drawings to prepare cost estimates for value engineering efforts.
Assisted with building material cost estimates for architecture and civil engineering projects.

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What skills help Senior Architectural Designers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on senior architectural designer resumes?

Emily McLaughlin

Interior Design Technology Program Director and Associate Clinical Professor, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Those students who have participated in internships or coops to gain a practical understanding of the modern problems our professionals are facing with regards to health and wellness in the built environment will be in high demand. In addition, the passing of examinations which prove competency in these areas, such as becoming WELL AP or LEED AP certifiied, will set those individuals apart from others who have not mastered such topics. Multidiciplinary knowledge which showcases an understanding of the overlaps that exist between the fields of Engineering, Architecture, Construction, and Interior Design are important, and of course strong communication skills both in oral and written communication are useful to showcase as well.

What senior architectural designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dak Kopec Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Design thinking. This can be done by looking for certificates or attending a series of seminars. The COVID-19 virus has opened up numerous opportunities to shape an Interior Designer's scope. Using Design Thinking as a means to solve problems will enhance a person's marketability.

Additionally, I would recommend learning about disease transmission and pathology. With a stronger foundation in these areas, the interior designer will be better equipped to address the infection control expectations that will likely be required of future Interior Designers.

What type of skills will young senior architectural designers need?

Carmita Sanchez-Fong

Professor and Chairperson, Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY

Interior Design graduates must have a global view and be prepared to work across social, cultural, economic, physical, and environmental contexts. They must understand human-centered design theories and provide practical, evidence-based design solutions that respond to the end-user needs while promoting health and well-being. They must understand the principles, processes, ethics, and responsibilities of the interior design profession and its value to society. They must participate in interdisciplinary collaborations and must be able to deliver compelling visual, verbal, and written presentations.

What technical skills for a senior architectural designer stand out to employers?

Kristen DeWolf

Director, Career Services, Syracuse University

This is certainly highly dependent upon the industry the employer is in/type of work being done; however, MSExcel is one of the key skills that I hear over and over again from employers across many industries. Researching the employer/industry and understanding the technologies most used (and learning those programs if you don't already) is a great way for a candidate to stand out. There are plenty of opportunities to learn technical skills on sites such as LinkedIn Learning. When a candidate can show they're paying attention and have learned the skills to hit the ground running, the more valuable they will be as a candidate.

What soft skills should all senior architectural designers possess?

Vibhavari Jani

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Critical thinking, interpersonal communication, collaboration, and ability to lead.

What hard/technical skills are most important for senior architectural designers?

Vibhavari Jani

Associate Professor, Kansas State University

Ability to master various software: Revit, Rhyno, Sketchup, 3D rendering software (Enscape and Lunion), BIM.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior architectural designer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a senior architectural designer resume and required skills for a senior architectural designer to have include:

Revit
Autocad
Design Concepts
BIM
Design Development
Visualization
Project Design
Design Process
Construction Administration
MEP
Architectural Project
CAD

Construction Drawings
Autodesk
Cost Estimates
Construction Management
IBC
Space Planning
New Design
Plumbing
Shop Drawings
Master Planning
Commercial Buildings
Architectural Drawings

Presentation Drawings
Residential Projects
HVAC
AIA
Site Inspections
Drawing Packages
Office Buildings
Food Processing
Technical Drawings
Windows
NYC

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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