--- title: 'Architectural Designer at DISHER' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/architectural-designer-disher-grand-rapids-ccrxznqwyx7m' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-23' --- # Architectural Designer at DISHER - **Company:** DISHER - **Location:** Grand Rapids, MI - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-08-11 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-23 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/disher/35f42405-2a11-41f5-b3aa-fbb6732f7ec4 ## Job description Architectural Designer or Architect – Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo, Michigan DISHER is excited to partner with a collaborative design studio on an Architectural Designer or Architect based out of either their Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids studio. This studio integrates architecture, interior design, and experiential branding from the inception of every project, in order to design experiences and places that foster happiness, health, and connection, helping people live their everyday lives more fully. As an Architectural Designer/Architect, you will contribute to a variety of project types and sizes, through all phases of Design, from concept development to implementation. What It's Like to Work Here: You’ll join a passionate community of designers, thinkers, and doers who believe one size never fits all. Here, every team member’s unique value is celebrated, and every voice is heard. The studio thrives on optimism, hospitality, and creative exploration, supporting each other to grow as professionals and as people. This is your opportunity to be part of a culture that values continuous learning, building strong partnerships, and the power of design to make a real difference, where you can shape not just projects, but the future of the studio itself. What you will get to do: - Collaborate from day one with a multidisciplinary team of interior designers, architects, and graphic designers, ensuring every project benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise. - Develop 3D models, visualizations and presentation materials that communicate design intent. - Produce project deliverables & documentation while maintaining project schedule. - Learning, utilizing & implementing the design process within all phases of design. - Work closely with designers, experiential designers, fellow architects, vendors and constructors. - Share knowledge and experiences with the team and help others with architectural detailing - Help develop standards and drive efficiency into firm practices and procedures. - Research, follow & share industry changes, evolutions and best practices. - Support the continued growth and culture of the studio through collaboration and positive team engagement. - Participate in a collaborative studio environment where every project is approached as a unique opportunity. - Contribute to a culture of optimism, hospitality, and creative exploration, supporting the studio’s core values in every interaction. What will make you successful: - 1-7 years professional commercial architectural design - Advanced degree in Architecture or Design preferred, with a rigorous design education - Licensure preferred, or on track to take licensure exams. - Experience in architectural documentation & organization - Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills - Graphics and visualization skills to effectively communicate design ideas - Proficiency with architectural design software such as SketchUp, ArchiCAD or Revit and visualization tools including Adobe Creative Suite or similar programs. - Knowledge and application of Building Codes - A strong design sensibility which leads to the enhancement of design through technical innovation and processes - Technical skills and experience in Construction Document Preparation - Applicable knowledge of industry standards & resources - Collaborative, team-conscious, and detail oriented - Proactive, Positive, can-do attitude, committed to growth & learning. ## About DISHER ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: DISHER is an engineering, product development, manufacturing technology, and talent solutions firm that partners with clients to innovate and build custom solutions across diverse industries. - **Entity Type**: Private (Employee-Owned via ESOP) - **Headquarters**: Zeeland, Michigan, USA - **Founded**: 2000 - **Founders**: Jeff Disher ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Engineering Services, Product Development, Manufacturing Technology, Talent Solutions - **Target customers**: B2B, primarily mid-market to Fortune 500 companies across a wide range of industries including automotive, consumer goods, medical, and industrial equipment in the US and globally. - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Making a Positive Difference" — through integral relationships and innovative solutions with customers, coworkers, and communities. Their vision is to leave the world better than they found it. ## Products & Services - **Product Development**: Integrated design and engineering services from concept through production, covering mechanical, electrical, and software engineering. - **Manufacturing Solutions**: Services to streamline processes, boost productivity, and advance manufacturing technology, including automation and process optimization. - **Electronics Engineering**: Design and development of electronic systems and embedded solutions. - **Talent Solutions**: Staffing and consulting to place top engineering, design, and technical talent into client teams (both short-term contractors and permanent hires). - **DISHER Extended Network (DEN)**: A vetted network of freelance and contract professionals (engineers, designers, project managers) who work on a project-by-project basis for DISHER clients. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (Private, ESOP-owned company). No external funding rounds. - **Key Metric**: Core team of 130+ employees, with an extended network (DEN) of over 70 experts. Headcount has grown significantly from a one-person operation founded in 2000. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (100% employee-owned). Bi-weekly meetings review state of the business, indicating strong internal transparency on financials. - **Growth Signals**: 130+ core team members signals steady, stable growth over 20+ years. They are an award-winning firm that augments teams for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, indicating strong reputation and demand. ## Competitive Advantages - **Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)**: Every full-time core employee becomes an owner of the company, fostering a strong sense of ownership and alignment with the company’s long-term success. This is a powerful differentiator. - **Strong, Intentional Culture**: Built on 12 core culture characteristics (e.g., Unvarnished Communication, Trusting Relationships, Innovation, Stewardship) that are actively lived out through weekly team lunches, offsites, and ongoing feedback. - **Flexibility & Autonomy**: No fixed start/end times for workdays. Team members are encouraged to work where they are most productive (office, remote, or at client sites). - **High Employee Satisfaction**: 98% of teammates say DISHER is a great place to work, as per their internal Great Place to Work survey. - **Community Commitment**: 10% of profits are given back to community and nonprofit organizations. Employees get 20 paid hours of volunteer time annually. ## Strategic Focus - **Deepening Client Partnerships**: Moving beyond being "extra hands" to becoming true partners that help clients achieve their vision. - **Continuous Improvement**: Using workplace assessments (Great Place to Work, Denison Organizational Culture Survey) to refine culture and operations. - **Talent Development**: Investing heavily in their people through DISHER University, individual coaching, and personal development opportunities to maintain a high-caliber team. - **Expanding the Extended Network (DEN)**: Growing their network of vetted freelance talent to provide flexible, scalable solutions for clients. ## Why Work Here - **Culture is Core**: DISHER intentionally builds a collaborative, transparent, and supportive environment. Their 12 core characteristics guide how employees treat each other and customers. - **Flexible & Remote-Friendly**: They have no fixed daily start/end times and support working from the office in Zeeland, MI, from home, or at client locations, based on what is most productive. - **Exceptional Benefits**: - **Employee Ownership (ESOP)**: Full-time employees are immediately enrolled in an ESOP, providing a unique retirement benefit in addition to a 401k. - **Generous Time Off**: Up to 4 weeks of vacation plus 11 paid holidays. - **Parental Leave**: 2 weeks off after the birth or adoption of a child. - **Paid Impact Time**: 80 hours per year for community service, professional development, and charitable work. - **Insurance**: Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health resources. - **Team Bonding & Events**: Weekly all-team Friday lunches, two companywide offsites per year, a Christmas party, a summer picnic, and group sports sponsorships. - **Growth & Development**: Formal programs like DISHER University, educational reimbursement, individual coaching, and subject matter communities. ## Sources 1. [disher.com - Company Homepage](https://www.disher.com/) 2. [disher.com - About Us](https://www.disher.com/about/) 3. [disher.com - Careers Page](https://www.disher.com/careers/) 4. [disher.com - Our Culture Page](https://www.disher.com/our-culture/) 5. [jobs.lever.co/disher - Job Listings](https://jobs.lever.co/disher) ## Other roles at DISHER - [Design Engineer - Contract](https://feeny.ai/job/design-engineer-contract-disher-portage-fdrez7p6n9w6) — Portage, MI - [Lead Product Design Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-product-design-engineer-disher-holland-dvfs1p1jp5qr) — Holland, MI - [Controls Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/controls-engineer-disher-holland-y8p56z65ghyw) — Holland, MI - [Electrical Controls Engineer - Contract](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-controls-engineer-contract-disher-remote-ecc17gcegcgp) - [Design Engineer - Contract](https://feeny.ai/job/design-engineer-contract-disher-zeeland-3pnfp4rjjst1) — Zeeland, MI - [Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-disher-indianapolis-cn68xey4f4bx) — Indianapolis, IN - [Production Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/production-supervisor-disher-grand-rapids-dvh7x9tnv13b) — Grand Rapids, MI - [Additive Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/additive-technician-disher-grand-rapids-zp54cmc93sza) — Grand Rapids, MI - [Test Engineer - Contract](https://feeny.ai/job/test-engineer-contract-disher-portage-czyrjx18n8z9) — Portage, MI - [Test Automation Engineer - Contract](https://feeny.ai/job/test-automation-engineer-contract-disher-portage-n5mggdsd2mb6) — Portage, MI