How to Apply to Dlrgroup

10 min read Last updated March 7, 2026 162 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Study DLR Group's project portfolio in the sector matching your target role and reference specific projects in your cover letter — naming a recently completed school, arena, or justice facility demonstrates research that most applicants skip
  • Create two versions of your resume: a clean, single-column, ATS-parseable PDF for Greenhouse's text parser, and a visually compelling portfolio document that showcases your design sensibility as a supplemental upload
  • Quantify design performance outcomes on every project in your resume — energy savings percentages, square footage, occupant counts, LEED certification levels, and budget figures align with DLR Group's 'design performance' philosophy
  • Prepare your portfolio walkthrough as a story about process and collaboration, not just finished imagery — DLR Group interviewers want to hear how you think, how you work with other disciplines, and how you respond to constraints
  • Ask informed questions about the ESOP during interviews — understanding employee ownership signals that you're evaluating DLR Group for the right reasons and thinking about a long-term career, not just a job
  • Apply to a specific office and sector where your experience aligns most strongly rather than submitting to multiple roles simultaneously — Greenhouse tracks all your applications, and a focused approach signals clarity of purpose

About Dlrgroup

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, and planning services across a diverse portfolio of market sectors. Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the firm operates from over 30 offices across the United States and internationally, making it one of the largest employee-owned design firms in the country. Their ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) structure is a defining characteristic — every team member is a stakeholder, which cultivates an ownership mindset that permeates project delivery, mentorship, and business decisions. DLR Group organizes its work around core sectors including K-12 education, higher education, justice, civic/community, healthcare, hospitality, sports and entertainment, workplace, and transportation infrastructure. The firm's "design performance" philosophy is central to its identity: the belief that beautiful design and measurable performance outcomes are not competing priorities but inseparable ones. This translates into a culture that values both creative ambition and data-driven decision-making, with sustainability and energy performance woven into nearly every project. With 162+ open openings spanning architectural design, structural and civil engineering, interior design, mechanical engineering, and specialized planning roles, DLR Group is actively scaling across disciplines. The collaborative, studio-based culture attracts professionals who want to work across disciplines rather than in siloed departments. People choose DLR Group for the ownership stake, the breadth of project types, the emphasis on mentorship and professional development, and a genuine commitment to elevating the built environment.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Explore DLR Group's Careers Page and Sector Focus

    Visit DLR Group's careers portal, powered by Greenhouse, to browse their 162+ open roles. Filter by discipline (architecture, engineering, interiors, planning), office location, and experience level. Before applying, review DLR Group's project portfolio in the sector most relevant to your target role — understanding whether a position supports their K-12 education studio versus their sports and entertainment practice will shape your entire application narrative.

  2. 2
    Prepare Your Portfolio and Application Materials

    DLR Group is a design-driven firm, so most architecture, interior design, and planning roles expect a portfolio submission alongside your resume. Tailor your portfolio to showcase projects that align with DLR Group's sector work — educational facilities, civic buildings, healthcare environments, or mixed-use developments carry particular relevance. Engineering candidates should prepare project lists that demonstrate integrated, multidisciplinary collaboration rather than isolated structural or mechanical scope.

  3. 3
    Submit Your Application Through Greenhouse

    Complete your application through DLR Group's Greenhouse-powered portal, ensuring every required field is filled accurately. Upload your resume as a clean, ATS-parseable PDF and attach your portfolio as a separate document where prompted. Pay close attention to any role-specific screening questions — DLR Group commonly asks about licensure status, software proficiency (Revit, Rhino, Enscape), and willingness to relocate to specific office locations.

  4. 4
    Initial Recruiter or HR Screen

    DLR Group's talent team typically conducts an initial phone or video screen to verify baseline qualifications, discuss your interest in the firm's employee-owned model, and assess office location alignment. Expect questions about why you're drawn to DLR Group specifically and which of their market sectors energize you most. This conversation often covers licensure progress, years of experience with key software platforms, and your timeline for starting.

  5. 5
    Discipline-Specific Technical Interview

    The next round typically involves a conversation with a studio leader, project manager, or senior designer within the discipline you're applying to. For design roles, expect a portfolio walkthrough where you narrate your design process, decision-making, and role on each project. Engineering candidates may face technical scenario questions related to code compliance, structural systems, or MEP coordination in complex building types.

  6. 6
    Culture and Collaboration Assessment

    DLR Group's integrated practice model means cross-disciplinary collaboration is non-negotiable. Many applicants report a second or third conversation focused on how you work with other disciplines — architects interviewing alongside engineers, interior designers discussing specifications with consultants. This round often includes meeting potential teammates or studio members who assess culture fit and collaborative instincts.

  7. 7
    Offer, Negotiation, and Onboarding

    Successful candidates receive an offer that typically includes details about DLR Group's ESOP, benefits, and professional development support including ARE or PE exam reimbursement. The onboarding process at DLR Group commonly includes orientation to the firm's integrated design tools, studio workflows, and an introduction to the employee-ownership culture. Many new hires are paired with mentors early in their tenure.

Resume Tips for Dlrgroup

critical

Lead With Sector-Relevant Project Experience

DLR Group organizes its work around specific market sectors: K-12 education, higher education, justice, healthcare, civic, sports/entertainment, workplace, hospitality, and transportation infrastructure. Structure your experience section to highlight projects in the sectors most relevant to the role you're targeting. If you're applying for a role in their education studio, don't bury your school design experience beneath unrelated commercial fit-outs — make it the first thing a reviewer sees.

critical

Quantify Design Performance Outcomes

DLR Group's core philosophy is 'design performance' — the integration of design quality with measurable outcomes. Your resume should reflect this by quantifying project results wherever possible: energy performance targets achieved (e.g., 'designed to achieve LEED Gold, 40% energy reduction below ASHRAE baseline'), square footage delivered, occupant capacity, budget adherence, or post-occupancy satisfaction scores. This language mirrors how DLR Group communicates project value to their clients.

critical

Highlight Integrated and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

As a firm that houses architects, engineers, interior designers, and planners under one roof, DLR Group values professionals who thrive in integrated teams. Use your resume to describe how you've coordinated across disciplines — mention working alongside structural engineers on facade systems, collaborating with MEP teams on ceiling coordination, or partnering with interior designers on finish selections. Phrases like 'cross-functional collaboration,' 'integrated delivery,' and 'multidisciplinary coordination' resonate strongly.

recommended

Feature Revit Proficiency and BIM Fluency Prominently

DLR Group is a Revit-heavy firm with robust BIM standards and workflows. List your Revit proficiency level explicitly (e.g., 'Advanced Revit — families, schedules, worksharing, detailing'), along with related tools like Navisworks, Enscape, Rhino, Grasshopper, or Dynamo. For engineering roles, mention experience with software like RAM Structural Systems, ETABS, Trane Trace, or AutoCAD MEP. Place your technical skills section near the top of your resume so Greenhouse parses it immediately.

recommended

Include Licensure and Credential Progress

DLR Group invests in professional development and values candidates progressing toward licensure. Clearly state your licensure status: 'Licensed Architect, [State],' 'EIT, pursuing PE licensure,' 'NCIDQ Certified,' or 'ARE: 4 of 6 divisions passed.' If you hold LEED AP, WELL AP, or other sustainability credentials, include them prominently — these align with DLR Group's performance-driven design ethos and differentiate you from candidates with similar project experience.

recommended

Use AEC Industry Terminology, Not Generic Language

Your resume will be reviewed by design professionals who speak the language of the AEC industry. Use specific terminology: 'construction documents' not 'technical drawings,' 'schematic design' not 'early concepts,' 'code analysis' not 'regulatory review.' Reference project delivery methods (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CM at Risk) and contract types when relevant. This specificity signals industry fluency and helps Greenhouse's keyword matching surface your application.

nice_to_have

Tailor for Intern Roles With Academic Projects and Software Skills

DLR Group posts numerous Summer 2026 intern positions across architecture and engineering. If you're an intern applicant, emphasize relevant coursework, studio projects (especially those addressing educational or civic building types), and software competencies. Mention any experience with design-build competitions, community engagement projects, or sustainability coursework. DLR Group intern programs are structured to expose you to real project work, so demonstrate readiness by showing you've already engaged with integrated design thinking in your academic work.

ATS System: Greenhouse

DLR Group uses Greenhouse, a structured hiring platform that scores and organizes candidates through configurable scorecards, interview kits, and automated workflows. Greenhouse parses uploaded resumes to populate candidate profiles, meaning your formatting and keyword choices directly impact how your qualifications are surfaced to DLR Group's hiring managers and studio leaders.

  • Submit your resume as a single-column, cleanly formatted PDF — Greenhouse's parser struggles with multi-column layouts, text boxes, and graphics-heavy designs that are common in architecture resumes
  • Create a separate, ATS-friendly text-based resume for the upload field, and attach your designed portfolio resume as a supplemental document if the application allows multiple uploads
  • Mirror exact job posting language in your resume: if the listing says 'construction documents' and 'schematic design,' use those exact phrases rather than abbreviations like 'CDs' and 'SD' alone
  • Include both spelled-out terms and common abbreviations for key credentials and software (e.g., 'Building Information Modeling (BIM),' 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)') to maximize keyword matching
  • Fill out every field in the Greenhouse application form completely — blank optional fields can lower your profile completeness score, which some recruiting teams use as a filter
  • Greenhouse allows DLR Group to set up screening questions as knockout criteria; answer every question thoughtfully and completely, as automated filters may reject incomplete responses before a human sees your application

Complete Greenhouse Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

DLR Group's interview process reflects the firm's integrated, collaborative culture.

Expect a process that typically spans two to four rounds over three to six weeks, though intern and entry-level roles may move faster. The initial screen with a recruiter or HR representative is conversational — they want to understand your motivation for joining an employee-owned firm, your preferred market sectors, and your geographic flexibility across DLR Group's 30+ offices. The technical interview is where design and engineering candidates diverge. Architects and interior designers should prepare for a portfolio presentation — not a slide deck of pretty images, but a narrative walkthrough of your design thinking. DLR Group reviewers pay close attention to how you describe your role on each project, your design rationale, how you responded to constraints, and how performance goals (energy, daylighting, occupant wellbeing) influenced design decisions. Engineers should be ready to discuss specific technical challenges: structural system selection, mechanical system sizing, code compliance strategies, or coordination with other disciplines. Culture fit conversations at DLR Group often center on ownership mentality and collaborative instincts. Interviewers may ask how you've handled conflict on multidisciplinary teams, how you give and receive design critique, or how you've mentored junior staff. The ESOP structure means DLR Group looks for people who think like owners — professionals who care about project quality, client relationships, and the firm's long-term reputation, not just their individual deliverables. Dress code for interviews typically matches the firm's business-casual studio environment. Virtual interviews are common for initial rounds, especially when the role and candidate are in different cities. Many applicants report that the interviewers are genuinely curious, warm, and focused on dialogue rather than interrogation. Come prepared with questions about the specific studio's current projects, the mentorship structure, and how the ESOP vesting works — these signal genuine interest in DLR Group's unique value proposition.

What Dlrgroup Looks For

  • Integrated design thinking — the ability to consider architectural, engineering, and interior design dimensions simultaneously rather than working in isolation
  • Sector passion — genuine enthusiasm for one or more of DLR Group's core markets (education, justice, healthcare, sports, civic, workplace, transportation infrastructure)
  • Employee-ownership mindset — professionals who take initiative, think about business outcomes, and treat every project as if their name is on the building
  • Revit and BIM proficiency — strong technical fluency with the firm's primary production tools, including Revit, Navisworks, Enscape, and emerging computational design tools
  • Sustainability and performance literacy — understanding of energy modeling, LEED, WELL, daylighting analysis, and how design decisions impact measurable building performance
  • Collaborative communication — the interpersonal skills to work effectively across disciplines, present ideas clearly, receive critique constructively, and advocate for design excellence without ego
  • Licensure progress and professional growth trajectory — evidence that you're actively pursuing ARE, PE, NCIDQ, or other relevant credentials and investing in your professional development

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the DLR Group hiring process typically take from application to offer?
Based on common patterns in AEC firms of DLR Group's size, the process typically takes three to six weeks from initial application to offer. Intern roles for the Summer 2026 cohort may move on a more structured academic recruiting timeline, with applications reviewed in waves during fall and early winter. Factors that influence speed include the urgency of the specific studio's staffing need, the number of interview rounds required for your experience level, and how quickly you can complete any portfolio presentations or technical assessments. Staying responsive to scheduling requests and following up promptly can help keep your candidacy moving.
Does DLR Group require a cover letter with every application?
While the Greenhouse application portal may not always mark a cover letter as a required field, submitting a targeted cover letter is strongly recommended for DLR Group applications. Use it to explain why you're drawn to their specific market sector, reference a project from their portfolio that resonates with your experience, and articulate why the employee-owned model appeals to you. A well-crafted cover letter that names the specific office and studio you're targeting distinguishes you from candidates who submit generic applications. For intern applicants, the cover letter is an especially valuable opportunity to connect your academic interests to DLR Group's design philosophy.
What portfolio format does DLR Group prefer for design and architecture roles?
DLR Group typically expects a PDF portfolio that demonstrates your design process, technical competency, and range of project types. Keep it concise — 15 to 25 pages is a common sweet spot that allows you to show depth without overwhelming reviewers. Lead with projects most relevant to DLR Group's sectors, and include process sketches, diagrams, and analytical drawings alongside finished renderings to show how you think, not just what you produce. Label your role clearly on each project, especially if it was a team or academic project. For engineering roles, a project list with brief descriptions of your technical scope may substitute for a traditional portfolio.
Can I apply to multiple DLR Group office locations or roles at the same time?
Greenhouse allows you to submit multiple applications, and DLR Group's recruiters can see all of them in your candidate profile. However, applying to too many disparate roles (e.g., both a senior architect position in Chicago and a civil engineering role in Phoenix) can signal a lack of focus. A more effective strategy is to target one or two closely aligned roles — perhaps the same position in two office locations you'd genuinely relocate to, or two related roles within the same discipline. If you're open to multiple offices, mention your flexibility in your cover letter rather than submitting a scattershot of applications.
What is DLR Group's employee ownership (ESOP) and why does it matter for applicants?
DLR Group's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) means that every employee receives shares of the company as part of their compensation over time, making them literal co-owners of the firm. This isn't just a financial benefit — it shapes the culture. Employee-owners tend to be more invested in project quality, client relationships, and firm reputation because the company's success directly impacts their personal wealth. For applicants, understanding and expressing genuine interest in the ESOP during interviews signals that you're looking for a long-term career home, not just a stepping stone. Ask about vesting schedules and how ownership influences decision-making at the studio level.
What level of Revit proficiency does DLR Group expect for architectural and engineering roles?
DLR Group is a Revit-centric firm with robust BIM standards, so proficiency expectations scale with experience level. Interns should be comfortable with basic modeling, views, and sheets. Intermediate designers and engineers are expected to handle worksharing, family creation, detailed construction documents, and coordination with other disciplines in the same model. Senior professionals should understand BIM execution planning, model management, and how to leverage Revit for design analysis and performance evaluation. Supplementary skills in Enscape, Rhino/Grasshopper, Dynamo, or Navisworks are increasingly valued as the firm pushes toward computational design and advanced visualization.
How should I prepare for a DLR Group interview if I'm an intern or recent graduate?
Focus on three things: your academic portfolio, your software skills, and your curiosity about DLR Group's sectors. Select three to five studio projects that show design range and process — include at least one that addresses a building type DLR Group works on (schools, civic buildings, healthcare facilities). Be ready to discuss your role, your design decisions, and what you'd do differently with more time or knowledge. Research the specific office you're applying to, know what projects that studio has recently completed, and prepare thoughtful questions about the intern experience, mentorship structure, and what software platforms they use day-to-day. Enthusiasm and teachability matter as much as polish at this career stage.
Does DLR Group offer remote or hybrid work arrangements?
DLR Group's approach to remote and hybrid work varies by office and role, reflecting the collaborative, studio-based nature of design work. Many positions involve hands-on coordination with multidisciplinary teams, physical model reviews, and client presentations that benefit from in-person presence. That said, the firm has adapted post-pandemic, and some offices offer hybrid flexibility. Job postings on their Greenhouse portal typically specify location expectations. During the interview process, ask directly about the studio's hybrid policy — framing it as wanting to understand the team's collaboration rhythm shows you value integration rather than simply seeking remote convenience.
What keywords should I include in my resume to get past DLR Group's ATS screening?
Draw keywords directly from the job posting — Greenhouse's system and DLR Group's recruiters filter for specific terms. Common high-value keywords for DLR Group roles include: Revit, BIM, construction documents, schematic design, design development, LEED, sustainability, energy performance, code analysis, programming, space planning, integrated design, and client engagement. For engineering roles, include specific software (RAM, ETABS, Trane Trace, AutoCAD MEP) and credentials (EIT, PE, SE). Always use both the full term and its abbreviation on first mention. Avoid stuffing keywords unnaturally — Greenhouse surfaces your resume to human reviewers who will notice forced repetition.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 162 open positions at Dlrgroup

Related Resources

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Sources

  1. DLR Group Careers Page — DLR Group
  2. DLR Group Company Profile and Employee Reviews — Glassdoor
  3. DLR Group Firm Overview and Project Portfolio — DLR Group
  4. Greenhouse Applicant Tracking System — How It Works — Greenhouse Software