Lead Designer

# **Lead Designer** **Blue Star** **Washington, DC | Full-Time | Onsite** Blue Star is seeking an experienced and technically strong **Lead Designer** to support our high-end residential remodeling and custom home projects from early concept through construction-ready documentation. This is not a traditional interior design role. We are looking for someone who understands residential construction, design documentation, space planning, building details, permit requirements, and the preconstruction process. The right person will play a key role in transforming client ideas, field conditions, and construction realities into clear, buildable design solutions. The ideal candidate has experience working within high-end residential remodeling or custom home construction environments and understands how design integrates directly with production, estimating, permitting, and project execution. ## **What You'll Do** In this role, you will work closely with ownership, project managers, superintendents, architects, engineers, trade partners, and clients to move projects from concept into construction. **Responsibilities Include:** - Develop residential design concepts, layouts, plans, elevations, and detailed construction drawings - Translate client goals and existing site conditions into practical and buildable design solutions - Support preconstruction through design development, scope clarification, selections coordination, and documentation - Prepare permit drawings and design packages for pricing, permitting, client review, and construction - Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, vendors, and trade partners - Assist with site verification, field measurements, and existing-condition documentation - Help identify constructability issues before projects move into production - Collaborate directly with project managers, superintendents, and field teams throughout the project lifecycle - Maintain organized project files, specifications, drawings, and design notes - Help ensure the final design aligns with budget, schedule, client expectations, and buildability ## **What We're Looking For** The ideal candidate has a strong technical design background and understands how high-end residential projects are actually built. **Qualifications:** - **3-5** years of experience in residential design, architecture, drafting, design-build, remodeling, or custom home construction - Strong understanding of construction drawings, detailing, specifications, and residential building systems - Ability to create clear, accurate, and buildable design documents - Working knowledge of permitting processes, code basics, and residential construction methods - Experience with field measuring and existing-condition documentation - Strong communication and collaboration skills with clients, consultants, project managers, superintendents, and trade partners - Ability to balance design intent with budget, schedule, and construction realities - Highly organized with strong attention to detail and a practical, solutions-focused mindset ## **Technical Skills** - Proficiency in **AutoCAD(rquired)** Experience with any of the following is highly preferred: - Revit - Chief Architect - SketchUp - 2020 Design - Design-build project delivery - Selections coordination - Permit drawing preparation - Google Workspace and Microsoft skills - JobTread, Buildertrend, CoConstruct, or similar construction management software - High-end residential remodeling or custom home construction experience - Licensed Residential Architect (preferred but not required) ## **Technology Environment** Blue Star operates in a Mac-based environment and currently utilizes Google Workspace for collaboration and communication. The company is transitioning toward Microsoft-based systems, so candidates should be comfortable working across both platforms. ## **Who You Are** You are technical, organized, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. You care about great design, but you also care about…