Part-Time Lead Designer (San Diego)

Part-Time Lead Designer

Hourly, Variable Project-Based Schedule | Potential to Grow into Full-Time

Compensation: $35 to $45 per hour, depending on experience

Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling is seeking an experienced Part-Time Lead Designer to join our residential design-build team in San Diego.

This position will begin part-time, with hours varying based on assigned projects, client meetings, and department workload. As our project volume increases, the position has the potential to grow into a full-time Lead Designer role.

The selected designer will initially work closely with our current Lead Designer, Jean, to learn our company, team, design standards, systems, client experience, and design-build process.

About the Role

The Lead Designer becomes involved during the Design Retainer stage and remains responsible for the design throughout design development, contract preparation, construction, and project completion.

The Lead Designer works closely with the Design Consultant and the rest of the project team to understand the client’s goals, develop the conceptual design, define the scope, assist with proposal development, present the design, and help move the project into a construction contract.

Once the construction contract is signed, the Lead Designer continues to manage the design throughout the project.

This is not a production-only design position. The right person will be comfortable working directly with clients, presenting design concepts, supporting the sales process, coordinating technical details, collaborating with construction teams, and visiting active job sites.

Key Responsibilities

Design Retainer and Sales Support

• Participate in Design Retainer Presentations with the Design Consultant
• Help explain the design process, deliverables, schedule, and next steps
• Learn the client’s goals, aesthetic preferences, functional needs, budget, and priorities
• Develop conceptual designs, space plans, layouts, and preliminary selections
• Help define the project scope and identify design-related requirements
• Collaborate with the Design Consultant, estimating team, and production team
• Assist with writing and developing project proposals
• Prepare design materials for client presentations
• Participate in Design and Bid Presentations
• Present design concepts and recommendations confidently
• Help answer client questions and support the sale of the construction contract

Design Development

• Manage the design process after the client signs the design retainer
• Create and refine conceptual designs and space plans
• Coordinate the development of 2D drawings and other design documentation
• Lead client design meetings and selection appointments
• Guide clients through showroom visits and material shopping
• Develop and finalize selections for cabinetry, countertops, tile, plumbing, lighting, flooring, finishes, fixtures, and other design elements
• Work with cabinet vendors to finalize layouts, specifications, and cabinet details
• Track client decisions, approvals, selections, and outstanding information
• Maintain design documentation and project records

Design Coordination

• Coordinate with assistant designers, drafters, cabinet vendors, architects, engineers, estimators, project managers, trade partners, and vendors
• Assign and review work completed by assistant designers or drafting support
• Review drawings, shop drawings, specifications, schedules, and design documents for accuracy
• Help ensure designs are buildable and aligned with the approved scope and project budget
• Communicate design changes and decisions clearly to the internal team
• Help prepare projects for confirmation and construction

Construction-Phase Design Management

• Remain involved after the construction contract is signed
• Finalize outstanding design details and selections
• Attend project confirmation meetings as needed
• Conduct site visits at key stages of construction
• Work with project managers and field teams to answer design-related questions
• Review installations and address field conditions that affect the design
• Help resolve design challenges while maintaining the overall design intent
• Communicate design-related changes to the client and internal project team
• Provide design continuity through construction, closeout, and project completion

Qualifications

• Professional experience in residential interior design, remodeling, or design-build construction
• Experience with kitchens, bathrooms, additions, or whole-home remodeling preferred
• Strong understanding of space planning, cabinetry, materials, finishes, fixtures, and residential construction
• Experience developing conceptual designs and reviewing design or construction drawings
• Ability to independently manage multiple design projects and deadlines
• Strong client communication and presentation skills
• Comfortable discussing design recommendations, budget considerations, scope, and construction requirements
• Ability to balance creativity with practical construction and budget considerations
• Highly organized, responsive, collaborative, and detail-oriented
• Proficiency with professional design, drawing, and presentation software
• A portfolio demonstrating completed residential design work
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to travel to client homes, showrooms, vendor locations, and project sites throughout San Diego County
• Availability to work a variable part-time schedule based on assigned project needs

Schedule and Employment Details

• Part-time, nonexempt hourly position
• $35 to $45 per hour, depending on experience
• Hours will vary based on assigned projects and department workload
• Client meetings, design meetings, showroom appointments, site visits, and other scheduled responsibilities will be coordinated in advance
• All time must be tracked by project and work activity
• Primarily an in-person position involving office work, client meetings, showroom appointments, and job-site visits
• Potential to grow into a full-time position as project volume and department needs increase

To Apply

Please submit the following:

• Resume
• Portfolio of residential design work
• Brief introduction describing your residential remodeling and design-management experience
• Examples of projects you have managed from conceptual design through construction
• Current availability

Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling is looking for a designer who wants to grow with our company, become an integral part of our design-build team, and help deliver an exceptional client experience from the Design Retainer stage through the completed project.