Drafter/designer

Now Hiring for a Designer/ Drafter!

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Job Description

This entry to intermediate-level High-End Residential Designer / CAD Drafter role focuses on supporting the design development of luxury single-family residential projects. You will guide clients through design concepts and material selections, translate their decisions into precise drawings and documentation, and contribute to polished presentations that clearly communicate design intent. The position offers a full-time schedule, a competitive compensation structure based on experience, and a clear growth path into advanced design, client management, or project coordination within a luxury residential design-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Guide clients through design concepts, options, and selections for high-end residential projects, helping them understand and refine their vision.

• Coordinate showroom visits by accompanying clients to partner showrooms, walking them through materials and finishes, and helping them narrow down choices.

• Create and update CAD drawings, including plans, layouts, elevations, and detailed design documents based on client selections and overall design direction.

• Translate client selections into organized finish schedules, design boards, and specification sheets that clearly document materials and finishes.

• Prepare clean, visually clear design presentations that effectively communicate design intent, options, and recommendations to clients.

• Collaborate closely with designers, project coordinators, and vendors to ensure drawings, specifications, and selections align with project goals and quality standards.

• Design and draft both ground-up residential projects and interior layouts, ensuring accuracy in dimensions, details, and construction documentation.

• Incorporate FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) into design drawings and documentation, reflecting client preferences and project requirements.

• Support the development of interior elevations and millwork details, contributing to high-end residential design standards and aesthetics.

• Assist in rendering and 3D modeling tasks to help clients visualize spaces, finishes, and design concepts.

• Participate in client meetings at homes and showrooms, providing professional design guidance and helping manage expectations throughout the project.

• Contribute to a company culture that values ownership mindset, long-term growth, and treating the business as if it were your own.

Essential Skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD for creating and updating residential design drawings, plans, and elevations.

• 14 years of experience in residential design, drafting, or architectural support, ideally within single-family residential projects.

• Strong attention to detail and a refined sense of aesthetics aligned with high-end residential design standards.

• Comfort interacting directly with clients and guiding them through design decisions, options, and selections.

• Ability to translate design concepts into accurate drawings, documentation, and organized finish schedules.

• Demonstrated CAD proficiency, including the ability to design and draft ground-up residential projects as well as interior layouts.

• Experience with residential construction and high-end residential design environments.

• Capability to produce design drawings that integrate FF&E, interior design elements, and detailed specifications.

• Portfolio showcasing residential design or drafting work that demonstrates technical skill and design sensibility.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting high-end or custom residential projects is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with millwork, interior elevations, and finish selections enhances performance in this role.

• Proficiency or exposure to Revit, SketchUp, or Enscape is a plus for modeling and visualization.

• Experience with 3D modeling, rendering, and interior design presentation tools is beneficial.

• Background in residential design and interior design, including FF&E and finish selection processes.

• Ability to present design options clearly and manage client expectations throughout the design process.

• A mindset oriented toward growth, leadership, and long-term ownership of responsibilities, with potential to grow into leading the design department over time.

• Comfort working within a fast-paced environment handling multiple luxury residential projects and deadlines.

Work Environment

This is a full-time role based in CT, with frequent travel to client homes and showrooms throughout Fairfield County. The work environment centers around luxury residential design and a polished client experience, with daily use of AutoCAD and other design tools such as Revit, SketchUp, and Enscape where applicable. You will spend time both in-office producing drawings and documentation and on-site or in showrooms guiding clients through materials, finishes, and design options. The culture emphasizes ownership, professional growth, and the opportunity to help shape the future of the design function, with a clear path into advanced design, client management, or project coordination as the company continues to expand its portfolio of awarded and bid residential projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fairfield, CT.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $80000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fairfield,CT.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.