Interior Designer (Intermediate)

Intermediate Designer

HLW is built on the belief that exceptional design begins with exceptional people. With a 140-year legacy as a global, award winning architecture and design firm, we collaborate with leading clients to shape meaningful, future focused environments. Our culture is collaborative, inclusive, and growth-minded, offering hybrid work flexibility, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits. When you join HLW, you become part of a global community that values innovation, mentorship, and long term professional growth.

The Intermediate Designer supports the design development, documentation, and coordination of interiors projects within the NY Interiors Studio. This role is intended for a designer with growing professional experience who can contribute meaningfully to project design, presentations, documentation, material research, and consultant coordination under the guidance of Senior Designers, Project Managers, Project Architects, Job Captains, and studio leadership.

While this individual's educational background and professional training may be in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related design field, the role requires demonstrated experience working on interiors projects. This position is embedded within an interiors studio and is focused on the planning, design, coordination, and delivery of interior environments.

The Intermediate Designer is expected to bring strong design curiosity, technical awareness, graphic communication skills, and a collaborative approach to project work. This role requires the ability to work across design and documentation tasks, support the development of design intent, and contribute to well-coordinated interiors-focused deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of interiors projects from concept through design development, documentation, and construction administration.
• Contribute to space planning, design studies, test fits, finish palettes, furniture concepts, material research, precedent imagery, and presentation materials.
• Assist in translating client goals, project requirements, workplace strategy, brand, and design direction into thoughtful interiors-focused design solutions.
• Work with Senior Designers and project leadership to develop design concepts, narratives, planning strategies, and material approaches.
• Participate in internal design reviews and incorporate feedback from Senior Designers, Design Directors, Project Managers, Project Architects, Job Captains, and other project leaders.
• Support the advancement of design intent through an integrated team process, recognizing that design development is a collaborative effort between design, technical, and project leadership.

Design Development and Documentation

• Assist in the preparation and coordination of interior design packages, including plans, elevations, finish plans, reflected ceiling plans, furniture plans, material palettes, schedules, and presentation decks.
• Collaborate with Senior Designers, Project Architects, Job Captains, and technical team members to further develop the design and translate ideas into coordinated, buildable solutions.
• Support the preparation of construction documentation related to interiors, including finish plans, interior elevations, details, schedules, and specifications coordination.
• Review drawings and presentation materials for consistency, coordination, and alignment with the approved design direction.
• Coordinate with MatTech and project teams on materials, finishes, specifications, samples, and design standards.
• Assist with consultant coordination, including lighting, branding, sustainability, furniture, AV, MEP, structural, and other disciplines as required.
• Support construction administration activities related to design intent, including submittal reviews, RFI responses, site observations, punch list support, and finish / mock-up reviews, as appropriate to experience level.

Client Presentations and Communication

• Assist in the preparation of client presentations, workshops, and design meeting materials.
• Develop clear visual materials that communicate design ideas, options, recommendations, and project narratives.
• Participate in client meetings and presentations as appropriate, supporting the Project Manager, Senior Designer, and project leadership.
• Support the Project Manager and project team in documenting design decisions, client feedback, action items, and next steps.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams, consultants, vendors, and clients, as appropriate to the project role.
• Review overall design direction with Senior Designers and, when appropriate, the Design Director, to ensure alignment with project goals, studio priorities, and HLW's broader design standards.

Team Collaboration and Coordination

• Work collaboratively with designers, architects, Project Managers, Project Architects, Job Captains, consultants, and specialty teams.
• Support a team-based design process where ideas are tested, refined, coordinated, and developed collectively.
• Take direction from project leadership while also contributing ideas, observations, and recommendations.
• Manage assigned tasks, deadlines, and deliverables with accountability and clear communication.
• Coordinate regularly with project team members to understand priorities, schedule requirements, and deliverable expectations.
• Contribute to a positive studio culture through collaboration, curiosity, professionalism, and active participation in project and studio discussions.

Design Quality and Standards

• Support HLW's design standards, presentation standards, and quality expectations.
• Prepare work that is thoughtful, coordinated, visually clear, and appropriate to the client and project goals.
• Maintain awareness of current design trends, materials, furniture systems, workplace strategies, sustainability considerations, and industry innovations.
• Assist in maintaining organized project files, design documentation, material records, and presentation resources.
• Support the continual improvement of studio design tools, templates, material libraries, and work product.
• Demonstrate attention to detail in drawings, presentations, finish selections, and documentation.

Professional Development and Studio Contribution

• Continue to develop design, technical, communication, and project coordination skills.
• Seek feedback from Senior Designers, Project Managers, Project Architects, Job Captains, and studio leadership.
• Participate in internal learning opportunities, design reviews, vendor presentations, and studio initiatives.
• Support business development, marketing, award submissions, project photography, and portfolio materials as requested.
• Contribute to the studio's design culture through engagement, curiosity, and a willingness to learn across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related design field from an accredited institution.
• 5–10 years of professional experience in interior design, architectural interiors, or a related design practice, with demonstrated experience working on interiors projects required.
• NCIDQ certification, architectural licensure, or active pursuit of either credential preferred.
• Strong graphic, verbal, written communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, 3D modeling / rendering software, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Office.
• Working knowledge of building codes, ADA requirements, accessibility standards, and sustainable design principles.
• Experience with material selection, finish coordination, procurement support, and construction documentation.
• Understanding of construction, furniture, and material costs, with the ability to support design decisions that align with project budgets.
• Collaborative, proactive, and detail-oriented approach to design, communication, and project delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• LEED accreditation or familiarity with sustainable design standards.
• Experience in commercial, hospitality, or workplace design.
• Familiarity with coordinating MEP systems into project designs.
• Familiarity with material sourcing, bid processes, and furniture procurement.

Why Join Us? We offer:

• Work on innovative, impactful interiors projects for a diverse range of clients and project types.
• Collaborate with a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of interior designers, architectural designers, project managers, and technical leaders.
• Contribute to a studio culture that values design excellence, mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and advancement.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• A hybrid work environment, working 3 days per week onsite.

If you are a technical expert with a passion for design execution, we'd love to hear from you!

All applications should include your resume and portfolio or link to work samples

HLW is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, paid time off, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance plan, parental leave, financial assistance toward professional licensing and reimbursement for certification exam fees, 401(k), and commuter benefits.

The expected salary range for this position is $80,000-$1