Design Consultant / Designer

Helix Craftworks LLC; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Helix Craftworks LLC is seeking a Design Associate to translate client goals into buildable residential design concepts. The role works with Helix project leads and licensed professionals as needed, coordinating selections, documentation, and presentation materials.

Hybrid planning across client sites, with W-2 introductory employment and potential contract-to-hire. Levels range from design associate to lead designer, with clear growth tied to capability and scope ownership.

Qualifications

• Three or more years in residential interiors, kitchen and bath design, or design/build coordination.
• Portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, buildable residential work.
• Strong client communication, visual judgment, documentation, and decision management.
• Working knowledge of construction assemblies, cabinetry, fixtures, finishes, and procurement.
• Proficiency with relevant design, presentation, and documentation software.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery conversations and translate priorities into clear design direction.
• Develop space-planning concepts, finish palettes, fixture selections, and presentation materials.
• Maintain selection schedules, specifications, approvals, and procurement-ready documentation.
• Coordinate design choices with budgets, lead times, field conditions, and construction sequencing.
• Coordinate with licensed architects, engineers, and other professionals when a project requires them.

Skills

Strong communication

Visual judgment

Documentation

Decision management

Tools

Design software

Presentation software

Documentation software

Job description

This role connects the client’s goals to the realities of construction. You will develop concepts, guide selections, document decisions, and coordinate with Helix project leads and licensed design professionals when required. Helix is not an architecture firm.

Base compensation

$30–$40/hour

Schedule

Contract-to-hire for an established independent design business; W-2 introductory employment when hired as an employee

Territory

Hybrid — remote planning with client and site meetings across Southcentral PA

W-2 base compensation before overtime, bonuses, benefits, or vehicle allowances. Final offers reflect demonstrated capability, credentials, responsibility, and territory; applicants do not automatically begin at the top of a band.

• Lead discovery conversations and translate priorities into clear design direction
• Develop space-planning concepts, finish palettes, fixture selections, and presentation materials
• Maintain selection schedules, specifications, approvals, and procurement-ready documentation
• Coordinate design choices with budgets, lead times, field conditions, and construction sequencing
• Coordinate with licensed architects, engineers, and other professionals when a project requires them

Qualifications

• Three or more years in residential interiors, kitchen and bath design, or design/build coordination
• Portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, buildable residential work
• Strong client communication, visual judgment, documentation, and decision management
• Working knowledge of construction assemblies, cabinetry, fixtures, finishes, and procurement
• Proficiency with relevant design, presentation, and documentation software

You will stand out if

• Balances beauty, budget, lead time, maintenance, and constructability
• Helps clients decide without pushing a personal style
• Documents selections so field teams are not guessing
• Welcomes technical constraints as part of the design problem

Three levels. Clearer expectations.

Placement depends on demonstrated capability, judgment, and scope ownership—not years alone. The open title identifies our immediate need; the full ladder shows where the role can go.

Level 1

Design Associate

$24–$29/hour

Supports selections, documentation, sourcing, and presentation development.

Level 2

$30–$40/hour

Owns client design workflow and coordinates selections through construction.

Level 3

$41–$50/hour

Leads complex projects, mentors design staff, and strengthens the design/build system.

Ownership Pathway

Senior team members who build lasting value at Helix may be considered for a long-term ownership pathway. Opportunities can include a structured buy-in, performance-based participation, or a combination of the two. Ownership is considered individually and is not guaranteed by tenure alone.

Introductory employment

Structured checkpoints, not guesswork.

W-2 hires begin with a 90-day introductory period: skill and reliability verification in days 1–30, a written day-45 checkpoint, a day-75 recommendation, and a day-90 regular-status decision. The first compensation review occurs at six months; annual reviews follow.

Work setup

Set up to do focused work.

Helix provides the required company technology and project systems. Remote work still includes scheduled meetings, client or vendor coordination, and project-site visits appropriate to the role.

Regular full-time status

Benefits follow a successful transition.

Benefits and paid time off become available upon successful transition to regular full-time employment. Independent subcontractor engagements do not include employee benefits.

We keep applicant conversations confidential. Please do not include sensitive personal information beyond what is needed to discuss the role.