In Office, Assistant Designer (AD)

Workstream; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

SIMPLE IRA matching

Profit sharing

Mobile phone stipend

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

MAK Design + Build in Davis, California is seeking an Assistant Designer to join a collaborative team focused on residential remodeling. You will contribute through drafting, modeling, rendering, and client‑facing materials from day one, while growing your design judgment and production skills.

The role emphasizes attention to detail, curiosity, and clear communication as you support project delivery from concept through permit readiness and construction.

Qualifications

• Relevant education, training, or early‑career experience in architecture, interior architecture or design, drafting, or a related field.
• Working proficiency in CAD or BIM software and the ability to produce accurate drawings and models. Vectorworks experience is a plus, not a requirement.
• Foundational space‑planning, rendering, graphic‑presentation, and general computer skills.
• Strong organizational habits and the ability to maintain clean files, notes, and task lists.
• Interest in residential remodeling, construction, materials, building science, and learning how design decisions affect the field.
• A portfolio or work samples that demonstrate clear thinking, technical care, and visual communication.

Responsibilities

• Complete assigned drafting, modeling, rendering, documentation, and redline tasks accurately and on time.
• Update as‑builts, plans, elevations, schedules, and presentation materials under the direction of a project lead.
• Prepare meeting packets, sample boards, selections, renderings, and other client or project‑support materials.
• Organize project files, vendor information, product data, sample requests, meeting notes, and assigned action items so information stays current and easy to find.
• Maintain MAK drawing standards, file organization, layer and class standards, and naming conventions.
• Support permit and construction‑document production by completing clearly defined scopes cleanly and consistently.
• Participate in client and internal meetings as support, follow through on assigned action items, and communicate status, questions, and risks early.
• Coordinate professionally with Project Designers, Project Managers, Estimating, Consultants, Vendors, and Trade Partners when assigned.
• Build practical knowledge of residential construction, code basics, materials, fixtures, finishes, and MAK's design + build process.

Skills

CAD proficiency

BIM proficiency

Vectorworks (nice to have)

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Relevant architecture/design/drafting education

Tools

Vectorworks

General CAD/BIM software

Job description

Are you the right person for our team, and are we the right team for you? Are you interested in seeing your work move from early ideas to a completed home, with designers, estimators, and builders working side by side?

MAK Design + Build is an award-winning residential design + build remodeling company in Davis, California. We are looking for an Assistant Designer to join a collaborative, curious, and accountable team. We value excellent design, practical problem-solving, direct communication, continuous improvement, and a healthy sense of humor.

Our projects range from kitchens and bathrooms to additions, whole-house remodels, and occasional new construction. Because we design what we build, our designers stay connected to the work from early discovery through construction. This feedback loop helps us create solutions that are not only thoughtful and beautiful, but also permit‑ready, price‑aware, durable, and buildable.

The Assistant Designer supports project delivery through accurate drafting, modeling, rendering, meeting preparation, selection support, and organized follow‑through. This is a developmental role for someone who wants to build strong residential design + build judgment while contributing meaningful production work from day one. The right person is dependable, detail‑minded, open to feedback, and comfortable asking questions before uncertainty becomes rework.

Responsibilities

• Complete assigned drafting, modeling, rendering, documentation, and redline tasks accurately and on time.
• Update as‑builts, plans, elevations, schedules, and presentation materials under the direction of a project lead.
• Prepare meeting packets, sample boards, selections, renderings, and other client or project‑support materials.
• Organize project files, vendor information, product data, sample requests, meeting notes, and assigned action items so information stays current and easy to find.
• Maintain MAK drawing standards, file organization, layer and class standards, and naming conventions.
• Support permit and construction‑document production by completing clearly defined scopes cleanly and consistently.
• Participate in client and internal meetings as support, follow through on assigned action items, and communicate status, questions, and risks early.
• Coordinate professionally with Project Designers, Project Managers, Estimating, Consultants, Vendors, and Trade Partners when assigned.
• Build practical knowledge of residential construction, code basics, materials, fixtures, finishes, and MAK's design + build process.

Desired traits + skills

• Dependable, organized, and attentive to details that others may miss.
• Curious and eager to learn, with the humility to ask questions instead of guessing.
• Responsive, prepared, and able to follow through on multiple assigned tasks.
• Clear written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Comfort with feedback, iteration, and the reality that good design also has to be documented and built well.

Qualifications

• Relevant education, training, or early‑career experience in architecture, interior architecture or design, drafting, or a related field.
• Working proficiency in CAD or BIM software and the ability to produce accurate drawings and models. Vectorworks experience is a plus, not a requirement.
• Foundational space‑planning, rendering, graphic‑presentation, and general computer skills.
• Strong organizational habits and the ability to maintain clean files, notes, and task lists.
• Interest in residential remodeling, construction, materials, building science, and learning how design decisions affect the field.
• A portfolio or work samples that demonstrate clear thinking, technical care, and visual communication.

Work schedule

Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• Health insurance
• SIMPLE IRA matching
• Profit sharing
• Mobile phone stipend
• Mileage reimbursement

Location + work arrangement

This is a full‑time, Davis‑based position with the possibility for some flexible remote options. Regular in‑office collaboration and local project‑site visits are required. Our office is located in downtown Davis, California, and our projects are generally within a 45‑minute drive of the office. A valid CA driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

MAK Design + Build is an award-winning residential design + build remodeling company in Davis, California. Our projects range from kitchens and bathrooms to additions, whole‑house remodels, and occasional new construction. Because we design what we build, our designers stay connected to the work from early discovery through construction. This feedback loop helps us create solutions that are not only thoughtful and beautiful, but also permit‑ready, price‑aware, durable, and buildable.