In Office, Project Designer

Mak Design & Build; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; 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 a Project Designer to lead the design phase of remodeling projects from discovery through construction. You will manage the client relationship, coordinate with consultants, and produce permit-ready drawings that balance aesthetics, code, and budget.

The role demands strong BIM skills, experience with Vectorworks, and the ability to guide design decisions while partnering with estimators and builders on site.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of residential design experience, preferably remodeling or additions.
• Proficiency in BIM software with space-planning, modeling and documentation skills; Vectorworks preferred.
• Strong knowledge of residential construction assemblies, detailing, code, and permitting requirements.
• Experience leading clients, coordinating consultants, and keeping design decisions aligned with schedule and budget.

Responsibilities

• Own the design-phase client relationship and manage goals, scope, budget, schedule, decisions, and next steps.
• Lead client consultation, site assessment, programming, concept development and presentations.
• Frame options and trade-offs clearly for timely, informed client decisions.
• Produce complete permit and construction drawing sets integrating design intent and code.
• Coordinate estimating, consultants, vendors, and trade partners; identify budget risks early.
• Lead design-to-production handoff and support Build team during construction.

Skills

Client leadership

Project planning

Communication

Design presentation

Education

5+ years residential design experience

Tools

Vectorworks

BIM modeling

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 concept to completion, 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 a Project 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 Project Designer is the accountable design lead for standard remodeling projects throughout the entire design phase. This role owns the design-phase client relationship; leads programming, concept development, documentation, selections, consultant coordination, permitting strategy, and design schedules; and delivers a complete handoff to estimating and production. The right person can balance imagination with constructability, code, procurement, and budget without losing sight of what the client is trying to solve.

Responsibilities

• Own the design-phase client relationship and maintain clarity around project goals, scope, budget, schedule, decisions, and next steps.
• Lead client consultation, site assessment, programming, concept development, design development, and presentation meetings with confidence and empathy.
• Frame options and trade-offs clearly so clients can make timely, informed decisions without late-stage surprises.
• Produce or direct complete permit and construction drawing sets that integrate design intent, constructability, structural coordination, building systems, and jurisdiction requirements.
• Guide fixture, finish, and specification decisions so aesthetics, durability, cost, availability, and lead times remain aligned.
• Coordinate estimating, production, consultants, vendors, and trade partners; identify budget risk and value-engineering opportunities early.
• Build and maintain the design-phase schedule, decisions, and project record so unclear or late decisions do not block downstream teams.
• Lead the design-to-production handoff, communicate outstanding items and client-management details, and support the Build team during construction as needed.
• Direct and supervise project support appropriately while remaining accountable for the final design-phase outcome.

Desired traits + skills

• A confident, nurturing client leader who asks good questions before offering solutions.
• Strong self-management, project-planning, and organizational skills across multiple active projects.
• Excellent verbal, written, visual, and meeting-facilitation skills.
• Sound judgment under pressure and a habit of surfacing risks early rather than improvising past uncertainty.
• A collaborative, low-drama approach with high standards for accountability, quality, and follow-through.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of residential design experience, preferably involving remodeling, additions, or custom homes.
• Proficiency in BIM software with demonstrated space-planning, modeling, and documentation skills. MAK uses Vectorworks; equivalent expertise and the ability to learn quickly are welcome.
• Strong knowledge of residential construction assemblies, detailing, constructability, and common code and permitting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to produce coordinated permit and construction documents and clear project specifications.
• Experience leading clients, coordinating consultants, and keeping design decisions aligned with schedule and budget parameters.
• Strong rendering, graphic presentation, and general computer skills.

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.