Junior Interior Designer (0-3 years of experience)

Archinect; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Annual bonus and incentives

Support for professional licensure and

LEED certification

Job summary

Sutro Architects in San Francisco is seeking a thoughtful Junior Interior Designer to join our studio, splitting time between interior design and architectural support.

You will work with our interiors lead, own interior design deliverables and procurement, while contributing to project teams across residential and select commercial work.

The role values curiosity, collaboration, and growth, with a flexible hybrid schedule and opportunities to mentor and be mentored.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, interior architecture, and/or interior design from an accredited program.
• 0-3 years of practical experience in an architecture or interior design office.
• Experience or strong interest in residential interior design and architecture projects.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite required; Sketchup experience preferred.
• Candidates must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues, clients, and consultants to develop elegant, sustainable design solutions.
• Contribute to overall design concepts in coordination with senior staff and the principal, translating client goals into cohesive design directions.
• Prepare 3D models, renderings, and presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent.
• Participate in all project phases, from schematic design through construction documents and construction administration.
• Convert as-built drawings and models to in-house standards and assist with reviewing shop drawings and other submittals.
• Conduct design and FF&E research — fabrics, stone, tile, and finishes — referencing precedents and aesthetic direction for each project.
• Source and build relationships with showrooms and vendors, and manage the FF&E procurement process end-to-end.
• Coordinate sample pickups, shipping, and the interiors department’s sample library and assets.
• Prepare presentation graphics and design packets for interior design meetings and client reviews.
• Provide drafting and coordination support for architects and project managers on interior architectural finishes.
• Coordinate renderings with third-party rendering vendors.
• Represent Sutro Architects professionally in client- and vendor-facing settings.

Skills

Design-focused

Organizational skills

Procurement mindset

Technical capability

Aesthetic judgment

Professional presence

Ownership mindset

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in architecture/interior architecture/interior design

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

Job description

Sutro Architects is an award-winning, design-driven firm specializing in high-end residential and select commercial projects. We’re looking for a thoughtful, motivated Junior Interior Designer to join our San Francisco studio — splitting time between interior design/interior architecture and architectural design support — and to contribute to a collaborative team that values creativity, curiosity, and kindness.

At Sutro, you’ll have the opportunity to work on beautiful, diverse projects across a range of styles and contexts. You’ll work closely with our interiors lead, taking ownership of interior design deliverables and procurement while also supporting our architectural project teams — and growing as a designer and leader along the way.

Our culture is supportive, collegial, and grounded in respect. Everyone in our studio has a voice in the design process, opportunities to mentor and be mentored, and exposure to every aspect of a project from concept through construction.

We operate on a flexible, hybrid schedule that blends in-office collaboration with remote work.

Job Description and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues, clients, and consultants to develop elegant, sustainable design solutions.
• Contribute to overall design concepts in coordination with senior staff and the principal, translating client goals into cohesive design directions.
• Prepare 3D models, renderings, and presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent.
• Participate in all project phases, from schematic design through construction documents and construction administration.
• Convert as-built drawings and models to in-house standards and assist with reviewing shop drawings and other submittals.
• Conduct design and FF&E research — fabrics, stone, tile, and finishes — referencing relevant precedents, locations, and aesthetic direction for each project.
• Source and build relationships with showrooms and vendors, and manage the FF&E procurement process end-to-end — including vendor correspondence, quote review, purchasing, and delivery.
• Coordinate sample pickups, shipping, and the interiors department’s sample library and physical assets.
• Prepare presentation graphics and design packets for interior design meetings and client reviews.
• Provide drafting and coordination support for architects and project managers on interior architectural finishes.
• Coordinate renderings with third-party rendering vendors.
• Represent Sutro Architects professionally in client- and vendor-facing settings from day one.

Qualifications & Requirements

Designer first. Highly organized operator second. Procurement-minded. Technically capable. A strong eye for style. Polished and professional. Takes ownership.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, interior architecture, and/or interior design from an accredited program.
• 0-3 years of practical experience in an architecture or interior design office.
• Experience or strong interest in residential interior design and architecture projects.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphic communication skills.
• Construction administration experience and familiarity with local and regional building codes a plus.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite required; Sketchup experience preferred.
• A strong eye for interior design — materials, finishes, and FF&E — with the design judgment to translate architectural understanding into spaces that also look and feel right, not just meet code.
• Comfort with numbers: able to read and manage quotes, proposals, and line-item procurement math accurately.
• Ability to shift focus across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment without losing momentum.
• A professional, polished presence — this role is client- and vendor-facing from day one and represents Sutro Architects directly.
• Reliable transportation to travel independently between the studio, showrooms, and vendors throughout the Bay Area (mileage reimbursed per company policy).

• Candidates must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Successful candidates are strong team players who can take initiative and contribute across both interior design and architectural project phases—from concept through construction administration.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary range for this position is $75,000–$95,000, depending on qualifications, experience, and the level of responsibility assigned. This is a full-time position with a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Annual bonus and other compensation incentives
• Support for professional licensure and LEED® certification

In accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. Sutro Architects is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

To see examples of our work, please visit www.sutroarchitects.com.