Lead Designer: High-End Residential Remodeling

Blue Star; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $85k-$95k

2 weeks PTO

14 paid holidays

50% company-paid health insurance

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Blue Star in Washington, DC is seeking a Lead Designer to drive high-end residential remodeling projects from concept through construction-ready documentation. This onsite, full-time role requires deep knowledge of residential construction, design documentation, space planning, and permit workflows.

The ideal candidate has a strong technical design background and understands how design integrates with production, estimating, permitting, and project execution for upscale homes.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in residential design, architecture, drafting, design-build, remodeling, or custom home construction
• Strong understanding of construction drawings, detailing, specifications, and residential building systems
• Ability to create clear, accurate, and buildable design documents
• Working knowledge of permitting processes, code basics, and residential construction methods
• Experience with field measuring and existing-condition documentation
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with clients, consultants, project managers, superintendents, and trade partners
• Ability to balance design intent with budget, schedule, and construction realities
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and a practical, solutions-focused mindset

Responsibilities

• Develop residential design concepts, layouts, plans, elevations, and detailed construction drawings
• Translate client goals and existing site conditions into practical and buildable design solutions
• Support preconstruction through design development, scope clarification, selections coordination, and documentation
• Prepare permit drawings and design packages for pricing, permitting, client review, and construction
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, vendors, and trade partners
• Assist with site verification, field measurements, and existing-condition documentation
• Help identify constructability issues before projects move into production
• Collaborate directly with project managers, superintendents, and field teams throughout the project lifecycle
• Maintain organized project files, specifications, drawings, and design notes
• Help ensure the final design aligns with budget, schedule, client expectations, and buildability

Skills

Technical design

Communication

Collaboration

Organized / detail-oriented

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Chief Architect

SketchUp

2020 Design

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

JobTread / Buildertrend / CoConstruct

Job description

Blue Star in Washington, DC is seeking a Lead Designer to drive high-end residential remodeling projects from concept through construction-ready documentation. This onsite, full-time role requires deep knowledge of residential construction, design documentation, space planning, and permit workflows.

The ideal candidate has a strong technical design background and understands how design integrates with production, estimating, permitting, and project execution for upscale homes.