Remodel Project Designer & Design Lead

MAK Design + Build; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; 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 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. The Project Designer is the accountable design lead for standard remodeling projects throughout the entire design phase.

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 (Vectorworks highly preferred).
• Strong knowledge of residential construction assemblies, detailing, constructability, and code/permit 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.

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.

Skills

Residential design

Project leadership

BIM Vectorworks

Rendering

Tools

Vectorworks

Job description

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. The Project Designer is the accountable design lead for standard remodeling projects throughout the entire design phase.