Senior Designer — High-End Residential Build & Docs

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

Benefits offered by this job

2 weeks PTO

14 paid holidays

Health insurance for employees

401(k) with company match

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Blue Star in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Lead Designer to guide high-end residential remodeling and custom home projects from concept through construction-ready documentation. This role goes beyond traditional interior design, requiring strong understanding of construction, space planning, and buildable design solutions.

You will work with owners, project managers, architects, and trades to move projects from concept into construction, producing clear drawings, coordinating permits,

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

Collaboration

Documentation

Detail oriented

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Chief Architect

SketchUp

2020 Design

Google Workspace

CoConstruct/Buildertrend

Job description

Blue Star in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Lead Designer to guide high-end residential remodeling and custom home projects from concept through construction-ready documentation. This role goes beyond traditional interior design, requiring strong understanding of construction, space planning, and buildable design solutions.

You will work with owners, project managers, architects, and trades to move projects from concept into construction, producing clear drawings, coordinating permits,