Junior Residential Designer — Architecture & Interiors

Junior Residential Designer — Architecture & InteriorsDeborah Vieira Design | Redwood City, CaliforniaHybrid | Part-time with potential for full-time growth$30–$38/hour, depending on skills and experience, plus annual performance incentivesAbout Deborah Vieira Design

Deborah Vieira Design is a small, long-established residential design firm based in Redwood City, with more than 13 years of experience creating thoughtful, personal homes. Our projects range from light interior refreshes and furnishings to kitchen and bathroom renovations, whole-home transformations, second-story additions, and new homes.

Our clients come first. We approach their homes with the care, concern, and love we would give our own—listening closely, respecting their budgets, and considering how they live today and how their needs may evolve. We value beautiful, practical design, honest communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and dependable follow-through. Collaboration and trust—with clients, contractors, engineers, artisans, and vendors—are central to our work.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a technically strong, organized emerging designer who aspires to build a long-term career in residential design. You will work directly with the principal designer, contributing to architectural and interior projects from early concepts through drawings, selections, procurement, and implementation.

The position begins part-time, with the potential to grow into full-time employment according to your demonstrated contributions and availability. You will have opportunities to take on increasing responsibility and help shape the firm's future, with no fixed ceiling on your professional growth.

Our ideal candidate is a junior, senior, graduate student, or recent graduate studying architecture, interior architecture, or interior design, with relevant work experience and a strong portfolio. Candidates with equivalent training and demonstrated skills are also welcome.

What You'll Do

• Develop accurate, well-organized SketchUp Pro models for residential architectural and interior design projects.
• Prepare scaled, dimensioned drawings using SketchUp LayOut, including floor plans, elevations, sections, cabinetry details, and furniture layouts.
• Revise models and drawings based on design direction, field measurements, and project feedback.
• Support residential space planning, design development, finish selections, and client presentations.
• Source furnishings, fixtures, lighting, finishes, and materials with attention to design intent, dimensions, budget, availability, and lead times.
• Manage sourcing and procurement workflows under the principal's direction: obtain quotes, prepare specifications and purchase-order information, track orders, communicate with vendors, and coordinate deliveries, receivers, returns, and claims.
• Maintain organized project records, selection schedules, budgets, samples, and task lists.
• Participate in local site visits, measurements, showroom visits, and project coordination as needed.

Required Skills & Experience

• Expert SketchUp Pro skills, demonstrated through accurate models and relevant portfolio work.
• Strong SketchUp LayOut proficiency for coordinated, scaled, dimensioned drawing sheets.
• A working understanding of residential space planning, architectural drawings, construction terminology, and interior detailing.
• Relevant internship, employment, or substantial hands-on project experience.
• A portfolio demonstrating both design thinking and technical execution, with your individual contributions clearly identified.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, and dependable follow-through.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication.
• The ability to work independently, ask thoughtful questions, receive feedback, and take ownership of assignments.
• A genuine interest in residential design and growing with a small firm over the long term.

Especially Helpful

• Chief Architect proficiency.
• Experience with residential renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry, or permit documentation.
• Experience with sourcing, vendor communication, purchasing, and procurement tracking.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets and design or project-management platforms.

Our Culture & Your Fit

DVD offers a calm, positive, creative working environment grounded in care for our clients and respect for one another. We value a personable, steady presence; excellent listening and empathy; thoughtful communication; and the ability to approach challenges with patience and resourcefulness.

We expect excellence in our work and, above all, an attitude of ongoing personal and professional growth. The right person welcomes feedback, takes initiative, learns from mistakes, and continually seeks to improve their skills, judgment, and contributions.

Schedule & Work Arrangement

Hours will begin at approximately 8 per week, increasing toward 20 hours per week as training progresses and you demonstrate capability, independence, and strong performance.

The position is hybrid with onsite work in Redwood City 1–2 times per week and remaining work performed remotely. Flexibility is needed for local project site visits, measurements, and occasional showroom or vendor appointments. We will coordinate a regular schedule around academic commitments, with agreed weekday availability for collaboration and project needs.

Compensation & Growth

Compensation includes $30–$38/hour, depending on demonstrated skills and relevant experience, plus an annual anniversary incentive through a bonus and/or profit-sharing structure. Incentive awards will reflect individual contributions and firm performance.

This is intended as a long-term hire. You will receive direct mentorship from the principal designer, meaningful responsibility, and broad exposure to residential design and the operation of a small firm. Opportunities for increasing responsibility and career growth will develop with your contributions and the firm's needs.

How to Apply

Please submit through this job board:

• Your résumé.
• A portfolio PDF or link, including SketchUp models and dimensioned drawing samples.
• A brief introduction describing your interest in residential design and working with a small firm.
• Your current program or degree status, expected graduation date if applicable, weekly availability, and earliest start date.
• A summary of your SketchUp Pro, LayOut, Chief Architect, and sourcing/procurement experience.

Interview Process

Selected candidates will complete a short architectural/interior design challenge during the interview. The exercise will assess spatial problem-solving, SketchUp proficiency, drawing accuracy, organization, and your ability to explain design decisions.

Deborah Vieira Design welcomes qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.