Technical Interior Design Lead

Technical Interior Design Lead

Luxury Residential Interior Design Studio
Mountain View, CA
Full-Time | In-Office Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

The Opportunity

Spectrum Interior Design is seeking an exceptional Technical Design Lead to spearhead, direct, and elevate the technical design execution of our luxury custom residential estate projects.

This role is both a technical authority and a people leader. You are responsible not only for how design vision is translated into buildable reality, but also for guiding, mentoring, and strengthening the design team that brings that vision to life.

The Technical Design Lead plays a central role in shaping the studio's standards, culture, and executional excellence across architecture, landscape, interior architecture, interior design, and custom fabrication. This is an opportunity to lead with mastery, clarity, and care within a studio that values precision, collaboration, and long-term growth.

The Role

As Technical Design Lead, you serve as the studio's authority on technical design resolution and execution. You direct how ideas become drawings, how drawings become construction, and how the team consistently delivers work of exceptional quality.

You are entrusted with leading the technical design team, setting standards, reviewing work, and ensuring clarity, accuracy, and excellence across all documentation. You bring calm confidence, strong communication, and thoughtful leadership to a fast-paced, detail-driven environment.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys guiding others, teaching by example, and building a high-performing design team grounded in shared standards and mutual respect.

What You'll Lead and Deliver

Full-Spectrum Technical Design Leadership

• Spearhead technical design detailing across complex luxury residential estates from concept through construction
• Direct and oversee technical resolution across architecture, landscape, interior architecture, interior design, and custom fabrication
• Translate creative direction into deeply resolved, buildable solutions across disciplines
• Resolve highly complex and custom conditions with rigor, creativity, and precision
• Ensure technical consistency and clarity across all project documentation

Advanced AutoCAD & Technical Mastery

• Produce and oversee expert-level AutoCAD drawing sets, including plans, sections, elevations, details, and schedules
• Develop intricate construction details for custom millwork, cabinetry, staircases, ceilings, wall systems, stonework, metalwork, and specialty finishes
• Coordinate technical documentation across consultants, builders, and fabricators
• Maintain exceptional organization, accuracy, and control of drawing sets and revisions

Design Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, manage, and mentor designers across varying levels of experience
• Clearly communicate technical direction, expectations, and priorities
• Delegate work thoughtfully, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and accountability
• Review, cross-check, and refine team drawings with a discerning and supportive eye
• Provide constructive feedback that elevates skill, confidence, and consistency
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-standard studio culture
• Play an active role in developing the long-term technical strength of the design team

Construction, Fabrication & Cross-Disciplinary Coordination

• Partner with architects, builders, engineers, landscape teams, and fabricators to resolve technical design matters
• Anticipate construction challenges early and guide the team toward clear, buildable solutions
• Support construction administration through responsive technical leadership
• Participate in site visits, shop drawing reviews, and fabrication coordination
• Ensure execution remains aligned with design intent throughout construction

Standards, Systems & Studio Growth

• Establish, maintain, and continuously refine studio-wide technical standards and detailing conventions
• Develop and maintain a library of technical details, references, and best practices
• Improve workflows and documentation processes to support efficiency and excellence
• Contribute to the long-term growth, maturity, and leadership capacity of the studio
• Serve as a role model for professionalism, clarity, and thoughtful leadership

Who You Are

You are someone who:

• Has deep, hands-on experience executing complex luxury residential estates
• Thinks fluently across architecture, interiors, and custom fabrication
• Has exceptional attention to detail and pride in precision
• Leads with warmth, clarity, and confidence
• Communicates technical concepts clearly and generously
• Enjoys mentoring, teaching, and supporting others
• Thrives on complexity and problem-solving
• Brings solutions, not stress, to challenges
• Is steady, optimistic, and deeply invested in team success
• Cares as much about how work gets done as the final result

Qualifications

• Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in high-end luxury residential design, interior architecture, or architecture
• Expert-level mastery of AutoCAD
• Proven experience leading technical design and documentation for estate-level residential projects
• Demonstrated success managing and mentoring design teams
• Strong understanding of construction methods, sequencing, and fabrication
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Portfolio & Skills Assessment

Applicants must submit a portfolio that clearly demonstrates advanced technical design leadership within luxury residential work. Portfolios should include detailed drawing sets, complex custom details, and examples of executed projects.

Final candidates will be invited to complete:

• An AutoCAD technical detailing assessment
• A design logic and hand-sketching exercise to demonstrate spatial reasoning, clarity of thought, and technical fluency

These exercises reflect the real-world rigor and complexity of the work performed in this role.

Why This Role Is Special

This is a rare opportunity to lead technical design at the highest level within a creative, estate-focused studio. You are trusted with responsibility, supported by leadership, and given the space to do deeply meaningful work while shaping the next generation of design excellence within the firm.

Final Note

If you are energized by mastery, inspired by complexity, and fulfilled by leading others with clarity and care, we would love to hear from you with a personalized cover letter highlighting your skillsets, experience, and how this position resonates with you specifically.

***NOTE: We're not accepting calls or emails for this position at this time. Candidates who do not complete the screening questions will not be considered. Please answer each question thoughtfully and in your own words. We're looking for honest, specific examples that reflect your experience, communication style, and professional mindset. (We kindly ask that you do not use AI tools to generate responses.) Salary compensation will be commensurate to experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100, $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Profit sharing

Application Question(s):

• This is a full-time, salaried role with studio hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Can you confirm that you're comfortable with this schedule, have a manageable commute (under 45 minutes), and understand that remote or hybrid arrangements are not available?
• Do you have reliable transportation and a valid driver's license?
• How many years of professional experience do you have working as an interior designer?
• On a Scale of 1-10, please rank your proficiency on AutoCAD.
• On a Scale of 1-10, please rank your proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite products.
• On a Scale of 1-10, please rank your proficiency using a PC.
• What salary requirements are you seeking? (A range is acceptable)
• What is your availability to begin a new position?

Work Location: In person