Find & Apply For Civil / Architectural Designer / Drafter Jobs in Clayton, North Carolina

Residential Designer Closer Look Clayton, NC | Full-Time | $65,000-$75,000 + Incentive/Bonus The Role Closer Look is a licensed general contractor where design isn't handed off to a separate firm and hoped for the best — it's built in-house, alongside the people who actually construct what you draw. We're looking for a Residential Designer who can walk into a dated or awkward floor plan, see what it could be, and turn that vision into drawings our field team can build from without guesswork. This is a client-facing role from first meeting to final walkthrough — not a behind-the-scenes drafting seat. What You'll Actually Do Client discovery — meet with homeowners and turn vague wish lists into a clear, prioritized scope; client discovery is design work, not just note-taking Floor plan redesign — rework existing layouts, including which walls come out to open up a space Addition design — design layout, flow, and room relationships for home additions Materials & finish specification — select finishes and build spec sheets the field team can build directly from Lighting design — develop lighting plans and reflected ceiling plans Client presentations — present concepts persuasively, and flag cost implications up front, before they become change-order surprises Ongoing communication — stay in the loop with clients through the whole project, not just the concept phase Who Does Well Here You see possibilities others miss. You don't default to the obvious layout or the safe finish palette. You explore options that make a space feel designed for the people who live in it, and you can explain why each idea works. You offer ideas before you're asked for them. If a layout could work better, you say so — you don't wait to be prompted. You design with the client's eyes, not just your own. Their frustrations and their vision drive the plan, even when it's not where you would have started. You keep sharpening your craft. Codes, materials, techniques, software — you treat "good enough" as a starting point, not a finish line. You collaborate instead of designing in a vacuum. Estimating, construction, and trades all touch what you draw — you work with them, not around them. You have the tenacity to stay with a project when it gets hard. Remodels throw curveballs; you stay committed to the client's vision until the result actually earns their excitement. You lead with benevolence. That means listening well and doing right by the client, even when it's the harder path. What You Need 4+ years of residential design experience with direct responsibility for space planning and floor plan work Degree in Design, Architecture, or related field — or equivalent hands-on experience Proficiency in Chief Architect required Skilled in space planning and floor plan development, concept through construction-ready drawings A strong creative eye, with the ability to generate multiple distinct design options for the same space Professional and confident presenting to high-end clients making a serious investment Strong communication skills — you're client-facing throughout, not just at kickoff Working knowledge of construction basics: framing, codes, and how design decisions hit budget and schedule Portfolio required — we want to see floor plans, elevations, and renderings of what you've redesigned, along with the range of your design thinking Why Closer Look We're a small, close-knit team where design, estimating, and construction happen under one roof. You'll work directly with the people building what you design — on high-end remodels from first sketch to final walkthrough — inside a team that means it when we say collaboration, tenacity, and benevolence.

Pay:

$65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): How much experience do you have using Chief Architect design software?

Education:

Associate (Required)

Experience:

Residential Design:

4 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person