Senior Interior Designer / Space Planner - Arlington, VA

Why This Role Matters
This is not a decorative design role. We are seeking a seasoned, practical, and mission-focused Senior Interior Designer / Space Planner to support the Army National Guard Facility Management Office in a hands-on, high-impact capacity.
Operating out of a highly active, project-driven government facility that manages roughly 36 active projects concurrently each month—ranging from equipment upgrades to full-scale directorate reconfigurations—you will be the technical architect behind the physical footprint of our mission readiness. If you have elite AutoCAD skills, deep expertise in high-volume systems furniture, and a talent for translating shifting operational needs into strategic, code-compliant spatial layouts, your skills are needed here.

What You'll Do (The Impact You'll Make)

Technical Space Planning & AutoCAD Architecture

• Draft the Blueprint: Develop, revise, and maintain highly detailed interior space plans, furniture layouts, demolition/renovation concepts, and design intent hardline drawings using AutoCAD.
• Conduct Field Surveys: Lead physical site walks, field measurements, and space assessments to evaluate existing layouts, workflows, equipment placement, and future organizational footprint requirements.
• Reconfigure for the Mission: Direct the physical transformation of office suites, workstations, conference rooms, storage rooms, secure spaces (including SIPR renovation layouts), and communal break areas.

Project Procurement & Vendor Coordination

• Shape Project Scope: Assist in drafting and reviewing critical project documentation, including Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), finish schedules, and comprehensive furniture specifications.
• Manage Commercial Vendors: Review third-party proposal packages, dealer quotes, technical drawings, material lead times, and factory installation schedules (collaborating with dealers like Price Modern).
• Oversee Installation: Coordinate directly with furniture installers, construction contractors, engineers, and facility staff to manage layouts, verify installation quality, resolve punch lists, and drive projects to absolute closeout.

Systems Management & Data Integrity

• Digital Upkeep: Maintain, update, and track live project lists, progress notes, and floorplan changes across localized facility management database systems (such as FM Interact).
• Financial Modeling Support: Assist with localized project budgeting, tracking historical costs, and generating rough order of magnitude (ROM) expense estimates.
• Uphold Structural Standards: Safeguard facility-wide consistency by reinforcing workplace accommodation layouts, signage protocols, continuity documentation, and structural safety/building codes.

Who You Are

• A Technical Strategist: You understand building systems, interior construction, finishes, materials, and life-safety codes. You view design through the lens of operational practicality and user safety.
• Systems Furniture Savvy: You have comprehensive experience managing workstation reconfigurations, demountable wall systems, furniture inventories, and the complex logistical details of large-scale asset reuse.
• A High-Urgency Multitasker: You remain calm under pressure and are fully comfortable juggling multiple active projects and shifting client requirements simultaneously in a fast-moving environment.
• A Mission-First Team Player: You possess a collaborative, "no job is too small" attitude. You are willing to step outside a rigid job title to ask good questions, support fellow facilities engineers, and help teammates solve complex logistical issues.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture, Facilities Planning, Space Planning, or a closely related field (Equivalent specialized experience may be considered with program leadership approval).
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in technical interior design, commercial space planning, corporate facilities planning, or systems furniture management.
• Advanced, hands-on AutoCAD proficiency with a proven track record of developing complex 2-D floor plans, finish schedules, and construction design intent documents.
• Deep knowledge of systems furniture specification, workstation layout manipulation, demountable walls, and vendor installation workflows.
• Strong written, oral, and graphic communication skills with the ability to clearly pitch layout options and project updates to technical engineers and non-technical stakeholders alike.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (specifically Word and Excel).

Preferred:

• Direct experience supporting DoD, federal, or state government facility environments.
• Proven background managing active reconfigurations and renovations within occupied buildings without disrupting ongoing, sensitive mission operations.
• Familiarity with CAP 20/20 or similar advanced furniture specification software.
• Practical experience maintaining as-built records and utilizing facility management tools like FM Interact.
• Prior experience supporting secure environments or controlled-access facilities requiring active background clearances.