Senior Designer

An award-winning design firm and voted OC’s best place to work for consecutive years, we are a creative powerhouse of architects and designers, collaborators, and communicators—experts in the business of transforming open space into elevated, extraordinary human experiences.

We are seeking a local Senior Designer who can work from our Newport Beach office in alignment with our hybrid schedule. The Senior Designer will lead design vision, mentor team members, and drive high-quality workplace and commercial interior projects from concept through completion. This role is ideal for a creative leader who thrives at the intersection of design excellence, collaboration, and client engagement. The Senior Designer will guide project teams, shape design direction, and ensure that creative concepts are executed with clarity, quality, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate is confident presenting ideas, managing complex projects, and inspiring others while delivering thoughtful design solutions that align with client goals and budgets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design vision and creative direction for projects from concept through final delivery.
• Mentor and guide designers, supporting professional growth and fostering a collaborative studio culture.
• Establish overall design concepts, material palettes, and FF&E selections in coordination with project teams.
• Coordinate design efforts across all phases including programming, schematic design, design development, and construction documentation.
• Act as a primary point of contact for design-related client communication while keeping the project team informed.
• Lead client meetings, design presentations, and workshops with clarity and confidence.
• Produce and review space plans, finish palettes, and presentation materials to clearly communicate design intent.
• Oversee the preparation and review of construction documents to ensure design quality and accuracy.
• Perform QA/QC reviews and redline drawings to ensure design intent is accurately captured in final documentation.
• Coordinate closely with consultants, contractors, furniture dealers, and vendors to support project success.
• Assist with programming interviews and the development of formal program documentation and workplace strategies.
• Manage multiple projects or project phases while maintaining design quality, schedules, and budgets.
• Review and approve submittals, shop drawings, and assist with RFIs in collaboration with the project manager.
• Develop furniture budgets, specifications, and bid packages for project implementation.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including interviews and design presentations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field.
• 7–12+ years of professional interior design experience with increasing design leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience leading design on complex or high-profile commercial projects.
• Strong knowledge of space planning, workplace design strategies, and material specification.
• Working knowledge of building codes, ADA requirements, and construction documentation processes.
• Proficiency in Revit, SketchUp, Photoshop, InDesign, Lumion or Enscape, and Bluebeam.
• Experience with AutoCAD and Illustrator is a plus.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate design ideas.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and lead collaborative project teams.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Life at Hendy

Hendy has been consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work and is proud to be an employee-owned company through our ESOP. We are committed to creating a best-in-class work environment where team members enjoy their work, feel invested in the firm’s success, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. We support this through flexible hybrid work opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life, and disability insurance.

As a part of Hendy’s commitment to professional licensing growth, we offer reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals, as well as exam fees. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments for positive long-term continued success.