The Modern Vic is seeking a Junior Interior Designer to join its busy and growing San Francisco studio. This is an opportunity for an early-career designer with a strong technical foundation and some hands-on studio experience to contribute across all phases of residential interior design while continuing to develop their skills.
The Junior Designer will support multiple active projects through AutoCAD drafting, sourcing, design presentations, specifications and schedules, site visits, and general project coordination. The role will also work collaboratively with the Operations Coordinator as projects transition from design approval into procurement.
The ideal candidate is eager to learn, highly detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment where priorities can shift. You don't need to know everything coming in, but you should have enough experience to take direction, ask thoughtful questions, and increasingly anticipate what comes next.
As skills and confidence grow, there is meaningful opportunity to take on greater design responsibility and eventually manage smaller projects with support from the team.
This is a full-time, primarily onsite position based in Downtown San Francisco.
ABOUT YOU
You are highly detail-oriented and take the time to review your work for accuracy before considering it complete.
You take initiative and are comfortable looking for solutions before immediately turning to someone else for the answer.
You are accountable. When something goes wrong, you communicate it, take responsibility, and focus on how to move it forward.
You are adaptable and can shift priorities when project needs change without losing track of the bigger picture.
You are organized and able to manage multiple projects, tasks, deadlines, and errands while prioritizing what needs your attention first.
You communicate proactively, keeping the team informed of progress, questions, deadlines, and potential roadblocks.
You have a genuine interest in interior design and are excited to continue learning and developing your technical and creative skills.
You enjoy contributing ideas and having a voice while also taking direction and working collaboratively toward a shared design vision.
You thrive in a small, hands-on team where everyone pitches in and works toward the same goal.
You are positive, resourceful, and solutions-oriented, with the ability to think on your feet.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to:
Support the team across all phases of residential interior design projects, from initial design development through installation
Create and update AutoCAD plans, elevations, furniture plans, and other design documentation using established studio standards
Conduct initial sourcing of furnishings, finishes, fabrics, materials, fixtures, and other design elements based on established project direction
Create and maintain design boards and client presentation materials using Canva and other studio tools
Support the preparation and maintenance of specifications, finish schedules, furniture schedules, and other project documentation
Enter and maintain accurate client selections and project information within Studio Designer
Assist with site measurements, site documentation, and photography as needed
Attend client meetings, job site visits, showroom appointments, and vendor meetings alongside the Principal Designer or Designer
Communicate with vendors, showrooms, workrooms, contractors, and trades to gather product and project information and support the design process
Collaborate with the Operations Coordinator to ensure approved design selections and specifications transition accurately into procurement
Maintain organized digital and physical project files, material libraries, samples, and on-site materials books
Support project installations, photoshoots, product inspections, and other project milestones
Handle project-related errands, including picking up and returning samples and materials and making project-related deliveries
Maintain project tasks and communicate progress using Asana and other studio systems
Contribute to a collaborative studio environment and provide general design and project support as needs evolve
QUALIFICATIONS
1+ years of professional design experience within an interior design studio preferred
Working proficiency in AutoCAD required, including the ability to work from established standards, incorporate redlines, and create first drafts of plans and elevations with direction
SketchUp and/or Enscape experience is highly desirable
Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and InDesign, is a plus
Experience with Studio Designer is a plus, but not required
Strong interest in residential interior design; candidates coming from commercial design or another relevant design environment will be considered
Understanding of the residential design process, sourcing, materials, finishes, specifications, and/or construction is preferred
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
Ability to take direction while working increasingly independently
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt as project needs evolve
Comfortable working in a MacOS and Google Workspace environment
Valid driver's license required; access to a personal vehicle is strongly preferred due to regular local travel for project-related errands, site visits, showrooms, and meetings
This is not a remote position. Candidates must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and be able to commute to our office in San Francisco and project locations throughout the area.
WHAT WE OFFER
$30–$35/hour, commensurate with experience
Full-time, non-exempt position with overtime eligibility
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, including studio closure between Christmas and New Year's
Flexible start and end times within a consistent weekly schedule
Work remotely for up to one week each year—perfect for extending a trip or spending time with family while staying connected
$35 monthly cell phone reimbursement
Work-related parking expenses covered
Discretionary performance-based bonus
Opportunities to attend industry markets, events, and professional development experiences
Studio memberships with industry organizations including ASID and IDS
Stocked espresso bar, tea, snacks, and beverages
Team outings to local design events, art fairs, showcase houses, and other industry events
The studio is conveniently located in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco, steps from BART and Muni Metro and accessible by numerous bus lines.
Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, primarily onsite