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.