Design Assistant Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

WOOD + WATER

Kitchen & Bath Design Assistant

$30,000-$45,000

Reports to Senior Designer / Owner

About Wood + Water

Wood + Water is a kitchen and bath design studio specializing in cabinetry, countertops, fixtures, appliances, and thoughtful remodeling support. We help clients create functional, beautiful spaces through strong design, quality materials, and a detail-focused process. We are a small, fast-moving team that values accuracy, clear communication, accountability, creativity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Kitchen & Bath Design Assistant to support the design of custom kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry, and built-in spaces. This is an entry-level or early-career position for someone who wants to build a long-term career in kitchen and bath design, cabinetry, residential remodeling, or interior design.

Working under the guidance of the owner and senior designer, this person will assist with client meetings, site visits, drawings and renderings, product selections, project documentation, showroom organization, and the transition from design into ordering and project management. Responsibilities will grow as the employee demonstrates accuracy, technical knowledge, strong communication, and dependable follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the senior designer with kitchen, bathroom, cabinetry, and built-in projects from initial client intake through design development, selections, approvals, ordering handoff, and installation support.
• Create and revise cabinetry layouts, floor plans, elevations, renderings, presentations, and other design documents using 2020 Design or related software under the direction of a senior designer.
• Enter and organize field measurements, appliance specifications, product information, and project details; confirm accuracy with a senior team member before drawings or orders are finalized.
• Prepare client-meeting materials, finish boards, samples, specification sheets, proposals, selection documents, and presentation materials.
• Participate in client meetings and jobsite visits to take notes, photograph existing conditions, assist with measurements, and document project requirements.
• Track design revisions, client decisions, approvals, outstanding questions, and follow-up items so projects continue moving forward.
• Maintain accurate and organized digital and physical project files, including drawings, selections, specifications, notes, approvals, and client communications.
• Provide routine client, vendor, and internal-team follow-up as assigned while maintaining clear, professional, and timely communication.
• Coordinate closely with project managers, installers, builders, contractors, vendors, and other Wood + Water team members.
• Help identify potential design, measurement, appliance, product, or installation conflicts and promptly escalate concerns to the senior designer or project manager.
• Assist with product research, pricing requests, cabinet-order preparation, and vendor quotes; final pricing, designs, and orders will be reviewed and approved by a senior team member.
• Maintain an organized, professional, and up-to-date showroom, resource library, finish displays, and sample inventory.
• Receive, unpack, label, organize, and return samples, hardware, and project materials as needed.
• Pick up and transport samples, hardware, small cabinet components, and other project materials between the showroom, vendors, storage locations, and jobsites as needed.
• Support continuous improvement of design templates, checklists, presentation standards, and internal processes.
• Represent Wood + Water professionally and maintain a positive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Zero to two years of experience in kitchen and bath design, cabinetry, interior design, residential remodeling, architecture, drafting, customer service, or a related field is preferred; recent graduates and career changers are encouraged to apply.
• An associate's or bachelor's degree in interior design, architecture, drafting, construction, or a related field is preferred but not required. Candidates currently pursuing a related degree may also be considered.
• Basic proficiency with 2020 Design is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate drawings, renderings, selections, and project documentation.
• Basic understanding of kitchen and bath space planning, cabinetry, construction, building materials, or residential design principles, or a strong willingness to learn.
• Ability to read and understand floor plans, elevations, measurements, appliance specifications, and product documentation, or the aptitude to learn these skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and customer-service skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow detailed processes.
• Ability to work collaboratively, accept feedback, ask questions, and escalate concerns when appropriate.
• Self-motivated, dependable, professional, and comfortable working in a fast-moving, client-focused environment.
• Valid driver license, reliable transportation, and ability to attend jobsite visits throughout the Raleigh area as needed.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, load, and unload items weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• A portfolio or examples of design, drafting, rendering, school, or related creative work are preferred but not required.

Pay and Benefits

$30,000 to $45,000 per year, based on relevant experience, education, software skills, portfolio quality, and qualifications.

Full-time, on-site position with a Monday-through-Friday schedule, client meetings, jobsite visits, and occasional schedule flexibility based on project needs.

Opportunity to gain hands-on experience with high-quality cabinetry, kitchen, bath, and remodeling projects within a growing design studio.

Structured onboarding and hands-on training in Wood + Water design standards, cabinetry products, 2020 Design workflows, field documentation, product selections, and project coordination.

Progressive responsibility based on demonstrated accuracy, creativity, technical knowledge, communication, and reliability.

A formal performance review after approximately six months, including consideration of compensation adjustments based on performance and increased responsibility.

Opportunity to advance into a Junior Kitchen & Bath Designer and, eventually, an independent Kitchen & Bath Designer role as skills and experience develop.

Benefits and any additional compensation details will be discussed during the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Wood + Water is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.