Intern Interior Design Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Job Title: Interior Designer

Job Description

This role focuses on delivering high-end hospitality interior design projects from concept through construction, with a strong emphasis on technical documentation, project management, and client correspondence. You will develop and execute design solutions, coordinate with internal and external partners, mentor junior designers, and help shape custom restaurant, hospitality, and residential environments. The position offers the opportunity to work across multiple project phases in a lively, collaborative studio environment.

Responsibilities

• Execute project deliverables within the hours and schedule established by the Project Manager, ensuring work is completed accurately and on time.
• Develop multiple design iterations and options aligned with the design direction established by the Senior Designer for review and refinement.
• Communicate design ideas clearly through hand sketches, plans, elevations, details, 3D models, renderings, mood boards, and presentation materials.
• Translate conceptual design into coordinated documentation from Schematic Design through Construction Administration using CAD, SketchUp, Enscape, Bluebeam, and other project tools.
• Coordinate finish plans, material selections, specifications, schedules, and supporting product information for hospitality and restaurant projects.
• Apply working knowledge of spatial and programmatic requirements, construction standards, detailing, product performance, installation methods, accessibility, and applicable code requirements.
• Coordinate with architects, consultants, vendors, and fabricators to integrate project information, resolve conflicts, and maintain alignment with design intent.
• Develop and coordinate custom furniture, millwork, fixtures, and architectural details in alignment with the approved design direction.
• Review and redline drawings, renderings, models, prototypes, and consultant documentation produced internally or externally to ensure accuracy and adherence to design intent.
• Manage shop drawing reviews, submittals, RFIs, design clarifications, and other Construction Administration documentation in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Participate in site visits, field observations, punch walks, and installation reviews to verify design implementation and quality.
• Independently manage assigned project tasks, deadlines, priorities, open items, and deliverables under the direction of the Project Manager.
• Coordinate workload across multiple projects and communicate proactively regarding missing information, schedule concerns, scope impacts, or resource needs.
• Track and document project decisions, design changes, revisions, and open items for integration into project deliverables.
• Delegate appropriate tasks to junior team members and provide clear information and direction to support timely, coordinated deliverables.
• Review the work of Designer I, Technical Designer I, Design Assistants, and Interns as assigned, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Train and mentor junior team members in design development, documentation, project coordination, and studio standards.
• Provide clear redlines, direction, and constructive feedback to improve the quality and accuracy of project work.
• Coordinate junior staff and intern assignments with Project Managers based on project needs and schedules.
• Support project leadership by communicating with clients, consultants, vendors, and project partners to distribute deliverables, obtain information, and maintain project coordination.
• Maintain project trackers, files, and folders in accordance with studio standards to ensure organized and accessible documentation.
• Maintain timely and professional communication through meetings, email, markups, and internal coordination.
• Demonstrate accountability, organization, sound judgment, and consistent follow-through on assigned responsibilities.
• Actively seek feedback and demonstrate a willingness to listen and learn from all members of the team.
• Research and follow industry developments, materials, technology, construction practices, and design best practices to inform project work.
• Continue to develop both creative design capabilities and technical documentation skills, with a particular focus on technical documentation support, project management, and client correspondence.
• Contribute to custom hospitality and retail projects, including custom restaurant environments, with student housing experience considered a plus.
• Support projects in expanding markets, including hospitality, hotel, and residential sectors, as the studio grows into new markets.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture.
• 6–10 years of relevant experience in a high-end hospitality interiors firm.
• Proven experience supporting design projects from start to finish, including concept, design development, documentation, and construction administration.
• Experience with project management, with at least 80% of projects previously run independently.
• Experience mentoring junior designers and supporting their professional development.
• Strong interior design experience specifically within hospitality and custom restaurant projects, ideally with at least two custom restaurant projects completed.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for technical drawings, documentation, and coordination.
• Proficiency in SketchUp for 3D modeling and design visualization.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite for presentations, mood boards, and visual communication.
• Demonstrated ability in design development, schematic design, and detailed technical drawing production.
• Experience with FF&E selection, specification, and coordination for hospitality projects.
• Competence in space planning for hospitality, restaurant, and related environments.
• Experience in millwork design and coordination, including custom furniture and built-in details.
• Strong skills in project management and project coordination, including communication with clients and consultants.
• Ability to create and review renderings and presentation materials that clearly communicate design intent.
• Working knowledge of construction standards, detailing, product performance, installation methods, accessibility, and applicable code requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while maintaining high-quality deliverables.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for client correspondence and internal collaboration.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with high-end custom hospitality and retail projects, including restaurant design.
• Experience with student housing projects is a plus.
• Familiarity with Enscape and Bluebeam for visualization, coordination, and markups.
• Experience working in studios where creative and technical responsibilities are integrated across multiple project phases.
• Background in custom furniture, millwork, fixtures, and architectural detailing.
• Experience working with outsourced drawing production teams and coordinating their deliverables.
• Interest in or experience with hotel and residential projects, particularly in resort or mountain environments.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and guide junior team members and interns.
• Strong organizational skills for maintaining project trackers, files, and documentation according to studio standards.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, including staying current with materials, technology, construction practices, and design best practices.

Work Environment

The role is based in a beautiful, lively office on the outskirts of the West Loop, featuring an open office concept where clients and vendors frequently visit for in-person meetings. The studio is dog-friendly and fosters a collaborative, social atmosphere, including regular outings and team meetings at a brewery located across the street. The team also enjoys an annual weekend retreat in the summer focused on team bonding. The standard schedule runs Monday through Thursday in the office with Friday as a work-from-home day. Start times are flexible between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., with additional flexibility offered for those commuting from the suburbs. The typical workload averages 42–45 hours per week, with additional time expected during project deadlines. The studio is transitioning from separate creative and technical teams to a model that values well-rounded designers who contribute across multiple phases of a project. Designers collaborate with both creative and technical colleagues, with FF&E specifications traditionally owned by the creative team and millwork, furniture detailing, and built-in drawings managed by the technical team, while drawing sets may be supported by an overseas partner. The environment emphasizes high-end custom restaurant and hospitality work, with expansion into hotel and residential markets. The position offers a competitive time-off structure, including 10 days of PTO in the first year (increasing with tenure), approximately 10.5 days of holiday pay, and office closures between Christmas and New Year’s as well as major holidays and a birthday half-day.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $36.06 - $40.86/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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