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Restaurant Interior Design Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Project Manager I

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$107K/yr

Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more! For you and your family... * Health ... Coordinates work efforts of institutional organizations such as interior design, environmental ...

Restaurant Interior Design information

See Virginia salary details

$14

$25

$40

How much do restaurant interior design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant interior design in Virginia is $25.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.76 and $28.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a restaurant interior designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Interior Designer, you need a strong background in interior design principles, spatial planning, and knowledge of building codes, typically supported by a degree in interior design or architecture. Proficiency with design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with familiarity with lighting, materials, and furniture sourcing, is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills help designers collaborate with clients, contractors, and vendors to bring unique concepts to life. These skills and qualities ensure that restaurant spaces are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, enhancing customer experience and supporting the brand’s identity.

What are some common challenges faced by restaurant interior designers when balancing aesthetics with functional requirements?

Restaurant interior designers often encounter the challenge of creating visually appealing spaces that also meet practical needs such as efficient workflow, durability, and safety. For example, selecting materials that are both stylish and easy to clean, or designing layouts that maximize seating without compromising comfort and accessibility. Collaborating closely with restaurant owners, chefs, and contractors is essential to ensure the final design supports the restaurant’s brand while adhering to building codes and operational requirements. Flexibility and strong problem-solving skills are key to finding creative solutions that address both form and function.

What is the difference between Restaurant Interior Design vs Restaurant Interior Architect?

AspectRestaurant Interior DesignRestaurant Interior Architect
CredentialsDesign degree, portfolio, possibly certification in interior designArchitecture degree, licensing, and certification in architecture
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, client sites, renovation projectsArchitectural firms, construction sites, design consultations
Industry UsageFocuses on aesthetics, layout, and ambianceFocuses on structural integrity, building codes, and spatial planning

While both roles work within the restaurant industry, Restaurant Interior Design primarily emphasizes aesthetics, ambiance, and interior layout, whereas Restaurant Interior Architect involves structural planning, building codes, and architectural integrity. Understanding these differences helps clients choose the right professional for their project needs.

What is restaurant interior design?

Restaurant interior design is the process of planning and creating the visual and functional layout of a restaurant’s interior space. It involves selecting color schemes, furniture, lighting, materials, and décor to create a welcoming atmosphere that enhances the guest dining experience. Good interior design not only reflects the restaurant’s brand and concept but also maximizes comfort and efficiency for both customers and staff. Designers must consider factors like space utilization, acoustics, lighting, and accessibility to ensure the environment is both attractive and practical.
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Interior Design jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Interior Design jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Restaurant Interior Design job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,245 per year, or $25.1 per hour.

$107K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

122nd of 615 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations
Classification: Architect/Engineer 1
Job Category: Classified Staff
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship
Pay Band: 05
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience (Max -$107,000 non-negotiable)
Criminal Background Check: Yes
Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes
Important Eligibility Requirement
Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver's license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.
Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information document ( English / Spanish ) before applying.
About the Department:
George Mason University Facilities ensures a high-quality physical environment that supports the university's mission. We will be the technical and business experts of choice, trusted and confident by our students, faculty, and staff.
About the Position:
About the Position:
Fantastic new opportunity at George Mason University. If you're ready to start a new career, then we are ready to hire you! You'll be a State employee of Virginia, work at our beautiful Fairfax campus with 677 acres of wooded land, and become part of the George Mason University patriot team.
We've got the work. We now need an additional team member to help in our busy environment. We want someone reliable who takes pride in their work and will make a noticeable contribution to the educational facilities at George Mason. Your manager can trust that you will get the job done.
George Mason's Facilities & Campus Operations department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean community experience at the university. So, what's in it for you?
Great benefits for you...
  • Lots of leave, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid two-week winter break ( please note - the break employees often receive during the holiday season is not regularly guaranteed and is subject to annual approval);
  • Free tuition, up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, and professional development. Yes, you can earn a college education while earning a salary;
  • Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
  • Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan; and
  • Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more!

For you and your family...
  • Health/dental/vision benefits; and
  • Tuition dependent benefit (restrictions apply).

Responsibilities:
Management of moderately complex renovation or upgrade/replacement projects, generally under $1m in budget and with a completion time of one year
Capital Planning
  • Works with Capital Planners or Business Units to identify users' capital and non-capital needs, including new programmatic and renewal requirements for buildings and infrastructure; and
  • Develops scope, budget, and schedule for capital projects.

AE Selection & Contract Administration
  • Develops project scope of services as required on assigned projects and coordinates with contracts for solicitation of RFQ or proposal request; issuance of contract or task order;
  • Participates in A/E selection as requested. Maintains a working knowledge of A/E contractual responsibilities (including the requirements outlined in the contract MOU and CPSM), and administers A/E contracts for all assigned projects through design and construction;
  • Promptly addresses A/E performance issues if performance does not meet contractual obligations; and
  • Facilitates A/E dispute resolution.

Programming/Design Phase
  • Manages programming and design of assigned capital projects to ensure that A/E design submittals maximize the users' program goals and are compliant with the project's authorization criteria, Mason's Higher Education Capital Outlay Manual, Campus Master Plan and Design Guidelines and Construction Standards. Ensures that design submittal, review, and approval processes are completed in accordance with the applicable regulatory authority, the HECO Manual, university procedures, and project schedules;
  • Implements recovery actions when activity delays impact the design completion date;
  • Manages the Value Engineering process of assigned projects;
  • Works to resolve conflicting program requirements, design review comments, and budget concerns;
  • Performs design and constructability reviews and leads construction phasing and logistics planning for assigned projects; and
  • Coordinates work efforts of institutional organizations such as interior design, environmental graphic design, information technology, access control, and environmental health, safety, and risk management to ensure that program objectives, institutional design and construction standards, regulatory requirements, the project schedule requirements, and the project budget are achieved.

CM Selection and Bidding
  • Coordinates with Facilities Contracts and A/E to develop requests for CMR proposals or bid solicitations;
  • Participates in CMR or GC selection process as requested;
  • Construction Contract Administration. Provides leadership and works closely with project team to manage construction phase activities of assigned projects;
  • Visits project site(s) regularly to assess progress and quality of work;
  • Identifies design or construction issues that are impacting schedule and works with A/E, contractor, and others to resolve;
  • Promptly addresses CM or GC performance issues if performance does not meet contractual obligations;
  • Administers all construction phase contracts including, but not limited to, construction/CM, construction testing/inspection, independent scheduling, and other consultants. Ensures that programmatic required design changes are issued to the contractor for pricing and implementation in a timely fashion. Works with A/E to identify, negotiate, and recommend approval of construction change orders;
  • Reviews change orders, Schedule of Values, design/construction schedules, monthly project reports, and monthly pay requests; and
  • Facilitates contractor dispute resolution.

Permitting & Inspections
  • Develops a thorough understanding of permitting requirements. Manages permit submission, review, and approval process with BCOM and/or local permitting authorities as required to ensure timely receipt of permit;
  • Manages submission of all required submittals for timely regulatory review by the appropriate agency;
  • Ensures inspections occur at appropriate intervals during construction progress; and
  • Ensures issuance of certificate of occupancy or closing of permit to meet project schedule.

Communication & Management
  • Serves as primary point of contact with academic and business unit representatives for assigned projects throughout the duration of the project;
  • With academic and business unit representatives, develops project objectives, program requirements, schedule requirements, and a project budget;
  • Informs client user(s) of responsibilities at the beginning of the design process;
  • Periodically updates the client on design/construction progress;
  • With support from in-house designers, assists user(s) during design and construction in developing FF&E requirements and understanding the procurement process;
  • Works closely with the user(s) to determine FF&E requests that may require design modifications;
  • Working with the project team, assists user(s) in developing a plan for building move-in and occupancy; and
  • In support of project goals, coordinates with all constituents needed to support the completion of assigned projects, including but not limited to: utility providers, commissioning, inspection services, shop support, outside vendors or consultants, move coordinators, interior designers (for furniture procurement/ installation), coordination of IT, AV, data and voice communications service and installation.

Project Schedules, Budgets, and Records
  • Ensures maintenance of project files in project management software, including timely uploading of documents, completion of templates, and management of project approvals for budget, contracts, and schedules;
  • Leads the preparation of the project schedule and project budget using established templates;
  • Prepares minutes of project meetings or ensures completeness and accuracy of meeting minutes prepared by consultants or contractors. Ensures documentation of all decisions by user groups and stakeholders;
  • Presents updates at project review meetings. Continually monitors project schedules and budgets and notifies the Director if schedule overruns or budget shortfalls are likely to occur;
  • Recommends strategies to mitigate possible budget shortfalls and/or schedule overruns;
  • Periodically reviews project file folders to ensure that the documentation is being filed promptly and in accordance with established office procedures;
  • Manages the closeout of assigned projects; and
  • Other related duties as assigned. Supports the supervisor and project manager in completing other related duties and reports as needed.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in related field;
  • Significant experience with facilities project management in design and/or construction, preferably with large-scale projects for institutional clients such as institutions of higher education;
  • Experience as Project Engineer directing Design and Construction Contracts with demonstrated independent decision-making;
  • Experience in selecting, negotiating, and managing professional services contracts;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of architecture/engineering/construction management and the design and construction process;
  • General knowledge of furniture acquisition/installation; data, power, and telecom coordination; and building commissioning;
  • Ability to coordinate multiple priorities/actions with desired results;
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
  • Ability to read and understand documents, plans, and specifications;
  • Ability to maintain professional relationships with associates, subordinates, contractors, and the University community; and
  • Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver's licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in related field;
  • Experience with Design-Bid-Build required; and
  • Experience with Design-Build and/or Construction Management at Risk delivery methods.

Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Project Manager I at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.
Posting Open Date: July 15, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: July 29, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Ad Statement
George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level, along with certificates and credentials.
George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.
Equity Statement
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
Campus Safety Information
Mason's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/

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