Design Assistant / Trainee Technical Designer

Hours: Full-time, but will consider part-time hours for the right candidate. 
Location: Harlow office
Role type: Temporary / temp-to-perm opportunity after 14 weeks as a temp role
Salary: £27,000 – £30,000 per annum equivalent, depending on experience (paid as an equivalent hourly rate for the first 14 weeks whilst a temp role)

About our client

Our client is a UK designer, manufacturer and installer of glazed partitioning and door systems for the commercial interiors market.

They work with leading contractors, architects and design teams on high-quality office fit-out projects across London and the South East. Their work includes glazed partitions, glass doors, sliding doors, fire-rated glazing, manifestation, ironmongery and associated technical detailing.

They are looking for a Design Assistant / Trainee Technical Designer to support their Pre-Construction and Design team with day-to-day design duties, project information management, drawing production and technical administration.

This would suit a graduate or junior candidate with an interior design, architecture, architectural technology, construction, product design or technical design background who already has a good working knowledge of AutoCAD and is keen to develop within the commercial interiors / specialist construction sector.

Role overview

The successful candidate will assist with the design and coordination of their glazed partitioning and door packages from early project information through to approval drawings, technical submissions, samples and project handover information.

The role will involve a mix of AutoCAD drawing work, document control, technical administration and coordination with their internal team, factory and external draughtsmen.

This is a hands-on role within a growing specialist contractor and would be ideal for someone organised, technically minded and keen to learn how specialist construction packages are designed, coordinated and delivered.

Key responsibilities

•  Review project information issued via document control platforms and identify information relevant to their scope.
• Download, organise and file relevant drawings, specifications, schedules, RFIs, addendums and client information.
• Assist with preparing approval drawings for glazed partitions, doors and associated works using their templates, standard details and previous project examples.
• Adjust and update AutoCAD drawings following client, architect or contractor comments.
• Assist with drawing mark-ups, drawing revisions, elevation updates, plan updates and general drawing coordination.
• Liaise with their external draughtsman on more complex design packages and help coordinate information required for drawing production.
• Assist with technical submittals for project-specific items such as door handles, ironmongery, access control interfaces, finishes, glass types and associated components.
• Arrange project samples with the factory and internal team.
• Complete sample request forms and ensure samples are labelled and issued with the correct supporting information.
• Help maintain organised project design folders, drawing registers, sample logs and technical submission records.
• Support the Pre-Construction and Design Director with general day-to-day design administration and coordination tasks.
• Assist with reviewing architect drawings, door schedules and project specifications to help identify design information relevant to their package.
• Communicate with internal teams including estimating, projects, production and commercial where design information is needed.

Skills and experience

Essential:

•  Good working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Ability to read and understand basic construction drawings, including plans, elevations and details.
• Good attention to detail and ability to keep information organised.
• Confident using Microsoft Office, PDF software and general file management systems.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple small tasks across several live projects.
• Proactive attitude and confidence to ask questions when information is unclear.
• Willingness to learn technical product details and specialist construction terminology.

Beneficial:

•  Degree, diploma or relevant qualification in interior design, architecture, architectural technology, construction, product design or similar.
•  Experience using document control platforms
• Previous work placement, internship or experience within an architectural practice, interior design studio, contractor, subcontractor or manufacturer.
• Experience preparing sample boards, sample forms or technical submissions.
• Understanding of glazed partitions, doors, finishes, ironmongery or commercial fit-out.
• Revit / BIM experience would be useful but is not essential. Training can be provided later if required.

What they are looking for

They are not expecting the candidate to arrive as a fully experienced specialist designer.

The right person will be organised, switched-on, reliable and keen to learn. You will need to be comfortable working through project information, understanding what is relevant, updating AutoCAD drawings, and supporting the design team with the coordination tasks needed to keep projects moving.

You must already be confident enough in AutoCAD to assist with drawing updates from the outset, but full training will be provided on their systems, products, standards and ways of working.

Progression

For the right person, this role has the potential to develop into a long-term design position within the company.

As the candidate gains experience, the role could evolve into a Design Coordinator or Design Manager position. This would include greater responsibility for project design coordination, attending video calls with architects and contractors, managing design comments, coordinating approvals and supporting the wider project team through the design stage.