Senior Designer (Facades) in Kingston upon Thames

Senior Façade Designer

Chessington, Surrey

Permanent, full-time

£55,000 - £60,000 depending on experience, flexibility for the right candidate

Office-based, with site visits as required

Winsearch is proud to partner with an established specialist façade contractor looking to appoint an experienced Senior Façade Designer to strengthen its technical team.

This is a hands-on senior position covering curtain walling, cladding, aluminium windows and doors across technically demanding façade projects.

You’ll take ownership of design packages from early-stage development through coordination, manufacture and installation. You’ll also review drawings produced by other team members, support junior designers and represent the design function during technical meetings.

You’ll independently develop coordinated façade design packages that respond to the architectural intent, project specification, Building Regulations and relevant industry standards.

Working closely with architects, consultants, structural engineers, manufacturers and site teams, you’ll resolve technical interfaces and make sure design information is accurate, buildable and suitable for manufacture and installation.

The role requires someone who can manage several projects simultaneously without losing control of technical quality, programme or detail.

• Developing façade design packages from early-stage design through to manufacture and installation
• Producing accurate 2D drawings using AutoCAD
• Working across curtain walling, cladding, aluminium windows and doors
• Translating architectural intent into practical, compliant and buildable façade solutions
• Reviewing specifications, drawings and contractual design requirements
• Producing coordinated general-arrangement, interface and fabrication information
• Coordinating with architects, structural engineers, consultants and system manufacturers
• Resolving façade interfaces, fixing requirements and technical queries
• Working with systems including Schüco, Aluprof and comparable façade products
• Liaising with site teams to resolve installation and design issues
• Attending sites for surveys, inspections and technical reviews
• Assessing completed works against approved design information and quality standards
• Leading technical discussions during internal and external meetings
• Reviewing and validating drawings produced by other designers
• Checking design information for accuracy, compliance and buildability
• Mentoring junior designers and supporting their technical development
• Helping maintain consistent design standards across the team
• Improving design processes through new tools, systems and working methods
• Managing several live design packages against agreed project deadlines

• At least five years’ experience in façade design
• Strong experience across curtain walling, cladding, aluminium windows and doors
• Expert proficiency in 2D AutoCAD
• Experience developing façade packages through manufacture and installation
• Strong understanding of façade manufacturing and construction processes
• Knowledge of UK Building Regulations and relevant façade guidance
• Familiarity with CWCT guidance and applicable BS and EN standards
• Experience using Schüco, Aluprof or comparable systems
• Ability to interpret architectural and structural information
• Strong understanding of façade interfaces and fixing requirements
• Confidence resolving technical and installation issues
• Ability to review and validate design information produced by others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisation and time-management capability
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proactive approach and willingness to take ownership of deliverables
• Competence with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering or a related discipline, or a Level 5 Diploma in Façade Design and Engineering
• Minimum five years’ relevant façade-design experience
• Advanced 2D AutoCAD capability

• Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD 3D or similar three-dimensional design experience
• Ability to produce clear hand sketches to communicate design concepts
• BIM or wider digital-coordination experience
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior designers
• Relevant professional membership or progress towards professional recognition

You’ll be an experienced façade designer who can take responsibility for technically demanding packages without requiring close supervision.

You should be comfortable challenging information, explaining technical decisions and coordinating with different project stakeholders. You’ll understand how design decisions affect manufacture, procurement, installation, quality and programme.

The successful candidate will be methodical and detail-focused, but also practical enough to resolve issues quickly when they arise on site.

You’ll support less experienced designers constructively while maintaining clear expectations around drawing quality, technical accuracy and delivery dates.

• Accuracy and buildability of design information
• Delivery of drawing packages against programme
• Compliance with specifications and regulatory requirements
• Effective coordination of façade interfaces
• Reduction in design-related site issues
• Quality of technical submissions and fabrication information
• Timely resolution of technical queries
• Support and development provided to junior designers
• Relationships with clients, consultants and project teams
• Contribution to improved design processes and standards

• £55,000 - £60,000 salary depending on experience
• Permanent position with an established façade contractor
• Ownership of technically challenging design packages
• Exposure to curtain walling, cladding, window and door systems
• Involvement from early-stage design through manufacture and installation
• Opportunity to lead technical discussions and influence project outcomes
• Responsibility for mentoring developing designers
• Support from experienced technical, project and site teams
• Long-term professional development and career progression

If you’re an experienced Senior Façade Designer with strong AutoCAD capability and direct curtain walling, cladding, window and door experience, contact Winsearch for a confidential discussion.

INDWIN

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