Interior Designer

American Cruise Lines - Guilford, CT

Full-time

Guilford, CT

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation

About the position

American Cruise Lines is seeking an Interior Designer/Architect to join our team, focusing on new builds and refurbishments of our fleet. This role is integral to our mission of providing guests with comfortable and stylish travel experiences on America's waterways. The Interior Designer/Architect will be responsible for creating functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing spaces onboard our ships, ensuring that all designs adhere to relevant USCG regulations and budgetary constraints. The position requires a solution-focused approach to selecting furniture, fixtures, equipment, and decorative items, all while maintaining a keen eye for design and detail. In this role, the Interior Designer/Architect will spend time onboard vessels during the construction phase to ensure that all aesthetic elements and design features are incorporated as approved by the company. Additionally, the designer will support and maintain the quality of the interior spaces on our existing fleet, providing new design concepts and updated layouts to facilitate refurbishment and growth. Collaboration with ACL leadership, Chesapeake Shipbuilding, and outside contractors is essential to deliver vessels on time and within budget. The Interior Designer/Architect will manage large-scale design projects simultaneously, working closely with Hotel Operations to determine guest experience requirements for interior design items. Proficiency in AutoCAD, Photoshop, and other rendering and modeling software is necessary to prepare and illustrate final plans. The designer will also be responsible for creating presentation boards, renderings, drawings, and specifications as needed, while staying current with trends and materials in the interior design field. This position reports to the Director of Product and is part of the Product team.

Responsibilities

• Develops large-scale design projects simultaneously according to desired objectives and goals from senior leadership.
• Works with Hotel Operations to determine Guest Experience requirements for interior design items.
• Uses AutoCAD, Photoshop, Rendering and modelling software to prepare and illustrate final plans.
• Manages and develops presentation boards, renderings, drawings, floor plans, elevations, detail sections, finishes schedules, lighting/reflective ceiling plans and area specifications, as needed.
• Maintains current knowledge of trends and materials, techniques, and other developments in interior design.
• Collaborates with architects, engineers, painters, and builders on how interior spaces should function, appear, and be finished.
• Acts as company representative for American Cruise Lines in the shipyard.
• Prepares sketches or other visual aids to demonstrate designs.
• Provides material, fabric reselection and design change support.
• Provides updated design concepts and layouts as needed for refurbishment projects.
• Determines timelines and project costs and presents accurate estimates.
• Oversees the installation of materials, furniture, and other design elements.
• Makes recommendations for replacement and improvements of shipboard spaces.
• Works with Purchasing team on orders or obtains necessary materials, adhering to USCG regulations and budget specifications.
• Ensures satisfaction by visiting ships frequently and resolves any issues or concerns.
• Supports the standardization of ships decor, furniture, and accessories.
• Makes recommendations to improve the maintainability of the interior design elements on the ships; imposes design standards to increase life-cycle cost effectiveness.
• Approves material samples, proposed substitutes, and contractors' shop drawings for refurbishment projects to ensure design objectives are accurately reflected.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

• B.S. Degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field
• 5 years of relevant experience
• Strong knowledge of interior design principles, space planning, furniture design, lighting design, and FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) specifications
• Ability to use AutoCAD, Photoshop, Rendering and modelling software
• Proven track record of successfully managing large interior design projects from concept to completion, preferably within the hospitality, cruise, or luxury travel industry
• Strong organizational and process skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English)

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) matching