Principal Interior Designer - Savannah, GA

General Dynamics - Savannah, GA

Full-time - Senior

Savannah, GA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Principal Interior Designer at Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in Savannah, GA, is a pivotal role that requires a blend of creativity, technical proficiency, and exceptional communication skills. This position is designed for an individual who can work autonomously to produce comprehensive, multi-media designs tailored to the unique needs of Gulfstream's customers and prospective clients. The Principal Interior Designer will engage directly with high-profile clients, including Chairmen and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, to capture their design requirements and execute concepts that align with their business objectives. This role demands a high level of professionalism and the ability to instill confidence in clients throughout the design process. In this position, the designer will oversee the production of design drawings, material selections, and concepts, ensuring that all components meet FAA and Gulfstream's contractual guidelines. The complexity of the work requires a deep understanding of design trends, global cultural influences, and FAA regulations related to aircraft interiors. The Principal Interior Designer will also be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with clients, operations, engineering management, and vendors, ensuring clear communication and execution of client expectations. The role involves extensive travel, up to 50%, to meet with clients and oversee projects worldwide. The designer will lead a cross-site team effort, provide design guidance throughout the completion process, and manage the design budget for each account. Additionally, the Principal Interior Designer will mentor studio designers and troubleshoot design-related issues, ensuring a high-quality interior that meets the client's vision and Gulfstream's standards.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with confidence and authority to Chairmen/CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and high net worth individuals to meet business objectives.
• Represent the GAC Brand with professionalism and instill confidence within the customer.
• Act autonomously to communicate comprehensive and detailed concepts that effectively satisfy client requirements throughout the sales and design definition process and delivery.
• Oversee production of design drawings, material selections and concepts, and product development to GAC's engineering and production departments in a timely manner for completion of contracts to ensure that delivery schedules are met with accuracy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, operations and engineering management, internal shops, and vendors, to keep clear lines of communication and execute on the client's expectations.
• Work collaboratively with customer completions to produce, maintain, and archive the specification and design package with no supervision.
• Provide design direction throughout the entire completion process to ensure design quality and fidelity of design execution.
• Maintain current knowledge of all FAA regulations related to aircraft interiors.
• Oversee and approve material finish schedule and other internal documents required for accurate definition.
• Attend all validation meetings including, but not limited to seat validation meetings.
• Provide design guidance through post delivery.
• Effectively manage outside consultants to ensure a quality interior.
• Provide design guidance to studio designers.
• Oversight and creation of client presentations.
• Leads a cross site team effort and/or departmental continuous improvement objective.
• Troubleshoot design related issues with clients and internal departments.
• Effectively manage design budget for each account.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design or related curriculum required or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• 6 years experience in aircraft interior design or related field.
• Proficiency of design principles, color theory, and textile and leather production techniques required.
• Knowledge of FAA regulations relating to interior finish requirements required.
• Possess working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Nice-to-haves

• Luxury interior design experience preferred.
• Foreign language proficiency preferred.