Interior Design Assistant

Location: Onsite (Southern California)

Employment Type: Contract (Full-Time)

About AKIVA

AKIVA is an AI-native engineering firm specializing in enterprise services, domain-specific solutions, and high-performance infrastructure from strategy through deployment. We build innovative systems that drive measurable results for commercial enterprises and government agencies. AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

Position Overview

AKIVA is seeking an Interior Design Assistant to support the VA Long Beach Healthcare System Engineering Service Planning Section under the Interior Design Section. The Interior Design Assistant works under the direction of the VA Supervisory Interior Designer and in partnership with the contracted Interior Designer to execute space planning, FF&E procurement preparation, and delivery and installation management for major project activations.

Key Responsibilities

•          Assist the contracted Interior Designer and VA Interior Designer in creating and executing design services for offices, conference rooms, patient care exam rooms, treatment rooms, waiting rooms, entry lobbies, break rooms, cafe, and support rooms throughout major construction projects

•          Prepare detailed AutoCAD designs, plans, sketches, perspectives, color schemes, and visual aids for design presentations

•          Develop AutoCAD Furniture, Fixture & Equipment (FF&E) plan layers for building codes, major equipment, materials, placeholder furnishings, and traffic patterns

•          Interpret and review provided architectural plans for concurrence with the VA TIL, standards, and specifications

•          Produce procurement packages following VA contracting procurement standards including SOW, technical specifications, attachments, documentation, drawings, IGCEs, bid sheets, and budgets

•          Maintain the Interior Design Resource Library including drawings, plans, specification procurement documents, project correspondence, and binders

•          Review wayfinding signage plans, furniture and artwork installation plans, and direct installation crews; develop punch lists and coordinate completion with furniture dealers and installers

•          Follow working knowledge of ABAAS, VA Barrier Free Design Guide, VA TIL, ICC, OSHA, and NFPA

•          Coordinate activities with Contracting, Logistics, EMS, OI&T, Material Management, Engineering, and end-user stakeholders

•          Capture meeting notes and design collateral in support of transition planning and stakeholder meetings

Required Qualifications

•          Familiarity with Patient Centered Care culture in healthcare

•          Ability to review and interpret blueprints and specifications

•          Skilled in free-form drawing and drawing to scale on job sites

•          Proficiency with AutoCAD and the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

•          Expertise in the selection, specification, procurement, and placement of furnishings

•          Working knowledge of ABAAS, VA Barrier Free Design Guide, VA TIL, ICC, OSHA, and NFPA

•          Effective written and verbal communication skills with contractors, management officials, vendors, Contracting Officers, and VA Long Beach staff

•          Must be authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

•          National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)

•          Project Management Certification

•          Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC)

•          Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation

•          Experience with Microsoft Project and Revit

Tools, Technologies & Frameworks

Design: AutoCAD, Revit (preferred) | Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), Microsoft Project | Standards: ABAAS, VA Barrier Free Design Guide, VA TIL, ICC, OSHA, NFPA | Deliverables: FF&E plan layers, procurement packages, meeting notes, punch lists

What AKIVA Offers

•          Professional development and skill-building opportunities

•          Supportive management team with veteran-owned company values

•          Opportunity to work on impactful federal healthcare programs supporting Veterans

•          Long-term contract engagement with potential for extension

•          AI productivity tools and training provided at no cost to employees

Comprehensive Benefits Package

•          401(k) with generous company match

•          Medical Insurance

•          Dental Insurance

•          Vision Insurance

•          Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

•          Paid Time Off (PTO)

•          Profit Sharing

Join Our AI Innovation Network

Interested in staying connected with AKIVA's AI initiatives, research, and opportunities?

Join our AI Innovation Network here: https://www.akiva.com/ai-network

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

AKIVA is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical disability, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people within a qualified candidate pool.

AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).