Senior CAD Designer / Furniture Draftsperson
Location: Knutsford Showroom - Office based
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reporting to: Design Director
About Hetherington Newman
Hetherington Newman designs, manufactures and installs exceptional bespoke furniture and architectural joinery for private residential projects in the UK and internationally.
Our work includes kitchens, dressing rooms, libraries, media rooms, studies, panelling and other individually designed fitted furniture. Every project is manufactured by our own team at our workshop in Glossop.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced CAD designer or draftsperson to join our design team at our Knutsford showroom.
This is a technically focused role requiring a strong understanding of bespoke furniture, cabinetry and architectural joinery. The successful candidate will work closely with our Design Director and wider design team, translating design concepts into accurate, detailed drawings suitable for client approval, technical development and site coordination.
The role will take primary responsibility for producing the Design Director’s CAD drawings while also supporting other members of the design team when required. It would suit someone capable of working independently, identifying technical issues and producing consistently accurate work with limited supervision.
This is not a junior design position. We are looking for someone with the experience and practical understanding to take ownership of their drawings and contribute meaningfully to the technical development of each project.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce accurate CAD drawings for bespoke furniture and architectural joinery projects.
- Translate the Design Director’s concepts, sketches and design direction into clear and detailed drawings.
- Prepare design-development and client-approval drawings.
- Produce plans, elevations, sections and construction details.
- Prepare service drawings for electrical, plumbing, lighting, ventilation and appliance requirements.
- Ensure drawings accurately reflect site dimensions, architectural information and agreed client specifications.
- Incorporate appliances, ironmongery, lighting, specialist finishes and other third-party products into the drawings.
- Liaise with designers, project managers, estimators and the technical CAD team to ensure information is complete and coordinated.
- Review architects’ drawings, site surveys and other technical information.
- Identify dimensional conflicts, missing information and potential buildability issues before drawings are issued.
- Make drawing revisions promptly and maintain clear revision control.
- Support the wider design team during busy periods or when projects require additional technical input.
- Assist with the preparation of specifications, schedules and supporting project information.
- Attend internal project reviews and, where necessary, meetings at the Glossop workshop or on site.
- Work to agreed drawing deadlines so that client sign-offs, technical development and manufacturing programmes remain on schedule.
- Maintain high standards of accuracy and presentation across all work produced.
Experience and Skills
Essential
- Significant professional experience producing CAD drawings for bespoke furniture, cabinetry, kitchens or architectural joinery.
- A sound understanding of furniture construction, materials and manufacturing methods.
- Experience preparing detailed plans, elevations, sections and technical details.
- Ability to produce accurate service drawings for site use.
- Strong spatial awareness and the ability to interpret surveys and architectural drawings.
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and manage several live projects simultaneously.
- Good communication skills and the confidence to raise technical concerns or request missing information.
- A practical and collaborative approach to working with designers, project managers and manufacturing teams.
- Ability to prioritise work and meet project deadlines.
Desirable
- Experience working on high-end residential interiors.
- Experience with complex fitted furniture and architectural joinery.
- Knowledge of appliances, ironmongery, lighting systems and specialist finishes.
- Experience working directly with a joinery workshop or manufacturing team.
- Experience coordinating drawings with architects, interior designers, contractors and site teams.
- Relevant qualification in furniture design, product design, interior architecture, technical drawing or a related discipline.
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who is:
- Technically capable and naturally detail-focused.
- Organised, dependable and accountable for the quality of their work.
- Comfortable taking responsibility and working with limited supervision.
- Able to balance design intent with practical manufacturing and installation requirements.
- Calm and methodical when working across several projects.
- Willing to support colleagues and contribute to the wider design team.
- Flexible when project deadlines occasionally require additional effort.
What We Offer
- A salary of £35,000–£40,000, depending on experience.
- The opportunity to work on exceptional bespoke residential projects.
- Close involvement in projects from initial design through to manufacture and installation.
- Direct access to our in-house manufacturing team and workshop.
- A varied role within an established bespoke furniture and architectural joinery business.
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Private medical insurance
Application question(s):
Experience:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
