Enso Homes is an Austin-based design-build start-up (emphasis on start-up!) that's rethinking how people remodel their homes. We pair thoughtful design with health-conscious construction, non-toxic materials, mold-resistant methods and we use AI in every capacity possible. Our clients don't just get a renovation. They get a process that's transparent, personal, and dare we say…. enjoyable.
We're growing, and we need a designer who's ready to grow with us.
The Role This isn't a "sit behind a screen and pick fabrics" kind of design job. You'll be our clients' design partner from the very first walkthrough to the final after photos and the project completion gift basket. You'll walk homes, talk through layouts, present concepts, develop material palettes, and make sure every project feels like it was made for the person living in it.
You need a solid eye for materials, we lean more natural vibing with a cohesive blend of stone, tile, wood, metals, and wool textiles. No vinyl in this neck of the wood. You should have opinions about grout joints and cabinet depths, and the ability to communicate the finer details in a crystal clear manner. This is a role where design taste meets practical building knowledge.
Most of your sourcing and specification work happens digitally. We're not spending days wandering showrooms - time efficiency has been super-boosted thanks to AI and we take full advantage of that. There are, of course, things you have to see and touch in person. You'll occasionally accompany clients to slab yards for countertop stone or visit a tile supplier when the project calls for it, but these are purposeful trips, not the default.
You'll work closely with our project managers and superintendent, so you don't need to be a licensed architect or engineer. But you do need to be technically literate. When a client asks about moving a wall or relocating a kitchen island, you should be able to talk confidently about what that means for electrical, plumbing, and overall layout and not wing it.
What You'll Actually Do
Client Experience (You're Their Person)
Manage incoming leads pipeline and convert to in-person walkthroughs.
Coordinate the walkthrough schedule, aligning the client, superintendent, project manager, and Matterport photographer so everyone's in the right place at the right time
Capture detailed notes (we use AI pendants and iPads) and format per our AI guidelines
Be the client's main design contact from kickoff through project completion - checking in, answering questions and taking great care of their entire journey
Design + Concept Development
Translate client aspirations into a cohesive design direction, you're taking someone's Pinterest board and half-formed ideas and turning them into a real, buildable vision
Guide clients through our 13-Day Design Plan where we create floor plans, mood boards, color palettes, material directions, construction plans, and finish concepts
Develop material palettes that consider texture, tone, durability, and how finishes interact across a space, not just what looks good in isolation
Present design concepts to clients, incorporating feedback with confidence and taste
Dive deep into specific selections: countertops, tile, fluted glass, antique brass hardware, fixtures, cabinetry, appliances, lighting, the works
Source and specify materials primarily through digital channels, vendor relationships, and samples, with occasional in-person slab yard or supplier visits when the project requires it
Technical Knowledge
Speak intelligently about electrical and plumbing considerations during walkthroughs, you don't need to design the systems, but you need to know when moving a sink affects supply lines or when an island needs a floor outlet
Understand countertop depths, cabinet dimensions, appliance clearances, and how design decisions impact what actually gets built
Sketch concept layouts and floor plans to communicate design intent, you're not producing full construction documents, but you should be able to put ideas onto screens clearly enough for the build team to run with
Working knowledge of AutoCAD enough to read, mark up, and sketch basic plans
Process + Organization
Upload and organize walkthrough notes using AI tools into our templated formats
Stay on pace with our 13 Day Design Plan process, executing and delivering efficiently
Enter selections into JobTread (we'll train you on this)
Maintain clear, organized project documentation throughout the design process
Collaborate with our Superintendents and PMs to make sure design intent translates to the field
Who You Are
The Must-Haves
You're a natural at building trust and guiding people toward decisions. You may not think of yourself as "salesy," but clients tend to say yes when you're the one walking them through it
3-5 years of residential interior design experience leading client-facing projects (not just supporting a senior designer)
You're comfortable and enthusiastic about AI. We use it every day, and you should be genuinely excited about using these tools and willing to sharpen your prompting skills
You are chill. Calm under pressure, able to take 3 deep breaths and bring yourself to the present moment to handle whatever comes your way. We are here to collaborate and support you.
You are willing to master learning non-toxic alternatives to industry standard solutions
Processes are still being built here, and you'll thrive in that - not be frustrated by it
You genuinely care about people. Our clients are inviting us into their homes and trusting us with one of the biggest investments they'll make. That's not lost on you. You're the kind of person who remembers the small details, that they mentioned their kids need a homework nook. make people feel like they're your only client, even when they're not
You have the ability to build out a selections database
The Nice-to-Haves
Familiarity with JobTread or similar project management platforms
Experience working at a startup or small team where you wore many hats
Connections in the Austin design/build community
You've worked with AI tools beyond the basics and have a genuine curiosity about how they can make design work faster and better
What It's Like Here
We're a startup. That means you'll have real ownership, real impact, and real variety in your day-to-day. It also means things are evolving ie. processes, tools, roles. Some days you're presenting a beautiful design concept to a client. Other days you're figuring out the best way to organize a selections sheet that doesn't exist yet.
If you're the kind of person who sees a gap and fills it, you'll love it here. If you need everything systematized before you can do your best work, this ain’t it pardner’
We care deeply about building healthy homes and treating people well, clients and team members alike. We work hard, we move fast, and chase opportunity with vigor.
Compensation & Details
Location: Austin, TX (on-site + field visits) Type: Full-time Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 Performance Bonuses: $95,000 - $120,000+ total comp potential through uncapped monthly closing bonuses based on signed contract value. You do not need to source your own leads, but this is a sales-facing design role, and the comp reflects that. Benefits: Healthcare reimbursement, PTO, and the flexibility that comes from working with a small team that trusts each other.
Ready To Apply?
Video submission required, just 2 minutes sharing whatever you’d like. No script needed. This helps us see who's genuinely interested versus who's mass-applying.
