Truss & Component Designer

About Better Living Components:

Better Living Components is a trusted, premier provider of high-quality engineered wood products and building components serving Central Virginia. Located at our Proffit Road facility, our team designs and manufactures structural roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels that bring residential and commercial construction projects to life.

Our designers work side-by-side as a collaborative unit. You will be joining an established, supportive 4-person design department consisting of two junior designers, yourself, and our dedicated Design Manager. We pride ourselves on teamwork, mentorship, and a strong connection to our local building community.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Component Designer with a proven track record in the structural component industry. In this role, you will design residential and commercial projects, turning architectural blueprints into manufacturable reality. Because we already have entry-level talent on staff, we are looking for a professional who can hit the ground running, optimize complicated layouts, and serve as a technical anchor for the team. Please note this is a fully in-person position in Charlottesville, VA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze complex architectural plans, structural engineering blueprints, and builder field notes to determine precise design specifications.
• Design structural wood components (roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels) using specialized component design software (MiTek).
• Review designs for structural integrity, code compliance, and maximum cost-efficiency.
• Generate highly accurate production drawings, cutting lists, and material layouts for our on-site manufacturing plant.
• Work collaboratively within our 4-person design team to balance workloads, peer-review designs, and ensure zero-defect production handoffs.
• Collaborate directly with sales representatives, project managers, and contractors to clarify dimensions and resolve complex design discrepancies.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience: Minimum of 4+ years of dedicated experience in wood truss, wall panel, or structural component design is required.
• Software: Advanced proficiency with component design software (experience with MiTek architecture software is highly preferred).
• Blueprint Reading: Expert-level proficiency in reading and interpreting architectural and structural construction drawings.
• Technical Skills: Strong mathematical aptitude, spatial visualization, and a deep understanding of load paths, span capabilities, and regional building codes.
• Teamwork: A desire to work in a collaborative, team-oriented office environment where knowledge-sharing and peer reviews are valued.

Benefits:

• Competitive hourly pay starting at $30.00/hr.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 100% Company-paid benefits (including Long-Term Disability and Profit Sharing).
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• 401(k) retirement plan options.
• A stable, daytime Monday-through-Friday schedule with the consistency of an in-person, local team.

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person