Tile Technical Director — Fractional / Retainer
Barrett Flooring + Design
Location: United States, Remote | Texas candidates may provide occasional on-site support
Engagement: Part-time / Independent Contractor / Retainer
Estimated Commitment: Approximately 20 hours per month, variable
The Role
Barrett Flooring + Design is seeking a highly experienced tile installation expert to serve as our fractional Tile Technical Director.
This is not a full-time installation position. We are looking for a true technical authority: someone who has spent years overseeing, inspecting, troubleshooting, or managing high-quality tile installations and understands the difference between "how it's usually done" and how it should actually be done.
You can live anywhere in the United States.
For candidates outside Texas, most work can be performed remotely through phone calls, photos, video, FaceTime/Zoom, plans, specifications, and other digital documentation. Texas-based candidates may also have opportunities for occasional site visits.
What You'll Do
You will serve as the senior technical resource for our tile division, supporting our project managers, estimators, installation teams, and leadership.
Responsibilities may include:
- Reviewing difficult or unusual tile installation conditions
- Advising our team before installation on assemblies, substrates, waterproofing, movement accommodation, setting materials, drainage, transitions, and other technical details
- Reviewing photos, videos, plans, specifications, and field conditions
- Helping diagnose installation problems before they become expensive failures
- Providing technical guidance when field conditions differ from plans or specifications
- Advising on shower and wet-area assemblies
- Reviewing installation approaches involving Schluter-KERDI, DITRA, profiles, drains, uncoupling systems, waterproofing systems, and related products
- Helping our estimating team identify technical requirements that should be included before a project is sold
- Supporting project managers and installers when difficult technical questions arise
- Helping Barrett continually improve its tile installation standards, details, checklists, and training
- Providing an authoritative second opinion when there is disagreement about the correct installation method
This is primarily an advisory and quality-control position, not a production installation role.
Who We're Looking For
We are looking for someone with substantial real-world tile experience.
An ideal candidate may have worked as a:
- Senior tile contractor or installer
- Tile installation company owner
- Installation manager or superintendent
- Tile consultant or inspector
- Manufacturer technical representative
- Technical trainer
- Commercial or high-end residential tile specialist
You should have personally overseen or evaluated a significant volume of tile installations and be comfortable making technical recommendations when conditions aren't textbook-perfect.
Technical Background
Strong candidates should have deep working knowledge of:
- TCNA Handbook methods and standards
- ANSI tile installation standards
- Substrate preparation and flatness requirements
- Waterproofing and shower assemblies
- Uncoupling and crack-isolation systems
- Movement joints and expansion requirements
- Large-format tile
- Mortar and setting-material selection
- Drainage and wet-area construction
- Failure analysis and troubleshooting
Extensive Schluter Systems knowledge is particularly important.
CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI), Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT), NTCA involvement, manufacturer certifications/training, inspection credentials, or comparable industry qualifications are highly preferred.
What This Is Not
We aren't looking for someone to simply approve whatever is already happening in the field.
We want someone with enough experience and technical confidence to say:
"That's correct."
"I wouldn't install it that way."
or
"Before you proceed, here's what needs to change."
We value practical field experience as much as textbook knowledge. The right person understands standards but also knows how to apply them to complicated real-world construction.
Schedule and Compensation
This is a retainer-based fractional position, initially expected to average approximately 20 hours per month.
Hours will vary. Some weeks may require very little involvement, while an active technical issue may require more concentrated attention.
Compensation is negotiable based on experience, credentials, availability, and the scope of the relationship.
Our goal is to establish an ongoing relationship with someone who becomes a trusted technical authority for Barrett Flooring + Design.
To Apply
Please send us a short introduction describing:
- Your tile industry experience
- The approximate number or scale of installations you've overseen, managed, inspected, or consulted on
- Your experience with TCNA and ANSI standards
- Your experience with Schluter Systems
- Relevant certifications, training, or industry affiliations
- Your experience troubleshooting failed or questionable installations
- Your location
Experienced tile professionals anywhere in the United States are encouraged to apply.
Pay: $60.00 - $80.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: Remote
