ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Design Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Webcor

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Develops RFPs and prepares scopes of work for design firms and design-assist partners. * Coordinates budgets, communicates changes, and aligns design with target values. * Coordinates permits and ...

Astranis

CAD Engineer

San Francisco, CA

Develop, ideate, and document considerate practices that enable good and efficient design * Assist in recruiting, interviewing and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team Requirements ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsDesign JobsDesign Assistant JobsDesign Assistant Jobs in California

Design Assistant information

See California salary details

$10

$24

$38

How much do design assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for design assistant in California is $24.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design assistant?

Design Assistants are professionals who support designers or design teams in various creative industries, such as fashion, interior, graphic, or product design. Their responsibilities typically include assisting with research, organizing materials, preparing presentations, managing schedules, and helping with the execution of design projects. Design Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring that projects run smoothly and efficiently by handling administrative and creative tasks. They often collaborate closely with senior designers, clients, and vendors to bring creative concepts to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Design Assistant, you need a solid grasp of design principles, proficiency in graphic design or interior design basics, and a relevant educational background such as a degree or diploma in design. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, or SketchUp is commonly required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly help you stand out in supporting senior designers and collaborating with clients. These competencies ensure efficient workflow, high-quality deliverables, and effective teamwork in fast-paced design environments.

What are some common challenges design assistants face when collaborating with senior designers and clients?

Design Assistants often navigate balancing creative input with following the vision set by senior designers and clients. Communication is key, as misunderstandings can arise regarding project expectations, deadlines, or feedback. Additionally, adapting to shifting priorities and managing multiple tasks simultaneously can be challenging, but these experiences help develop multitasking and problem-solving skills. Building strong relationships with team members and clients fosters a supportive work environment and facilitates professional growth.

What is the difference between Design Assistant vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesign AssistantGraphic Designer
CredentialsAssociate's degree or related certificationBachelor's degree in Graphic Design or related field
Work EnvironmentSupportive role in design teams, often in studios or corporate settingsIndependent or team-based projects, creative agencies, or in-house departments
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with design tasks, preparing materials, organizing projectsCreating visual concepts, designing layouts, producing final artwork

While both roles involve visual design, a Design Assistant primarily supports senior designers by handling preparatory and organizational tasks. A Graphic Designer takes on the core creative responsibilities, producing original designs and visual content. The roles often overlap in work environment and credentials, but differ in scope and level of creative independence.

How do you become a design assistant?

To become a design assistant, candidates typically need a relevant associate's or bachelor's degree in design, art, or a related field. Gaining proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite and building a strong portfolio are important steps, along with relevant internship or work experience. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are also valuable in this role.

What skills do you need to be a design assistant?

A design assistant needs strong creativity, attention to detail, and proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite. Good communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively, and basic knowledge of design principles are also important for supporting creative projects effectively.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Design jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Assistant jobs in California?

For Design Assistant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design Assistant jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Assistant jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Design Assistant jobs?

Cities in California with the most Design Assistant job openings:

Design Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,552 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Integrated Design Manager

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

McCarthy Building Companies rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY
McCarthy is looking for a Design Manager in the Sacramento Area. The Design Manager is responsible to ensure successful delivery of McCarthy projects by managing the design process and participants. Participants include the design team(s) and subcontractors when projects utilize design build, design assist or other alternate delivery methods. This position requires proactive management of the design process with all parties ensuring coordinated documents that support the project goals for: Quality, Cost, Scope and Execution.
The Design Manager will also be responsible to coordinate the resolution of design issues which occur during the course of construction, typically in a field related role.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Design Management
  • Define, schedule and monitor design deliverables on projects that include design build or other alternate forms of delivery.
  • Monitor quality and timeliness of design deliverables to all parties.
  • Coordinate all design document packaging strategies with McCarthy Project team.
  • Interface with Project teams, internal and external, to develop expectations for content of design documents at various stages of design, to establish content quality and to define key milestones/metrics to verify expectations will be met.
  • Inform McCarthy project team and other project participants of design status, design quality and liabilities related to design.
  • Review design progress to prevent cost and scope creep.
  • Manage all conflicts within the documents during all periods of the design phase to successful resolution for all parties.
  • Manage the RFI (design Issues) process for communication of questions and answers between the Owner and the design team.
  • Manage the file management system for document control.
  • Host and manage Value Analysis sessions as needed to look for cost effective details and material selections to maintain or improve the project budget or GMP.
  • Become knowledgeable of all building codes (Including federal requirements if applicable) related to project. Monitor document development to ensure codes are incorporated into the design.
  • Ensure that the project specifications meet the requirements of the project for compliance with local and federal regulations. Coordinate specifications and drawings to ensure requirements of each are properly coordinated. Ensure Owner program, design standards and expected outcomes are incorporated into the design.
  • Coordinate with Owner vendors (such as equipment) to ensure requirements for Owner's vendors are incorporated.
  • Coordinate proposal submissions with BUL and Division Marketing to the extent required.
  • Develop RFP's for design firm responses or design build/ design assist subcontractor responses
  • Prepare designer and subcontractor Scopes of Work. Coordinate design services between firms to ensure no gaps in design services.
  • Coordinate contract terms and conditions with McCarthy team.
  • Coordinate responsibilities for BIM and develop workflows to support the use of BIM.
  • Coordinate Co-location requirements for projects that Co-Locate.
  • Coordinate with McCarthy team all preconstruction budgets and construction budgets. Ensure that any changes to the budgets are clearly communicated to the team via a Trend Log.
  • Develop plan to monitor design based on target budget(s) or systems budget(s) for construction.
  • Coordinate with Owner all permits for construction. Develop relationship with permit agency (ies) to ensure all permits are in place to allow for construction.
  • Coordinate with Owner all utility services for project. Inform Owner of utility encumbrances, timing and design to ensure un-interrupted construction operations.
  • Become familiar with project development agreements as they apply, to ensure work performed by McCarthy is in conformance to these agreements. Advise client and project participants as required regarding development agreements.
  • Coordinate with the McCarthy team initial budgets, GMP's or Lump Sum values for Subcontractors performing Design Build or Design Assist services. Coordinate estimate updates with McCarthy team. Become familiar with all scopes and budgets to ensure a coordinated approach to estimating and design monitoring /scope monitoring.
  • Develop initial Scope of Work for Design Phase Services with project team to ensure no gaps.
  • Monitor design between estimate updates to report, review and determine corrective course(s) of action required to maintain or lower the overall budget.
  • Coordinate / Integrate overall design deliverables, and construction schedules with project staff.
  • Develop internal costs and metrics to inform team on design direction and cost comparisons for design.
  • Develop BIM execution plan for project with BIM Manager.
  • Update McCarthy procedures (Precon, Field, etc...) to incorporate best Design Management techniques
  • Present Design Management training at various Division training opportunities such as Project Manager Training, Project Superintendent Training, and Management Development Program Training.

Quality Program Implementation
  • Oversee Implementation of McCarthy Quality program and procedures, verifying critical quality elements are incorporated into the Design Documents and are part of the Construction Activities.
  • Participate in McCarthy Quality program site audits and reporting.
  • Review Claims & Latent Defects.

Other
  • Build effective and strong relationships with Risk Management/Legal.
  • Build effective and strong relationships with Executive Management/Business Unit Leaders/Key Division Management.
  • Build effective and strong relationships with Key Owners/Architects/Engineers.
  • Document Lessons Learned and Best Practices.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • 10+ years experience in management positions managing and coordinating Design disciplines
  • BS in Engineering or Architecture required. MS preferred Good verbal and written communication.
  • Excellent facilitator capabilities.
  • Good understanding of the technical aspects of all building systems.
  • Process oriented.
  • Proven experience working in the design phase of a project.
  • Ability to direct the design team to positive outcomes for the project.
  • Focus on Key Design and Quality Process Characteristics (Define the End Goal, Work Done Right the First Time, Each Individual is Responsible, Verification - Not Inspection, Long-Term Focus, and Improved Results in Design Document Quality). Not Focused on Just Completing Checklists or Writing Plans.
  • Understands design, construction, operations and legal perspective of design.
  • Hands-on field experience in design and construction.
  • Enjoys training others.
  • Team builder.
  • Specific technical expertise in building enclosures or MEP systems is desirable.
  • Good computer skills, including proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and software programs (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Access, Revit, Navisworks, QTO, etc.).
  • Professional Engineer or Registered Architect preferred.
  • History of Affiliations with Professional Organizations preferred (i.e. AIA, CSI, ASHRAE, etc.).

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
For Sacramento location only, the salary range for this position is: $120,000-$160,000, depending on location. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation. Compensation offered may vary based on work location, experience, qualifications, specialty, training, and market and business considerations, among other factors.
NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: McCarthy's Talent Acquisition Team is the only authorized representative permitted to engage with external search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting partners. McCarthy maintains an Approved Agency List for recruiting partners, which is reviewed and updated annually.
McCarthy will only consider submissions from agencies with a signed fee agreement in place for the current year. McCarthy does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or referrals from agencies that do not meet these requirements.
If a candidate is submitted without an active agreement, McCarthy will have no obligation to pay any fees and reserves the right to contact, engage, interview, or hire such candidate(s) without any financial or other responsibility to the submitting agency. Unsolicited resumes, including those sent directly to hiring managers or other employees, will be considered the property of McCarthy.

What McCarthy Building Companies employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

McCarthy Building logo

About McCarthy Building

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

McCarthy Building, headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, US, is a leading construction company primarily offering general contracting, design-build and construction management services throughout the United States. Its prominent industry presence can be explored in detail on its official website, mccarthy.com. Founded in 1864, the company has built a robust legacy marked by significant contributions to the U.S. construction industry. McCarthy Building engages a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, commercial, renewable energy, and advanced technology.

Industry

Construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1864

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All McCarthy Building Jobs

Apply