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Design Assistant Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Support the coordination of Arup-specialist inputs (fire, facades, acoustics, security, assurance) into the design; * Assist in the Integration Manager in overseeing design interfaces, risks, and ...

Mechanical Engineer/Designer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Lead mechanical design for various project types and deliver projects across multiple delivery models, including: design/bid/build, design assist, and design build. * Design of HVAC systems including ...

Mechanical Estimator

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

Demonstrates the skill set needed to successfully estimate diversified project types and delivery methods inclusive of plan/spec, design assist and design build. * Assesses project RFP documents ...

Design Leader, Interiors

Seattle, WA ยท Hybrid

$65K - $98K/yr

Coordinate with project teams and consultants to resolve design and documentation issues. * Assist Senior Project Managers with preparing interior architectural drawings, specifications, finish ...

Design Engineer

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Perform design engineering for electric utility customers * Develop work packages for OH, UG, URD ... field data that will assist in developing work packages What Sets You Apart (Background ...

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Design Assistant information

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How much do design assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for design assistant in Kent, WA is $27.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.73 and $32.31 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 Kent, WA?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Kent, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Design Assistant jobs in Kent, WA?

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

What job categories do people searching Design Assistant jobs in Kent, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Assistant jobs in Kent, WA are:

What cities near Kent, WA are hiring for Design Assistant jobs?

Cities near Kent, WA with the most Design Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Assistant job openings in Kent, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,825 per year, or $27.8 per hour.

Senior Design Manager - Rail

Americas Region

Seattle, WA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

This job post hasย expired 1 day ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Joining Arup ย 

Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.ย 
We collaborate with public and private sector clients to unlock the transformative potential of railways. We offer a broad range of services spanning planning, design, delivery, systems integration, assurance, safety and security assessments, and optimization of railway operation and maintenance performance to unlock the financial value for investors, asset owners, operators and maintainers, while navigating the transition to low carbon and resilient rail. You would be joining our multidisciplinary team focusing on technical excellence and innovative solutions that shape a better future for people and the planet.

Given our continued growth, Arup is seeking an experienced Design Manager to join our rail team in Seattle and support a portfolio of major rail and transit infrastructure programs across the western United States. You may act as a deputy to the design manager, supporting the design development of a complex project; package lead with ownership of a design package through procurement; or design manager for a small- to mid-sized project. This role is well suited to a collaborative professional looking to grow in in a stimulating and challenging project environment while contributing to complex, highprofile infrastructure programs.

The Design Manager will support the leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary design teams on large rail projects, working closely with the project leadership, technical leads, contractor, and agency. The role supports planning, coordination, and quality processes on design projects where Arup serves as Prime Consultant, helping ensure design outputs are delivered efficiently, collaboratively, and in alignment with client objectives.

The Opportunity ย 

  • Support the Project Management team in the planning and delivery of multidisciplinary design packages on major rail projects, including scope definition, scheduling, resourcing, and progress tracking.
  • Work closely with the Arup Design Manager to communicate design progress and issues and escalate where requiredย 
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams across multiple technical disciplines to support integrated design delivery and alignment with project objectives.
  • Support the coordination of Arup-specialist inputs (fire, facades, acoustics, security, assurance) into the design;
  • Assist in the Integration Manager in overseeing design interfaces, risks, and issues, tracking actions and supporting timely resolution of technical and coordination decisions.
  • Lead the delivery of project drawings, reports and specifications to ensure production of deliverables to agreed timelines and within budget.
  • Support packagelevel design delivery, including coordination of design activities, procurement inputs, and construction interface support.
  • Lead design coordination workshops and formal stage reviews with technical disciplines.
  • Arrange, attend and record client and stakeholder design presentations.
  • Facilitate collaboration between clients, contractors, and consultants, including participation in user groups and stakeholder meetings.
  • Help monitor schedule, cost, and performance for assigned design packages, escalating risks and opportunities as appropriate.
  • Coordinate communication and information flow across the design team to support efficient, wellinformed decisionmaking.
  • Support design quality management processes to ensure outputs meet agreed standards, contractual requirements, and client expectations.
  • Verify formatting, language and grammar of high quality reports and presentations;
  • Assist with design reporting, governance, and project controls activities in line with project and client requirements.
  • Contribute to business development activities, including client engagement, marketing coordination, and support for bids and proposals.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective - in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. ย 

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning - to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering or a related field, with 5-10 years of experience supporting the delivery of complex rail or transit projects in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Experience of design management and coordination on large infrastructure projects, with a passion for design and an appreciation of all disciplines' roles within the design process.
  • Strong understanding of rail and transit project delivery, including client drivers, governance, procurement approaches, and designbuild or alternative delivery methods.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, fostering collaboration, effective decisionmaking, and highquality design outcomes.
  • Experience managing the review, production and submission of high-quality deliverables across many disciplines in a large project environment.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with experience engaging clients, stakeholders, and project teams throughout the design and delivery lifecycle.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal.If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to ourTalent Communitywhere you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What we offer youย 

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together.ย 

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do. ย 

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. ย 

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm's financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your futureย 

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are availableย 

Seattle Hiring Range - Hiring Range - The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Seattle is $140,000 to $160,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Seattle will differ. ย 

Different People, Shared Valuesย 
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence. ย 
Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup. ย 

Our Application Processย 

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.ย 

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

Stay safe online. Recruitment fraud is on the rise, and Arup's name, logo, and branding have been used in fraudulent job advertisements. Arup will never ask for bank information as part of our recruitment process.ย 

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