ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Design Contractor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Adrian Steel Company

Design Engineer

Adrian, MI · On-site

... contractors to name a few.We pride ourselves on respect, contribution, stability, and compensation to foster a long-lasting relationship that puts Adrian Steel on the market as an employer of choice.

ecojiva LLC

Be Seen First

Solar Design Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Calculations & design for PV systems - roof and ground mount systems, AC/DC electrical design, DC ... contractors to foster an environment of superior coordination. * Good problem solving and critical ...

ecojiva LLC

Be Seen First

Solar Design Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Calculations & design for PV systems - roof and ground mount systems, AC/DC electrical design, DC ... contractors to foster an environment of superior coordination. * Good problem solving and critical ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDesign Contractor JobsDesign Contractor Jobs in Michigan

Design Contractor information

See Michigan salary details

$36.6K

$99.8K

$175.6K

How much do design contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for design contractor in Michigan is $99,790.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,800.00 and $125,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design contractor?

Design contractors are professionals or firms hired on a temporary or project basis to provide design services, such as graphic design, interior design, web design, or architectural planning. Unlike full-time employees, design contractors typically work independently or through an agency, managing their own schedules and clients. They collaborate with businesses or individuals to deliver creative solutions tailored to project needs. Their responsibilities may include conceptualizing ideas, creating drafts, and refining designs based on client feedback.

What types of projects does a design contractor typically work on, and how do they collaborate with clients and other team members?

Design Contractors often work on a diverse range of projects, including branding, web design, product packaging, or interior layouts, depending on their area of expertise. They usually collaborate closely with clients to understand project goals and requirements, and may also coordinate with other professionals such as copywriters, developers, or project managers to ensure a cohesive outcome. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as project scopes and client preferences can change during the process. Design Contractors typically juggle multiple projects at once, making time management and organization essential skills for success.

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

To thrive as a Design Contractor, you need strong design fundamentals, portfolio-quality experience, and often a relevant degree or certification in graphic, interior, or industrial design. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, or SketchUp is typically expected. Excellent communication, time management, and client collaboration skills set standout contractors apart. These skills and qualities are crucial to delivering creative solutions on time and meeting client expectations in a competitive, project-based environment.

What is the difference between Design Contractor vs Interior Designer?

AspectDesign ContractorInterior Designer
CredentialsVaries; often no formal certification requiredTypically requires certification or degree in interior design
Work EnvironmentOn-site construction projects, renovation sitesResidential and commercial interior spaces, client consultations
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, independent contractorsDesign firms, independent interior designers

While both roles involve design work, a Design Contractor primarily manages construction and implementation, whereas an Interior Designer focuses on aesthetic and functional interior spaces. The roles often overlap but serve different project phases and client needs.

Design Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Contractor job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,790 per year, or $48 per hour.

Engineer or Senior Officer, Signals and Communication Design

Pontiac, MI

Canadian National Railway Company
Rail Transportation • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Canadian National Railway Companyexternal

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design and modify signal circuits for railway Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) and crossing infrastructure projects.

  • Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to ensure project design, material procurement, and project progress meet standards and requirements.

  • Provide technical support for the installation and maintenance of crossing warning systems and signal design functions.

Canadian National Railway rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you're part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely-helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

Job Summary

The Engineer or Senior Officer, Signals and Communication Design is responsible for Signal Design and is in charge of modifying existing or designing new signal circuits for railway Centralized Traffic Control (CTC). The role is accountable for all aspects of safe and effective design of circuits, hardware and software for highway crossing and wayside signalling projects with focus specifically on the crossing infrastructure design, estimating and material logistics. Furthermore, the role understands and applies all government standards and regulations per published documents and to meet location-specific requirements. 

Main Responsibilities Project Design and Estimating 

       Perform the role of primary engineer for signal design projects, including handling and controlling project budgets, schedules, and quality

       Perform the role of principal design checker for in-house and contractor circuit design

       Develop overall design concepts for projects and monitor progress of signal design contractors

       Coordinate with wiring vendors with work order requests for Signals and Communication (S&C) projects

       Work with the S&C material coordinators to ensure approved work orders are converted to Purchase Orders (POs) as well as all other supporting crossing material is being processed and ordered as required

Field and Technical Support 

       Provide field and technical support to install and maintain crossing warning systems functions within the railway

       Act as a technical resource for other department personnel in the area of signal design for installation and construction functions within the railway

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday with intermittent periods of overtime. The role is partially performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions and requires being available on-call 24/7 to respond to critical incidences. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure and manage stress. The role requires minimal travel (10%) within the assigned territory.

Requirements Experience

       Between 3 to 5 years of experience in the following areas:

o   Designing or testing signal circuits for CTC, interlocking and highway-railway grade cross warning system locations as well as estimating signal design projects

o   Scheduling and reviewing projects to ensure they meet government regulations, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association (AREMA) and CN's S&C standards

o   Programming logic controllers using Boolean or Ladder logic

o   Computer aided drafting software (CAD) and Bentley MicroStation CONNECT Edition and Microsoft Project

Education/Certification/Designation

       Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Computer, Electrical, Electronic, Systems Engineering or Engineering Technology

Competencies

       Communicates with impact

       Applies critical thinking

       Knows the business and stays current on industry needs

       Demonstrates agility and drives change

       Considers environmental impacts in every decision and action

       Identifies potential safety and security risks

       Collaborates with others and shares information

Technical Skills/Knowledge

       Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)

       Knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) or Transport Canada (TC) standards, rules, and regulations

       Knowledge of AREMA railway standards and recommendations

What Canadian National Railway employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply