Design Director Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

 WHO WE ARE: 

Teague is an independent design consultancy that combines technology expertise with a deep understanding of human behavior to design what's next for companies in automotive, commercial aviation, smart cities and infrastructure, advanced mobility, technology, space, and defense. On any given day, you might be prototyping a new space station, designing cutting-edge technology for off-road vehicles, or traveling around the world conducting research with airline passengers. We are approaching our one-hundred-year anniversary and are proudly employee-owned. Our culture fosters collaboration, accountability, and stability-because when we succeed, we all win. Come be a part of something bigger than just a job-build your career with an employee-owned company that invests in you! 

ABOUT THE ROLE:  

As a Design Director on Teague's UX team, you lead the creation of complex, information-rich software experiences, helping clients navigate ambiguity to define clear, usable products. Working at the intersection of UX, product strategy, and systems thinking, you guide teams through early-stage problem framing, research, and design for enterprise and mission-critical tools. You provide hands-on leadership across projects, facilitating workshops, aligning stakeholders, and elevating team output through strong critique and direction. You also contribute to business growth and mentor designers, maintaining a high bar for craft, collaboration, and impact. 

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:  

Travel expectations vary by project and client needs, typically averaging around 15-20% and including occasional short domestic trips for workshops, research, and key meetings. At times, this may involve multi-day or week-long onsite engagements during critical phases, with flexibility required as travel cadence can shift based on project demands. 

WHO YOU ARE:  

You are a design leader who thrives in complexity-comfortable guiding multiple engagements at once while maintaining a sharp focus on quality, clarity, and impact. You bring a strong point of view grounded in user needs, technical realities, and business goals, and you know how to translate that into thoughtful, well-crafted experiences. You're as skilled in shaping strategy as you are in guiding execution, leading teams through ambiguity with confidence and providing clear, actionable critique that elevates the work. You're energized by collaboration, partnering closely with cross-functional teams and clients to align around a shared vision and move ideas forward. 

You're also a strong communicator and storyteller, able to frame complex ideas in ways that are compelling, persuasive, and easy to understand. You lead by example-mentoring designers, fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous learning, and helping others grow into stronger practitioners and leaders. You're comfortable stepping into business development conversations, shaping proposals, and representing the work with credibility and passion. Above all, you care deeply about craft, team success, and delivering meaningful, high-impact design solutions. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO: 

OWNING 

• Leads multiple concurrent client engagements, with primary responsibility for design quality, UX rigor, and overall experience direction. 

• Serves as the senior design authority on complex software, systems, and service design projects, ensuring work is grounded in user needs, technical realities, and business objectives. 

• Provides active design leadership to teams-offering clear critique, guidance, and decision-making support throughout the lifecycle of a project. 

• Responsible for partnering closely with studio leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment, share direction, and ensure creative group success. 

• Holds and communicates a strong passion for design, offering unique insights that spark curiosity and drive excellence. 

• Champions continuous learning and professional growth across the creative team, ensuring readiness to meet future challenges. 

• Fosters a strong design culture and mentors rising leaders, including ongoing support and guidance for creative leads. 

• Consistently deliver on annual goals and performance objectives aligned with fiscal year priorities. 

THINKING 

• Drives strategic thinking across client engagements and project opportunities. Brings expertise in UX strategy and research to support design, product, and brand development. Skilled in developing user-centered perspectives, guiding UX teams of varying experience levels, and translating insights into persuasive design and business decisions. 

• Applies and adapts a range of design, research, and product methodologies, selecting the right approach for each client context rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all process. 

• Guides teams in developing and delivering compelling, cohesive rationale to clients, elevating the impact of our ideas through persuasive storytelling and strategic framing. 

• Amplifies Teague's thought leadership by contributing to speaking events, panels, and articles, offering bold and relevant perspectives that shape industry conversation. 

• Drives and facilitates decision-making via design reviews, critiques, workshops, and working sessions that strengthen quality of thinking and alignment. 

• Contributes to company-wide strategy discussions, offering recommendations that keep the creative function aligned with market trends, competitive shifts, and evolving business priorities. 

• Translates client challenges into strategic, actionable design solutions that support brand goals and business success. 

• Guides and contributes to internal conversations about best practices, tools, and approaches for complex UX and software design at Teague. 

DOING 

• Collaborates closely with the Business Development and Program Management teams to pursue new client and project opportunities. Plays a key role in shaping and pitching compelling proposals-bringing a strong point of view, crafting persuasive content, and developing accurate project estimates. Builds strong rapport with prospective clients and navigates the proposal process with confidence and professionalism. 

• Collaborates with Project Management and Business Development or Program Management leaders to guide projects from inception through execution. Understands team capabilities and works with PMs to assemble the right mix of talent. Actively adjusts team structure and project plans to maintain high-quality outcomes at every stage. 

• Infuses storytelling into every aspect of their work, backed by strong writing, speaking, and visual communication skills. Approaches presentations as high-impact performances, engaging clients and stakeholders with clarity, passion, and purpose. 

• Shapes and nurtures a high-performing creative environment. Ensures culture, tools, processes, and team dynamics align with Teague's brand and strategic priorities. 

• Ensures the creative function operates with clarity, efficiency, and effectiveness. Makes daily decisions that drive high-quality output and meaningful design impact. 

• Actively participates in the creative process, providing direction and inspiration as a trusted team leader. 

• Partners with Project Managers to keep schedules, deliverables, and budgets on track and ensures production feasibility throughout the process. 

WHAT YOU BRING: 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a design related field. 

• 10+ years of experience in design consulting, with a robust and diverse portfolio of impactful, multidisciplinary work. 

• 3+ years in a creative leadership role (e.g., Creative Director) within a consulting or agency environment. 

• Proven success leading cross-functional and ad hoc teams to deliver complex projects, driving outcomes through collaboration, influence, and direct leadership. 

• Experience balancing long-term strategic planning with day-to-day operational oversight. 

• Exceptional project framing skills; defining approach, deliverables, stages, process to ensure confidence within internal teams and with the client. 

• Recognized as a visionary leader and creative thinker who inspires teams and shapes industry conversations; a strong professional network in the airline or transportation sectors is a plus. 

• Exceptional relationship-building skills with people across all levels of an organization and from diverse cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 

• Deep understanding of the design process and operations, particularly in aviation, transportation, product development, and experience design. 

• Demonstrated fluency in both business and creative disciplines, with experience leading strategic initiatives that bridge design and organizational growth. 

• A consistent track record of delivering successful projects and cultivating long-term client relationships. 

• Respected voice in the design community, known for thought leadership, passion for craft, and meaningful contributions to industry conversations. 

• Well-versed in global design trends, with an understanding of related and emerging industries that influence the design landscape. 

• Strong grasp of brand and marketing strategies, including communications tactics and evolving technologies. 

• Experienced in business development and client engagement, with a talent for building trust and uncovering new opportunities. 

The salary range for this job in most US geographic locations is $185,000 - $200,000