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Design Lead Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Design Lead

Minneapolis, MN

$106K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position can be based out of our Minneapolis, MN office. About Arch Key ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty trade installation and integrated ...

Engineering Design Lead

Minneapolis, MN

$107K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. About ProKey An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing mechanical ...

Engineering Design Lead

Plymouth, MN

$107K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. About ProKey An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing mechanical ...

Engineering Design Lead

Minneapolis, MN

$106K - $140K/yr

Engineering Design Lead This position can be based out of our Minneapolis, MN office. About ArchKey ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty trade installation and integrated ...

Engineering Design Lead

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$107K - $140K/yr

Description Engineering Design Lead This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. About ProKey An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing ...

Engineering Design Lead

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$106K - $140K/yr

Description Engineering Design Lead This position can be based out of our Minneapolis, MN office. About Arch Key ArchKey is one of the nation's largest privately held specialty trade installation and ...

$102K - $135K/yr

Responsible for creating the CAD data, according the inputs given by product engineering and customer data.Ensures that product designs consider:Design for assemblyDesign for manufacturingQuality ...

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Design Lead information

See Minnesota salary details

$38

$59

$80

How much do design lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for design lead in Minnesota is $59.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.67 and $70.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a design lead earn?

A design lead's average salary varies by location and experience but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. Senior design leads with extensive experience and strong leadership skills can earn higher compensation, especially in competitive markets or tech industries.

How does a Design Lead typically balance hands-on design work with team leadership responsibilities?

As a Design Lead, you'll often split your time between guiding and mentoring your team, setting the creative direction, and contributing directly to high-priority projects. While your leadership duties—such as conducting design reviews, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with business goals—will take up a significant portion of your schedule, most organizations still expect you to remain actively involved in the design process. This balance requires strong organizational skills and the ability to delegate effectively, ensuring both team growth and high-quality deliverables.

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

To thrive as a Design Lead, you need a solid background in design principles, user experience (UX), and visual communication, typically supported by a degree in design or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and knowledge of project management systems is crucial. Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills help you guide teams and articulate design vision effectively. These skills ensure projects are delivered with high-quality design, aligned with business goals, and foster innovation within teams.

What is the difference between Design Lead vs UX Designer?

AspectDesign LeadUX Designer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Graphic Design, or related fields; experience in leadership rolesBachelor's or Master's in Human-Computer Interaction, Psychology, or related fields; portfolio showcasing UX projects
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, collaborates with product managers and developers, oversees project directionFocuses on user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing within product teams
Industry UsageCommonly found in tech, advertising, and design agenciesPrimarily in tech companies, startups, and digital product firms

The main difference is that a Design Lead oversees the entire design process and team, providing strategic direction, while a UX Designer concentrates on creating user-centered experiences through research and design. Both roles require strong design skills, but the Design Lead has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

What kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

In media, roles such as senior art director, creative director, or multimedia director often earn $150,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience and leadership responsibilities. These positions typically require strong design skills, project management, and proficiency with industry tools like Adobe Creative Suite or video editing software.

What is the role of a design lead?

A design lead is responsible for guiding the visual and user experience aspects of a project, overseeing design teams, and ensuring that design standards and goals are met. They collaborate with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to create cohesive and effective designs, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. Strong leadership, communication, and design skills are essential for this role.

What is a Design Lead?

A Design Lead is a senior professional responsible for guiding the creative direction and execution of design projects within an organization. They oversee design teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure that visual and user experience standards are met. Design Leads often mentor junior designers, manage project timelines, and help align design strategies with business goals. Their role blends creative leadership with project management to deliver effective and innovative design solutions.

What is a lead designer?

A lead designer is a senior role responsible for guiding the overall design vision, managing design teams, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure cohesive and effective visual and user experience solutions. They often have strong skills in design tools, project management, and communication, and may oversee multiple projects or product features.
Infographic showing various Design Lead job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $122,741 per year, or $59 per hour.
Engineering Design Lead

$107K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Description

Engineering Design Lead
This position is based out of our Plymouth, MN office. 

About ProKey 

An ArchKey Solutions company, ProKey is an integrated facility services provider optimizing mechanical, electrical, technologies and specialty systems across the full asset lifecycle. Nationally located with strategic local teams positioned across the United States, our all-star team is committed to keeping your facility’s assets performing reliably and at peak efficiency.

About the position 

The Engineering Design Lead provides technical and people leadership to a team of engineers and designers delivering high-quality electrical engineering drawings, 3D models, and construction documents that support complex and challenging electrical installations, in alignment with all Company policies, procedures, key objectives and regulations. This role combines advanced engineering expertise, team leadership, and construction-focused problem solving to ensure designs are safe, code-compliant, fully constructible, and aligned with project goals. The Engineering Design Lead supports projects ranging from Design/Build efforts to some of the largest hyper-scale projects in the country. In addition to leading design execution, this role reviews internal and external engineering documents to identify constructability risks and value engineering opportunities, performs advanced engineering studies, and provides hands-on field support and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate brings deep technical knowledge, strong leadership capability, and a commitment to engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

Our Ideal Candidate 

  • Has a growth mindset and is always looking to continually learn and grow. 
  • Has strong knowledge of electrical acceptance testing 
  • NETA/NICET 
  • Has strong communication skills and ability to support field electricians.  

Day in the life 

  • .Leads and manages a small team of engineers and designers, overseeing the development of detailed electrical engineering permit drawings, 3D models, and construction installation documents to support field execution.
  • Leads and manages a small team of engineers and designers, overseeing the development of detailed electrical engineering permit drawings, 3D models, and construction installation documents to support field execution.           
  • Develops, reviews, and approves engineering calculations, studies, and reports including arc flash, short circuit, overcurrent protective device coordination, duct bank ampacity, load, lighting, and power factor correction.          
  • Serves as the primary engineering authority for project teams, providing technical direction, constructability guidance, and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Reviews and approves designs prepared by Electrical Engineers and Designers to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and company best practices.        
  • Leads technical review of outside engineering documents and supports value engineering, scope development, and constructability planning.       
  • Participates in electrical construction and design-related training.           
  • Enforces company engineering standards and maintains strict QA/QC procedures for all deliverables.          
  • Recommends improvements to design standards, workflows, and procedures. Responds to design questions, resolve issues, and issue plan revisions as required.
  • Stays current with new electrical and safety codes, materials, technologies, and industry best practices.     
  • Coordinates with field electricians to support data collection and implementation as needed.
  • Leads any size project from an engineering perspective, supporting estimating, scheduling, forecasting, and budget alignment.       
  • Monitors and guides the design activities of engineers and designers to achieve high performance in quality, productivity, and schedule adherence.           
  • Provides ongoing coaching, training, mentoring, and performance feedback.           
  • Coordinates and balances team workload across multiple projects to ensure design deliverables are completed on schedule and within scope.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of local building energy codes and standards (e.g., IECC, ASHRAE 90.1, California Title 24), including developing, reviewing, and coordinating drawings for energy code compliance, evaluating lighting fixtures and control systems for compliance, utilizing energy compliance software and processes, and advising project managers on compliance strategies and solutions.
  • Mentors and develops Electrical Engineers and Designers; supports licensure development and knowledge sharing across the organization.
  • Builds trusted relationships with customers, inspectors, vendors, and trade partners while representing the Company’s technical leadership and core values.     
  • Consistently makes decisions in an attentive and safe manner to ensure the safety and health of self and others.   
  • Utilizes LEAN concepts or other continuous improvement methodologies to ensure the most efficient operations, processes, and activities.        
  • Promotes and models the Company mission, vision and values through exercising sound and ethical business practices, championing all elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and providing high quality services and programs as they relate to clients, subcontractors, co-workers, suppliers, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications          

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent work experience in engineering, electrical design, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 9-10 years of applicable design engineering experience or 8 years with an electrical engineering degree and Professional Engineer (PE) license and demonstrated success leading engineering teams on small to mid-size projects.           
  • Extensive experience in facilities power design, including lighting, receptacle layouts, circuiting, panelboard schedules, load calculations, and equipment sizing.        
  • Experience in healthcare, heavy industrial, and/or data center projects is highly desirable. Controls experience is a plus.    
  • Advanced ability to read, interpret, and apply electrical contracts, plans, drawings, and specifications, with extensive knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and applicable building codes.
  • High proficiency in Revit, Autodesk tools, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office.
  • Experience performing engineering studies using SKM or ETAP is preferred.
  • Strong commitment to electrical construction, engineering excellence, and team leadership, with a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Proven experience supporting field electricians through all phases of construction, including troubleshooting and design clarification.    
  • Demonstrated experience proposing, scoping, and estimating engineering and design efforts.
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while managing competing priorities with strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Strong mathematical, analytical, and systems-level problem-solving skills.   
  • Demonstrated sound judgment, customer focus, and effective decision-making under pressure.        
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to lead teams and collaborate across disciplines. 

Salary

  • $107,000 – $129,000

Benefits

At ArchKey Solutions, our benefits package includes competitive health insurance options (medical, dental, and vision), a robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holidays, and access to wellness programs. Additionally, we offer professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and employee assistance programs to support your growth and well-being. We ensure that our benefits are designed to promote the health, security, and work-life balance of our employees. Additional information is available at Archkey.com. 

Legal & Fraud Disclaimer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. #MN70-5

Beware of fraudulent job postings. ArchKey Solutions only communicates through official channels. All official communication will come from an @archkey.com email address and we will never ask for financial information, payments, or personal details outside of the standard hiring process. To confirm the legitimacy of a job, visit our careers page or reach out to a member of our Talent Acquisition team.