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Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PCL Construction

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA

$183K - $237K/yr

Here's how a Design Manager for our California Buildings office contributes to our team: Responsibilities Manage team of architects, engineers, and other professionals (City Staff and Consultants) to ...

Owais Construction Group

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$170K - $185K/yr

Manage, develop, and coordinate the District's design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division to ensure that plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental and ...

OWAIS CONSTRUCTION GROUP

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$170K - $185K/yr

Manage, develop, and coordinate the Districts design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division to ensure that plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental and ...

Macro-Z Technology

Design Manager

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

As the Design Manager you will serve as a key leader within the Design Team, overseeing the full design process for assigned projects. This role is responsible for establishing the design strategy ...

PCL Construction

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA

$183K - $237K/yr

Here's how a Design Manager for our California Buildings office contributes to our team: Responsibilities • Manage team of architects, engineers, and other professionals (City Staff and Consultants ...

Kforce Technology Staffing

Design Manager

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

Kforce has a client that is seeking a Design Manager in Hawthorne, CA. Summary: Our client is looking for a highly skilled Design Project Manager who is passionate about our mission to join our North ...

PCL Construction

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$183K - $237K/yr

Here's how a Design Manager for our California Buildings office contributes to our team: Responsibilities • Manage team of architects, engineers, and other professionals (City Staff and Consultants ...

PCL Construction

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA

$183K - $237K/yr

Here's how a Design Manager for our California Buildings office contributes to our team: Responsibilities • Manage team of architects, engineers, and other professionals (City Staff and Consultants ...

Pacific Pros

LAWA Design Manager III

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$153K - $180K/yr

Vision insurance Pacific Pros is seeking Design Manager III for Construction Projects to be a representative for Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA). Work Location: LAWA has required the candidates be ...

Apple

Workplace Design Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

The Design Manager will lead the design vision on given projects from conception to completion. Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Industrial Design, or a related field 10+ years of proven design ...

Pacific Pros

LAWA Design Manager III

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$153K - $180K/yr

Vision insurance Pacific Pros is seeking Design Manager III for Construction Projects to be a representative for Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA). Work Location: LAWA has required the candidates be ...

Apple

Workplace Design Manager

San Jose, CA

$175K - $263K/yr

Description The Design Manager will lead the design vision on given projects from conception to completion.","responsibilities":"Guide design direction, timely decision making, and all detailing for ...

DMG MORI USA, INC

Engineering Design Manager

Davis, CA · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

The Engineering Design Manager (Machine Design Manager) will lead a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to design and develop advanced Laser Powder Bed Fusion ...

CoreSite

Design Manager (Remote)

Santa Clara, CA · Remote

$120K - $135K/yr

The Manager coordinates design timelines, deliverables from internal and external stakeholders, scope changes, and associated budgets under the direction of the Vice President of Development & Design.

CoreSite

Design Manager (Remote)

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$120K - $135K/yr

The Manager coordinates design timelines, deliverables from internal and external stakeholders, scope changes, and associated budgets under the direction of the Vice President of Development & Design.

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All JobsDesign Manager JobsDesign Manager Jobs in California

Design Manager information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in California is $112,992.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Design Manager in Construction Do?

A design manager oversees a design team during a project and typically works in the construction and architecture industries. As a design manager, you may work for specialty companies that contract out to construction firms on a per-project basis. Or, you may spend your career working as an in-house design manager for a construction company or architect firm. Regardless of the location of your job as a design manager, your duties revolve around supervising the design of a building project and include adhering to legislation and codes, eliminating safety and financial risks, and advising clients during development.

How does a Design Manager typically balance creative vision with project deadlines and client expectations?

A Design Manager is responsible for guiding their team's creative direction while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. This often means carefully prioritizing tasks, setting clear milestones, and communicating regularly with clients and stakeholders to manage expectations. They serve as a bridge between creative teams and project managers, helping to resolve conflicts and maintain a productive workflow. By fostering open collaboration and providing constructive feedback, Design Managers help ensure both the creative vision and practical project requirements are met.

What is the highest paying job in design?

The highest paying roles in design often include Creative Directors, UX Directors, or Design Directors, especially in large corporations or tech companies. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools and strategic planning, with salaries reaching six figures or more annually.

How much does a design manager earn?

A design manager's average salary varies by location and experience but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. Factors such as industry, company size, and skill level in design tools and leadership influence compensation.

What does a designer manager do?

A design manager oversees the design team and guides the development of visual concepts for products, branding, or marketing. They coordinate projects, ensure design quality, and collaborate with other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential for this role.

What are Design Managers?

Design Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the design process within a project or organization. They coordinate and lead design teams, ensure design objectives align with business goals, and manage timelines, budgets, and resources. Design Managers often act as a bridge between creative teams and other departments, facilitating communication and ensuring that the final product meets both aesthetic and functional requirements. Their role can span across industries such as architecture, graphic design, product design, and digital media.

What is the difference between Design Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesign ManagerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, management experienceBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projectsCreates visual content, works independently or in teams
Industry UsageUsed in corporate, agency, and studio settingsCommon in advertising, publishing, branding

The main difference between a Design Manager and a Graphic Designer lies in their responsibilities and scope. Design Managers oversee design teams and strategic project planning, while Graphic Designers focus on creating visual content. Both roles require relevant design credentials, but Design Managers also need leadership experience. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

To thrive as a Design Manager, you need a strong background in design principles, project management, and leadership, typically supported by a degree in design or a related field and several years of design experience. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Asana or Trello is essential. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively leading creative teams, delivering high-quality design outcomes, and meeting client or organizational goals.

What is the role of a design manager?

A design manager oversees the design team and guides the development of visual concepts, ensuring projects meet client or company standards. They coordinate with other departments, manage timelines, and often use design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills are essential for this role.
More about Design Manager jobs
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 Manager jobs in California? For Design Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Design Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Design Manager job openings:
Design Manager jobs near you
Design Manager

Design Manager

PCL Construction

Los Angeles, CA

$183K - $237K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

PCL Construction rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The future you want is within reach.

At PCL, we build the places where life happens and find camaraderie in the process. We're a community of builders committed to building better communities. That's why we're always looking ahead, and not just to the next project or what's next in our industry.

We're also looking at what's next for you and how we can help you build a career you're proud of.

Here's how a Design Manager for our California Buildings office contributes to our team:

Responsibilities

   Manage team of architects, engineers, and other professionals (City Staff and Consultants) to guide the design, permitting, and construction-procurement 
   Coordinate with internal & external stakeholders to align the project design documents with the project objectives and stakeholder expectations 
   Manage and coordinate the Development of the design-alternatives and comparative analysis to address requests and/or concerns from leadership and/or project stakeholders throughout the design process.
   Review design submittals for completeness, accuracy, and conformance to the applicable project requirements, and provide critical & constructive feedback to the design team. This may include reviewing & commenting on conformance to applicable codes & regulations, industry standards, and unique owner performance requirements. 
   Solicit feedback from internal and external project stakeholders, and guide design teams through competing interests and project constraints to ensure the best possible design-outcomes with respect to quality, cost, schedule, sustainability, resiliency, innovation, use-experience, constructability, operational flexibility, maintainability, etc. 
   Manage design efforts throughout all stages of a project (Project Definition, Concept Design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Administration) to ensure that projects remain on schedule and on budget. 
   Facilitate smooth transitions as projects advance from planning through design, procurement, construction, and activation. 
   Prepare the design team for presentation and submissions.
   Detailed understanding of the Technical Provisions to ensure all requirements and commitments are being met, but not exceeded unnecessarily.
   Communicate review timeframes for submission and presentation to ensure draft documents are ready for review by the PCL team in advance of due dates.

Qualifications

   15+ years of experience in managing the design of large, complex projects with the Progressive Design Build delivery model.
   15+ years of experience in design 
   Knowledge of local building codes & permitting requirements is a plus.
   Knowledge of current industry regulations and standards, including codes & publications from FAA, CBP, TSA, IATA, ACI, ACRP, AAAE, etc. 
   Experience with the public sector, fostering teamwork and collaboration, and coordinating stakeholder interests. 
   Willing to take ownership for success/failure of area of responsibility.
   Self-starter, comfortable with taking initiative.
   Demonstrated abilities in managing a multi-disciplined team.
   Excellent written and oral skills including ability to communicate complex issues to a non-technical audience.

PCL is an innovative, employee-owned company comprised of people who find passion in their profession and take pride in doing great work every day. Our work powers the infrastructure and utilities that are essential to daily life and our projects are the scene of vacations, careers, education and healing. We are consistently ranked among the best companies to work for because we are committed to supporting and developing our teams.
The PCL Companies celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating equitable opportunities and an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We make employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or veteran status.
PCL combines numerous pay and benefit strategies to provide a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package. Any salary range displayed by a job board is an estimate. Your salary, which considers your unique qualifications and experience, is just one component of the robust total rewards you'll enjoy at PCL. This may include an employee share purchase offering, discretionary annual performance bonus, comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, retirement plan plus matching, and career development programs.  

The salary range for this position is between $183,000 and $237,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.


Should you require an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at careers@pcl.com with the position and location you are interested in.
Together, we can build success and a better future. Let's get started! 

Employee Status: Regular Full-Time   

Company: PCL Construction Services, Inc. 

Primary Location: Los Angeles, California 

Job: Design Manager

Requisition: 10211  

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