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Design Manager Jobs in Carmichael, CA (NOW HIRING)

As a Substation Design Manager in an established Power Delivery practice, you'll draw upon your broad technical knowledge and experience in design and construction of high voltage substation projects ...

Design Manager (Substation Engineering)

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$130K - $167K/yr

As a Substation Design Manager in an established Power Delivery practice, you'll draw upon your broad technical knowledge and experience in design and construction of high voltage substation projects ...

This position reports directly to the Design Manager. CAREER ADVANCEMENT: Career advancement at Construction Innovations is possible with all positions, but is not guaranteed. Advancement could be ...

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Design Manager information

See Carmichael, CA salary details

$45.6K

$124.4K

$219K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Carmichael, CA is $124,424.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,700.00 and $156,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design manager?

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 does a design manager 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a design manager?

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.

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 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 degree do you need to be a design manager?

A design manager typically holds a bachelor's degree in design, graphic design, industrial design, or a related field. Many also pursue a master's degree or additional certifications to enhance their skills and qualifications for leadership roles in design teams.

What does a design manager earn?

A design manager's salary varies depending on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 annually. They often oversee design teams, coordinate projects, and use tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software, with higher salaries generally associated with larger companies or senior roles.

What is the highest paying career in design?

In design, executive roles such as Creative Director or Design Director tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially in large corporations or agencies. Specialized fields like UX/UI design, product design, and design consulting can also offer high compensation, particularly with extensive experience and advanced skills in tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Carmichael, CA?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Carmichael, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in Carmichael, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in Carmichael, CA are:

What cities near Carmichael, CA are hiring for Design Manager jobs?

Cities near Carmichael, CA with the most Design Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Manager job openings in Carmichael, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,424 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

Integrated Design Manager

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Sacramento, CA

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


McCarthy Building Companies rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

McCarthy is looking for a Design Manager in the Sacramento Area. The Design Manager is responsible to ensure successful delivery of McCarthy projects by managing the design process and participants. Participants include the design team(s) and subcontractors when projects utilize design build, design assist or other alternate delivery methods. This position requires proactive management of the design process with all parties ensuring coordinated documents that support the project goals for: Quality, Cost, Scope and Execution.
The Design Manager will also be responsible to coordinate the resolution of design issues which occur during the course of construction, typically in a field related role.
RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Design Management
  • Define, schedule and monitor design deliverables on projects that include design build or other alternate forms of delivery.
  • Monitor quality and timeliness of design deliverables to all parties.
  • Coordinate all design document packaging strategies with McCarthy Project team.
  • Interface with Project teams, internal and external, to develop expectations for content of design documents at various stages of design, to establish content quality and to define key milestones/metrics to verify expectations will be met.
  • Inform McCarthy project team and other project participants of design status, design quality and liabilities related to design.
  • Review design progress to prevent cost and scope creep. 
  • Manage all conflicts within the documents during all periods of the design phase to successful resolution for all parties.
  • Manage the RFI (design Issues) process for communication of questions and answers between the Owner and the design team.
  • Manage the file management system for document control.
  • Host and manage Value Analysis sessions as needed to look for cost effective details and material selections to maintain or improve the project budget or GMP.
  • Become knowledgeable of all building codes (Including federal requirements if applicable) related to project. Monitor document development to ensure codes are incorporated into the design.
  • Ensure that the project specifications meet the requirements of the project for compliance with local and federal regulations.  Coordinate specifications and drawings to ensure requirements of each are properly coordinated. Ensure Owner program, design standards and expected outcomes are incorporated into the design.
  • Coordinate with Owner vendors (such as equipment) to ensure requirements for Owner’s vendors are incorporated.
  • Coordinate proposal submissions with BUL and Division Marketing to the extent required.
  • Develop RFP’s for design firm responses or design build/ design assist subcontractor responses
  • Prepare designer and subcontractor Scopes of Work. Coordinate design services between firms to ensure no gaps in design services.
  • Coordinate contract terms and conditions with McCarthy team.
  • Coordinate responsibilities for BIM and develop workflows to support the use of BIM.
  • Coordinate Co-location requirements for projects that Co-Locate.
  • Coordinate with McCarthy team all preconstruction budgets and construction budgets. Ensure that any changes to the budgets are clearly communicated to the team via a Trend Log.
  • Develop plan to monitor design based on target budget(s) or systems budget(s) for construction.
  • Coordinate with Owner all permits for construction. Develop relationship with permit agency (ies) to ensure all permits are in place to allow for construction.
  • Coordinate with Owner all utility services for project. Inform Owner of utility encumbrances, timing and design to ensure un-interrupted construction operations.
  • Become familiar with project development agreements as they apply, to ensure work performed by McCarthy is in conformance to these agreements. Advise client and project participants as required regarding development agreements.
  • Coordinate with the McCarthy team initial budgets, GMP’s or Lump Sum values for Subcontractors performing Design Build or Design Assist services. Coordinate estimate updates with McCarthy team. Become familiar with all scopes and budgets to ensure a coordinated approach to estimating and design monitoring /scope monitoring.
  • Develop initial Scope of Work for Design Phase Services with project team to ensure no gaps.
  • Monitor design between estimate updates to report, review and determine corrective course(s) of action required to maintain or lower the overall budget.
  • Coordinate / Integrate overall design deliverables, and construction schedules with project staff.
  • Develop internal costs and metrics to inform team on design direction and cost comparisons for design.
  • Develop BIM execution plan for project with BIM Manager.
  • Update McCarthy procedures (Precon, Field, etc…) to incorporate best Design Management techniques
  • Present Design Management training at various Division training opportunities such as Project Manager Training, Project Superintendent Training, and Management Development Program Training.
Quality Program Implementation
  • Oversee Implementation of McCarthy Quality program and procedures, verifying critical quality elements are incorporated into the Design Documents and are part of the Construction Activities.
  • Participate in McCarthy Quality program site audits and reporting.
  • Review Claims & Latent Defects.
Other
  • Build effective and strong relationships with Risk Management/Legal.
  • Build effective and strong relationships with Executive Management/Business Unit Leaders/Key Division Management.
  • Build effective and strong relationships with Key Owners/Architects/Engineers.
  • Document Lessons Learned and Best Practices.

QUALIFICATIONS
 
  • 10+ years experience in management positions managing and coordinating Design disciplines
  • BS in Engineering or Architecture required. MS preferred   Good verbal and written communication.
  • Excellent facilitator capabilities.
  • Good understanding of the technical aspects of all building systems.
  • Process oriented. 
  • Proven experience working in the design phase of a project.
  • Ability to direct the design team to positive outcomes for the project.
  • Focus on Key Design and Quality Process Characteristics (Define the End Goal, Work Done Right the First Time, Each Individual is Responsible, Verification - Not Inspection, Long-Term Focus, and Improved Results in Design Document Quality). Not Focused on Just Completing Checklists or Writing Plans.
  • Understands design, construction, operations and legal perspective of design.
  • Hands-on field experience in design and construction.
  • Enjoys training others.
  • Team builder.
  • Specific technical expertise in building enclosures or MEP systems is desirable.
  • Good computer skills, including proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and software programs (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Access, Revit, Navisworks, QTO, etc.).
  • Professional Engineer or Registered Architect preferred.
  • History of Affiliations with Professional Organizations preferred (i.e. AIA, CSI, ASHRAE, etc.).

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
 
For Sacramento location only, the salary range for this position is: $120,000-$160,000, depending on location. This does not include possible bonus and other benefits which can impact total compensation. Compensation offered may vary based on work location, experience, qualifications, specialty, training, and market and business considerations, among other factors.  

NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: McCarthy’s Talent Acquisition Team is the only authorized representative permitted to engage with external search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting partners. McCarthy maintains an Approved Agency List for recruiting partners, which is reviewed and updated annually.
McCarthy will only consider submissions from agencies with a signed fee agreement in place for the current year. McCarthy does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or referrals from agencies that do not meet these requirements.
If a candidate is submitted without an active agreement, McCarthy will have no obligation to pay any fees and reserves the right to contact, engage, interview, or hire such candidate(s) without any financial or other responsibility to the submitting agency. Unsolicited resumes, including those sent directly to hiring managers or other employees, will be considered the property of McCarthy.

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About McCarthy Building

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

McCarthy Building, headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, US, is a leading construction company primarily offering general contracting, design-build and construction management services throughout the United States. Its prominent industry presence can be explored in detail on its official website, mccarthy.com. Founded in 1864, the company has built a robust legacy marked by significant contributions to the U.S. construction industry. McCarthy Building engages a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, commercial, renewable energy, and advanced technology.

Industry

Construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1864

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