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Design Manager Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Aquent

Senior Materials Design Manager

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$45 - $50/hr

Jun 4, 2026 Senior Design Manager - Color & Materials (Footwear) We are seeking a highly creative and experienced Senior Design Manager to lead a dynamic Color & Materials team focused on footwear ...

Leidos

CAD Manager

Portland, OR · Hybrid

$59K - $106K/yr

Description We are in search of a CAD Manager to join our diverse and dynamic organization out of our Portland office. As a core team member of our Substation Section, you will be interacting with an ...

Leidos

CAD Manager

Portland, OR · Hybrid

$59K - $106K/yr

We are in search of a CAD Manager to join our diverse and dynamic organization out of our Portland office. As a core team member of our Substation Section, you will be interacting with an established ...

Leidos

CAD Manager

Portland, OR · On-site

$59K - $106K/yr

We are in search of a CAD Manager to join our diverse and dynamic organization out of our Portland office. As a core team member of our Substation Section, you will be interacting with an established ...

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All JobsDesign Manager JobsDesign Manager Jobs in Portland, OR

Design Manager information

See Portland, OR salary details

$44.5K

$121.4K

$213.7K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Portland, OR is $121,418.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,600.00 and $152,700.00 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 Portland, OR? The most popular types of Design jobs in Portland, OR are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Manager jobs in Portland, OR? For Design Manager jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Design Manager jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Design Manager job openings:
Design Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Design Manager job openings in Portland, OR as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $121,418 per year, or $58.4 per hour.
Preconstruction Design Manager

Preconstruction Design Manager

Hoffman Construction

Lake Oswego, OR • On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Description
The Design Manager will work within the Preconstruction department and will report to the respective project managers on the projects they support. They will work closely with the project designers, owners, and construction team to bridge the gap between design and construction. They will oversee and coordinate design efforts performed by 3rd party architects and engineers. Primary focus will be on Design/Build (DB), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Engineering/Procurement/Construction (EPC) construction delivery models. The Design Manager will also provide design guidance and interface on other project types to ensure that the architectural/engineering vision is not only technically sound but also executable within the constraints of the project budget and schedule.
Salary: $130,000 to $165,000 DOE
Essential Responsibilities:
  • On selected new projects, guide the owner/design/contractor team through a project chartering session to establish a shared mission statement and communication ground rules.
  • Build and sustain an open and trusting relationship with the design team. Be the conduit for program-level design progression, improvement & opportunities.
  • Lead and facilitate design milestone planning sessions to align the design deliverables with the construction schedule needs.
  • Organize and support design cluster work groups (CSA, MEP, ELIT) and support and participate throughout the design phase.
  • Lead and facilitate design document quality and constructability reviews (Using self and in-house SME's)
  • Guide Design-Build subcontract permitting by local AHJs (Ex, fire protection, Pipe supports, Stairs, etc.)
  • Review design for opportunities for Off-site Manufacturing (OSM) prefabrication, self-performed work, modularization, safety, and efficiency of construction. Work with Hoffman's OSM department to guide design packaging to support any modularization.
  • Monitor and manage design-related project risk
  • Evaluate and define design scope and responsibilities, including design assist, design build, and delegated design.
  • Engage with the owner throughout the design process to ensure all reasonable client expectations are being met or exceeded. Conduct a post-mortem of the design process with the team to identify wins and future opportunities.
  • Investigate local permitting process and work with AHJs to establish permitting strategies and design review durations. When possible, ensure AHJ can support model-based design reviews (in lieu of 2D flats).
  • Develop design change and decision-making process in conjunction with the Owner.
  • Ability to monitor and report on design progress, forecast upcoming design packages, and review and advise on future design package content.
  • Utilize current tools for tracking design decisions during preconstruction that create dashboards to track forecasted cost against budget.
  • Evaluate design model level of development (LOD) and align with construction deliverables.
  • Identify and propose to the construction team any possible construction efficiency strategies identified in response to the design content
  • Engage key trade partners as needed during the design process to provide trade design input for future deliverables
  • Guide in-house Power BI experts to develop and produce monthly design management status reports representing progress against schedule (PAS) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for design deliverables. Provide these reports to stakeholders monthly.
  • Work with our In-House QA/QC managers to identify potential failure points and propose associated Mock-ups or first-in-place reviews.
  • Identify the owner's sustainability goals and ensure compliance is integrated into design packages

Qualifications:
Professional Experience and Education
  • High School diploma or GED required.
  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture required (licensing not required).
  • A minimum of 5 years of construction and 5 years of design experience preferred.
  • Specific experience in industrial and/or hi-tech semiconductor manufacturing projects is preferred.
  • LEED Accreditation or the ability to become certified in 18-24 months preferred.
  • Experienced in coordinating and understanding multiple design scopes (Civil, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Process, etc.).
  • Experience in the delivery of large, complex projects
  • Experience in the design and construction workflow and interface

Position Related Skills
  • Emotional intelligence (EQ) to interface with the design team and owner to maintain strong relationships
  • Technical skills to discuss design deliverables and how that impacts our work (LOD, deliverable methods, file types, file sharing, etc)
  • Strong communication skills to maintain continuity between design team and the field construction team
  • Ability to report out on upcoming design changes and potential impacts to the program
  • Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams), and have a general understanding of working within a computer network.
  • Experience with project management software such as Prolog, Procore, E-Builder, Bluebeam, ACC.
  • Experience with design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks.
  • Proficient in design and construction document reading, design specifications, soils reports, etc.
  • Experience in organizing technical data neatly and accurately. Familiar with the CSI specification system for construction
  • Experience with field and office personnel management.
  • Highly developed visual observation and interpretation skills.
  • Ability to maintain a cooperative attitude through high-pressure situations.
  • Excellent time-management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize work.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Must be a strong team player with the ability to collaborate with various personnel within and across departments and at all levels of experience.
  • Work schedule must be flexible to allow extended hours or off-shift work to accommodate any critical project-related deliverables.
  • Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies, including scheduling tools (Primavera P6 & MS Project).
  • Self-starter who is proactive in finding issues and pushing towards resolutions

Physical and Mental Requirements:
  • Standing/Walking/Sitting: Workday is a combination of being stationary and moving about the work location.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and on active construction sites.
  • Must be able to climb stairs, ascend and descend ladders, and inspect confined or underground spaces.
  • Hands/Arms: Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.
  • Sight: Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus in an outdoor environment. Must be able to safely operate a vehicle with a valid driver's license. The work is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, reading print, and digital documents.
  • Hearing: Must be able to work in proximity to loud equipment more than 75% of the time. Must be able to wear hearing protection, as necessary. Often required to communicate with customers and co-workers in an office setting and on the job site.
  • Speech: Ability to communicate laws, ordinances, plans, regulations, protocols, directives, and standard operating procedures related to project scope in English.
  • Lift/Carry: Must have the ability to lift or manipulate fifty pounds to a height of three feet and carry or push it 50-100 feet.
  • Bending/Twisting: Frequent.
  • Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: Must be able to regularly position oneself in a kneeling, crouching, or crawling position for the purpose of examining project work.
  • Must be able to physically access all areas and levels of the construction site for work progress review.
  • Work schedule must be flexible to allow for extended hours or off-shift work to accommodate changing construction schedule and sequences.
  • Must use independent judgment, organizational, and critical thinking skills to determine the best method to accomplish desired results.

About Us
Build What Matters. Create What's Next.
Hoffman Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing builder specializing in technically complex, sustainable projects across advanced technology, mission critical, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, and commercial markets. Since 1922, we've grown from entrepreneurial roots into a multi-billion-dollar, employee-owned enterprise-now a dynamic family of companies with a national presence and a legacy of excellence.
At Hoffman Construction, your potential has room to grow. Whether you're on a jobsite or in a corporate office, you'll be empowered to take initiative, explore new paths, and shape the future of construction. We believe in building opportunity together-by unlocking talent, inspiring innovation, and driving forward the ideas that make a difference.
Join us and benefit from:
  • Competitive pay and advancement opportunities
  • Ongoing professional training and development
  • Comprehensive benefits-including free primary care for you and your family through our dedicated clinics, health insurance, paid time off, and a generous retirement plan.
  • A culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and respect.

We're hiring across all departments. Discover your future with us.
https://www.hoffmancorp.com/careers/
Application review will consider without limitation the following criteria: qualifications, education, and experience specific to the job description/duties as well as prior experience with Hoffman Construction. Applicants must be able to pass the Hoffman Drug and Alcohol test.
Hoffman Construction is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work being performed by employees. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities, duties, or skills required of the employee of this job. Furthermore, this description is subject to change at the discretion of the company, with or without notice.
**Please note, we are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. **

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