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Design Manager Jobs in Rochester Hills, MI (NOW HIRING)

Engineering Manager, Design QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor of science in engineering, engineering technology or equivalent. * Strong background using Catia and Teamcenter. * Strong background in CAD ...

Engineering Manager, Design QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor of science in engineering, engineering technology or equivalent. * Strong background using Catia and Teamcenter. * Strong background in CAD ...

UI/ UX Manager

Detroit, MI

$115K/yr

Phone face 2 face Qualifications: 5+ years of interactive design direction experience with 2+ years experience as an administrative lead/manager MFA, BA or BS in areas such as interactive design ...

Senior Director, Technical Design

Dearborn, MI ยท On-site

$142K - $175K/yr

Establish and manage the annual operating budget to support growth, profitability, and operational efficiency. * Own the seasonal technical design process, calendar, workflow and governance to ...

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Design Manager information

See Rochester Hills, MI salary details

$38.7K

$105.4K

$185.5K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Rochester Hills, MI is $105,383.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,900.00 and $132,500.00 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Rochester Hills, MI? The most popular types of Design jobs in Rochester Hills, MI are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Manager jobs in Rochester Hills, MI? For Design Manager jobs in Rochester Hills, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Rochester Hills, MI are hiring for Design Manager jobs? Cities near Rochester Hills, MI with the most Design Manager job openings:
Prototype Engineering Design Manager

Prototype Engineering Design Manager

Ford Motor Company

Dearborn, MI โ€ข On-site

$115K - $218K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description


We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
Join us in shaping the future of Ford Motor Company, as part of a global organization with exceptional colleagues in world-class facilities. As part of Ford Design, you'll be at the cutting edge of Ford's most strategically critical work, designing people and society's needs into the heart of our next generation of products, services, and experiences.
In this position...
As a Prototype Engineering Design Manager you will lead a team of product engineering designers tp bring concepts to life in the form of functional high-fidelity prototypes. Leveraging your expertise in automotive design and/or engineering you will have the opportunity to see the future of Ford firsthand and play a pivotal role in the early-stage development of the next generation of Ford vehicle content and experiences. This role requires a deep understanding of automotive systems and subsystems, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage complex projects from conception to completion.
Responsibilities
What you'll do...
  • Lead a team to engineer / design prototypes which include:
    • Show / Concept / Pre-Production vehicles
    • Interior and exterior systems (Ex: Lighting, Closures, Instruments Panels, Consoles, Seats)
    • Interior and exterior components (Ex: Buttons, nobs and switches)
    • Interior and exterior clay model armatures
  • Support the development of prototype build plans, lead the team through delivering data on time and with quality
  • Work collaboratively with design, engineering, marketing and program teams to align on scope of work, build timing and budget - managing those throughout the prototype build cycle
  • Leverage background in automotive systems and subsystems to identify and document design and engineering feasibility concerns and support the identification of robust solutions.
  • Identify areas of opportunity and process efficiencies and action those as appropriate
  • Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously improve prototypes.

Qualifications
You'll have...
  • Bachelors degree in engineering, design, or equivalent
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment
  • 5+ years of experience working in automotive engineering and/or design with a strong understanding of vehicle level systems and subsystems
  • 5+ years of experience leading complex projects and project teams - leveraging program management tools as appropriate
  • 5+ years of experience leveraging prototype manufacturing techniques to build high fidelity prototypes such as additive manufacturing (3D Printing), milling, fiberglass layups, clay modeling, etc.
  • 5+ years of experience with design / PLM software such as Catia, 3DX, Teamcenter, Alias etc.
  • 5+ years of experience working collaboratively with design, engineering, product marketing and program management
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Even better, you may have...
  • Masters degree in design, engineering or equivalent
  • 5+ years of experience in prototype software design and development, with a focus on prototyping and rapid iteration.
  • Fluent in various CAD software such as Catia, Rhino, Alias, etc.
  • Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, or other advanced technologies.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
  • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
  • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
  • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
  • Tuition assistance
  • Established and active employee resource groups
  • Paid time off for individual and team community service
  • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
  • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #DesignTeam #LI-DP1

Ford logo

About Ford

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow's transportation.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

Doral, FL, US

Year founded

1982