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Design Manager Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Design Manager

Seattle, WA ยท On-site +1

$138K - $194K/yr

Manages the design deliverables for multiple, concurrent transportation sector project types. * Manages and supervises a team of design professionals and other professionals through the design review ...

Design Manager

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$138K - $194K/yr

Manages the design deliverables for multiple, concurrent transportation sector project types. * Manages and supervises a team of design professionals and other professionals through the design review ...

Project Design Manager

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$87K/yr

Job Title Project Design Manager Summary The Project Design Manager's role is to be the main point of contact for their assigned account(s), implement workplace strategy and standards, and provide ...

Experience Design Manager

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Manage design-related workstreams across multiple projects, coordinating timelines, decisions, and consultant deliverables. * Liaise with Porter Interiors on FF&E sourcing and specification ...

Manage and lead the Industrial Design team, design process and best practices while working cross-functionally within our New Product Development (NPD) community. * In this role you will lead and ...

Manage design-related workstreams across multiple projects, coordinating timelines, decisions, and consultant deliverables. * Liaise with Porter Interiors on FF&E sourcing and specification ...

Manage and lead the Industrial Design team, design process and best practices while working cross-functionally within our New Product Development (NPD) community. * In this role you will lead and ...

Experience Design Manager

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Manage design-related workstreams across multiple projects, coordinating timelines, decisions, and consultant deliverables. * Liaise with Porter Interiors on FF&E sourcing and specification ...

The Design Manager will support the leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary design teams on large rail projects, working closely with the project leadership, technical leads, contractor, and ...

Product Design Manager - Dashboard

Seattle, WA ยท On-site

$207K - $317K/yr

As a Product Design Manager on the Dashboard team, you will manage a multidisciplinary team of product designers and a researcher, leading design efforts across multiple product areas at Plaid. As a ...

Our team includes specialists in Product Design, Product Management, Engineering, Experience Design, Immersive Experiences, Visual Design, and Content Design. We partner closely with colleagues ...

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Design Manager information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$47.8K

$130.4K

$229.4K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Seattle, WA is $130,367.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,100.00 and $164,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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?

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.

Is a design manager a stressful job?

A design manager role can be stressful due to responsibilities such as overseeing creative teams, managing project deadlines, and balancing client expectations. The level of stress varies depending on company size, project scope, and workload, but strong organizational and communication skills help manage pressure effectively.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Seattle, WA? The most popular types of Design jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Design Manager jobs in Seattle, WA? For Design Manager jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Design Manager jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Design Manager jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Design Manager jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Design Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Design Manager job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,367 per year, or $62.7 per hour.

Design Manager

Cumming Group

Seattle, WA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$138K - $194K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

Our firm is currently looking for a dedicated Design Manager with experience in transportation including rail and light rail project types. The position will be located in Seattle, WA but has the opporunity to offer a hybrid or remote schedule. This role will be supporting multiple and concurrent State of Good Repair projects for Seattle's Sound Transit agency.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Manages the design deliverables for multiple, concurrent transportation sector project types.

  • Manages and supervises a team of design professionals and other professionals through the design review process.

  • Manages, develops, and coordinates the agency's design process for the A&E services to ensure that design plans are within functional program, budgetary, environmental and legal requirements.

  • Manages multiple projects through interaction with Architects, consultants, and agency personnel to ensure timely completion of these projects.

  • Oversees the design process to ensure compliance with standards and guidelines for the agency by working with design professionals and administrators to ensure that new and modernized structures meet building standards requirements.

  • Provides Architects with clear and consistent direction with regard to goals and objectives, standards, sites, schedules, and budgets for each project.

  • Establishes and follows an effective and efficient design review process to ensure that the design meets the overall goals and objectives for each project.

  • Provides maximum value for dollars budgeted, and are appropriate and enduring to meet the functional needs of the local community and the environment.

  • Reviews design changes submitted to ensure project remains within budget.

  • Monitors project planning and design status to report findings, recommendations and updates.

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

  • Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering. A master's degree in architecture or engineering is preferred.

  • A minimum of ten (10) years full time paid professional experience managing the design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects that included the overall design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling activities.

  • Eight (8) years of this experience should be with the design, planning and construction of transportation projects.

  • A valid Licensed Architect by the state of Washington is required.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

#LI-SV1

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group's policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.

All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time role is $138,600.00-$194,066.69 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. Cumming Group reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.

In addition to base salary, Cumming Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) Matching
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Holidays
  • Short and long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program