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Design Manager Jobs in Westbrook, ME (NOW HIRING)

CAD Director

Scarborough, ME ยท On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

You are ready to run a CAD group the way you always wished yours was run. If that's you, keep ... You sit down with project managers every week and stay ahead of what is coming. The relationship ...

CAD Director

Scarborough, ME ยท On-site

$100 - $130/hr

You are ready to run a CAD group the way you always wished yours was run. If that's you, keep ... You sit down with project managers every week and stay ahead of what is coming. The relationship ...

SUE Manager

Brunswick, ME ยท On-site

$76K - $123K/yr

Overview Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a SUE Manager to join our SUE Services team! Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is a branch of engineering that deals with mitigating risks ...

CAD Design Specialist

Wells, ME ยท On-site

$32.92 - $41.15/hr

Basic design work includes fit studies, tolerance studies, etc. * CADD support based on red lined ... Performs other assignments as directed by local management. * Interact and support other functional ...

Works closely with the design manager, project managers, superintendents, and foremen to provide deliverables in an efficient and effective manner Minimum Qualifications: * Good interpersonal, oral ...

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Design Manager information

See Westbrook, ME salary details

$42.7K

$116.4K

$204.9K

How much do design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for design manager in Westbrook, ME is $116,444.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,900.00 and $146,500.00 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 Westbrook, ME?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Westbrook, ME are:

What cities near Westbrook, ME are hiring for Design Manager jobs?

Cities near Westbrook, ME with the most Design Manager job openings:

CAD Director

Scarborough, ME โ€ข On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

You have been the one who catches the errors before they leave the office. You have redlined the same mistake on three different drafters' sheets and wondered why nobody wrote it down the first time. You have watched good people leave because no one taught them, no one coached them, and no one gave them a real seat at the table.

You are ready to run a CAD group the way you always wished yours was run.

If that's you, keep reading.

Why Work With Us

Tech Air is a mechanical and HVAC company built by people who care about the work leaving their hands. That sounds simple. In this trade, it is rare.

We hire for roots. We want people who plan to stay, who want to know their coworkers by name, and who take pride in a drawing set the field can build from without a single phone call back.

We give our leaders real authority. When you set a standard here, the standard holds. When you move a person or a priority, the move sticks. You will not be second-guessed by three layers above you every time you make a call.

We treat drafters as designers, not production line workers. That is the difference you will feel on day one, and it is the difference your team will feel every day after.

If a shop that respects the craft sounds like home, keep reading.

Please Don't Apply If
  • You lead by email and avoid the desks of the people who work for you.
  • You are more comfortable finishing the drawing yourself than teaching someone else to finish it right.
  • You go quiet when a senior person pushes back on a standard you set.
  • You patch the same mistake over and over rather than chasing the reason it keeps coming back.
  • You want a title more than you want a team.
  • You are looking for a stop on the way to somewhere else.
Our Ideal Applicant

You check in with each person on your team every day. Not a status ping. A real conversation, at their desk, about what they are working on and where they are stuck.

You give feedback in the moment and write down what you said. You believe a person deserves to know where they stand without waiting for a review cycle to find out.

You hold the standard when someone senior leans on you to bend it. You do it without heat, and you explain your thinking so the other person can follow the logic.

You know who on your team is behind this week without having to ask around. You reassign work before anyone has to raise a hand.

You raise a risk while there is still time to fix it. You would rather have a hard conversation on Monday than a worse one on Friday.

You take pride in work that holds up before anyone else looks at it. A review is a courtesy to the next person, not a safety net for your team.

You like watching a drafter grow into more than they were hired for. That is the part of the job you would do for free.

What You'll Be Responsible ForDrawings That Leave Correct the First Time

Every drawing gets a review before it leaves your group. Rework caused by an internal mistake is rare, and when it happens, you trace it to the root and fix it at the source.

The field and project teams build from what you send. They trust the numbers on the sheet because you earned that trust one drawing at a time.

Standards That Hold Across Every Project

You own the standards, the templates, and the conventions the whole group works from. A drafter moving from one job to the next finds the same playbook waiting for them.

When a standard needs to change, you make the change deliberately, communicate it clearly, and see the team adopt it cleanly. Output stays uniform across the group instead of drifting person by person.

Workload That Matches the Calendar

You read the schedule ahead. You move people to the jobs that need to move, and you resolve constraints before they stall a project. CAD hours stay close to plan because you watch the work weekly.

When a risk is bigger than the group can absorb, you bring it to leadership early with a clear picture of what is at stake.

Answers That Come Back the Same Day

Questions from the field and project teams get a response within a business day. The people waiting on your group keep moving because your group holds up its side of the exchange.

You sit down with project managers every week and stay ahead of what is coming. The relationship stays built on trust, not chased-down answers.

A Team That Grows and Stays

You lead through daily contact, regular coaching, and reviews finished on schedule. Your drafters know where they stand and where they are headed.

You give them real ownership in the design side of the work. That ownership is what they came for, and it is what keeps them here.

Sound like the seat you have been waiting for? Read on.

Qualifications

What will help you succeed here:

  • Seven or more years of CAD drafting experience in HVAC, mechanical, or construction environments.
  • Three or more years leading a CAD or drafting team, with more weight on how you lead people than on how deep you draft.
  • A track record of keeping a team together through daily contact, coaching, and reviews finished on schedule.
  • Advanced command of the CAD tools used in mechanical and HVAC construction.
  • Working knowledge of BIM coordination and how CAD output feeds the field and project workflows downstream.
  • Proven ability to own standards, templates, and pre-release quality control across concurrent projects.
  • Strong command of construction documents, shop drawings, and RFI workflows.
  • Local roots and a clear reason to stay in the area for the long haul.
  • Preferred: technical school, associate degree, or formal CAD training.
  • Preferred: a CAD or BIM certification.
Compensation and Benefits

Pay range is $100,000 to $130,000.

We are happy to walk you through the full benefits picture during the interview. Bring your questions.

If you want to lead a CAD group where the standard holds, the team stays, and the work leaves right the first time, this is your seat. Hit Apply and let's talk.