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Design Professional Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

This intermediate role is ideal for a design professional with a strong design sensibility, expertise in materials, finishes, furnishings, and a passion for design excellence. As a key member of the ...

This intermediate role is ideal for a design professional with a strong design sensibility, expertise in materials, finishes, furnishings, and a passion for design excellence. As a key member of the ...

This intermediate role is ideal for a design professional with a strong design sensibility, expertise in materials, finishes, furnishings, and a passion for design excellence. As a key member of the ...

We are seeking an experienced, collaborative, and detail orientated design professional with a passion for workplace design to join our team as a Design Manager to oversee and manage design related ...

Workplace Design Manager

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$178.80 - $268.40/hr

We are seeking an experienced, collaborative, and detail orientated design professional with a passion for workplace design to join our team as a Design Manager to oversee and manage design related ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Function as the lead design professional in the Design Department providing quality review, implementation of policy and procedures and interface and coordinate with the Division of State Architects ...

Showing results 41-60

Design Professional information

See California salary details

$79.4K

$137.5K

$180.1K

How much do design professional jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for design professional in California is $137,543.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,200.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design professional?

Design Professionals are individuals trained and skilled in creating visual concepts, plans, and solutions across various disciplines such as architecture, graphic design, interior design, and industrial design. They work to combine aesthetics, functionality, and user needs to develop effective designs for products, spaces, or communications. Design Professionals often collaborate with clients and other stakeholders to bring creative ideas to life, ensuring that projects meet both practical requirements and artistic standards.

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

To thrive as a Design Professional, you need a solid background in design principles, creativity, and a relevant degree or certification in fields like graphic, interior, or industrial design. Proficiency in industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, or SketchUp is typically required. Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities set outstanding design professionals apart. These competencies ensure the creation of innovative, functional, and visually compelling solutions that meet client needs and project objectives.

What are some common challenges design professionals face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Design Professionals often collaborate with engineers, marketers, and project managers, which can present challenges such as aligning diverse perspectives, balancing creative vision with technical constraints, and managing feedback from multiple stakeholders. Effective communication and adaptability are essential for ensuring that design solutions meet both aesthetic goals and functional requirements. Building strong relationships within the team and proactively seeking feedback helps navigate these challenges and contributes to successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Design Professional vs Interior Designer?

AspectDesign ProfessionalInterior Designer
CredentialsVaries; may include certifications, licenses, or degrees in design-related fieldsTypically requires a degree in interior design and certification (e.g., NCIDQ)
Work EnvironmentArchitectural firms, design consultancies, construction projectsResidential, commercial interior spaces, showrooms
Industry UsageBroader; includes various design disciplines like landscape, industrial, interiorSpecialized in interior spaces and decor

Design Professionals encompass a wide range of design roles, including interior design, architecture, and landscape design. Interior Designers focus specifically on creating functional and aesthetic interior spaces. While both may work in similar environments and require related credentials, Design Professionals have a broader scope, whereas Interior Designers specialize in interior spaces.

What are 20 careers in design professional?

A design professional can pursue careers such as graphic designer, interior designer, industrial designer, fashion designer, web designer, UX/UI designer, landscape architect, multimedia artist, product designer, visual merchandiser, set designer, exhibition designer, packaging designer, furniture designer, branding specialist, fashion stylist, CAD technician, art director, creative director, and design educator. These roles often require proficiency with design software, creativity, and relevant certifications or degrees. Opportunities exist across industries including advertising, entertainment, architecture, and technology.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Design jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Design Professional jobs?

Cities in California with the most Design Professional job openings:

Infographic showing various Design Professional job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,543 per year, or $66.1 per hour.

Senior Design Manager

MAAS Companies

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

The Work
LAUSD's School Upgrade Program modernizes campuses across the nation's second-largest school district. As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects, and interfacing directly with the Division of the State Architect (DSA).
You manage the District's design process end to end: you recommend architect assignments from the pre-qualified list, give architects clear direction on goals, standards, site, schedule, and budget, run an effective design review process, and see projects from conception through final review, approval, and handoff to Project Execution. You keep plans inside functional, budgetary, environmental, and legal requirements, and you review design changes so projects stay on budget.
You coordinate with District branches including Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services, Maintenance and Operations, the School Occupancy Transitional Unit, the Asbestos Technical Unit, and Local Districts, and you represent the design program in community outreach.
What You Will Own
โ€ข Design leadership for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects
โ€ข The District's design process for the Facilities Planning and Development Division
โ€ข Architect selection recommendations from the pre-qualified list, and clear, consistent direction to design firms
โ€ข The design review process: quality, value for budgeted dollars, sustainability, and educational and building standards
โ€ข Design change review to keep projects within budget, with timely decisions and legally compliant documentation
โ€ข Coordination across District branches and participation in community outreach
Requirements
What You Bring
โ€ข 15 years of full-time professional experience managing facilities design, or the planning and coordination of capital projects covering design, contract administration, cost estimating, and scheduling
โ€ข 5 of those years in the design, planning, and construction of K-12 educational facilities
โ€ข A bachelor's degree in architecture or engineering (required for this role)
โ€ข A current California Certificate of Registration as an Architect, or Professional Engineer license (required for this role)
โ€ข The judgment to direct multiple architects and projects at once and keep decisions moving
Preferred
โ€ข A master's degree in architecture or engineering
โ€ข DSA process depth across approval, backcheck, and certification
โ€ข Experience building design standards, review processes, and training programs
Benefits
Compensation
Salary range: $191,000 to $210,000 per year, based on experience.
Benefits: health, dental, and vision at low cost; 401k; three weeks of PTO; and an ESOP (employee stock ownership) at no cost to you, with a 3% Safe Harbor contribution vested on day one.
Why MAAS
MAAS has spent nearly 40 years earning the trust of 50+ educational institutions across California, managing over $10B in projects. That track record means the work here is stable, funded, and consequential. You are not chasing the next contract.
As a MAAS employee, you are also an owner. The company is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP, a retirement benefit provided at no cost to you, on top of your salary. MAAS is a profitable, well-run organization and our share price has more than doubled since the plan's inception, with continued growth year over year. Your ownership stake builds the longer you stay, and ESOP participants nationally tend to accumulate 2.5x more in retirement savings than employees at non-ESOP companies.
In an industry not known for prioritizing culture, 96% of MAAS employees say it is a great place to work, and 100% say people genuinely care about each other.