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Design Thinking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Manager - Design Thinking

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $131K/yr

Serve as design thinking subject matter expert, applying human-centered design methodologies to help clients achieve impactful results * Advise clients and project teams on applying design thinking ...

Manager - Design Thinking

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $131K/yr

Serve as design thinking subject matter expert, applying human-centered design methodologies to help clients achieve impactful results * Advise clients and project teams on applying design thinking ...

Design Strategist

Fairfield, CT

$123K - $160K/yr

Ideal candidates will have a master's degree in design thinking, user research, industrial design, or a similar field of study. Candidates are required to provide examples of research discussion ...

Design Strategist

Fairfield, CT

$123K - $160K/yr

Ideal candidates will have a master's degree in design thinking, user research, industrial design, or a similar field of study. Candidates are required to provide examples of research discussion ...

Design Strategist

Fairfield, CT · On-site

$123K - $160K/yr

Ideal candidates will have a master's degree in design thinking, user research, industrial design, or a similar field of study. Candidates are required to provide examples of research discussion ...

Senior Director, Design

$229K - $286K/yr

Evangelize design thinking across the organization-ensure design is deeply woven into how decisions are made * Champion the User: Be the ultimate advocate for our users in all product decisions.

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Design Thinking information

See salary details

$53.5K

$116K

$149.5K

How much do design thinking jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for design thinking in the United States is $116,016.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What careers use design thinking?

Design thinking is used in careers such as product design, user experience (UX) design, innovation consulting, and service design. Professionals in these fields apply human-centered problem-solving methods to develop creative solutions, often utilizing tools like prototyping and user research to improve products and services.

What are typical daily responsibilities for someone working in a design thinking role?

In a Design Thinking role, your daily responsibilities may involve facilitating workshops, conducting user research, and synthesizing insights to define problems clearly. You’ll often collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including product managers, engineers, and marketing staff—to ideate and prototype potential solutions. Preparing and presenting findings or prototypes to stakeholders and iterating on feedback are also common tasks. This hands-on, interactive environment encourages continuous learning and creative problem solving while keeping the user's needs at the center of every project.

What is a design thinking?

A Design Thinking job involves applying human-centered design principles to solve complex problems creatively and collaboratively. Professionals in this role use empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iterative testing to develop innovative solutions in various industries. They often work in roles such as UX designers, product managers, or innovation strategists, helping organizations create user-friendly products or services. These roles require strong problem-solving, collaboration, and customer research skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a design thinking position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Design Thinking role, you need a solid understanding of user-centered design principles, problem-solving abilities, and often a background in design, business, or related fields. Familiarity with prototyping software (such as Figma or Sketch), collaborative tools (like Miro or MURAL), and, in some cases, Design Thinking certification can be advantageous. Exceptional communication, facilitation, and empathy help professionals engage stakeholders and foster creative collaboration. These skills are essential for effectively guiding teams through innovation processes and delivering human-centered solutions.

More about Design Thinking jobs
What cities are hiring for Design Thinking jobs? Cities with the most Design Thinking job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Design Thinking jobs? The most popular types of Design Thinking jobs are:
What states have the most Design Thinking jobs? States with the most job openings for Design Thinking jobs include:
Infographic showing various Design Thinking job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,016 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Manager - Design Thinking

Rockwood Company

Washington, DC • On-site

$129K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

About Rockwood:

Welcome to Rockwood Company, LLC - where innovation meets impact in the heart of the DC Metropolitan Area. As a rapidly growing, woman-owned change management consulting firm, we pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled value to our clients.

At Rockwood, we foster a team-oriented learning environment that encourages our consultants to push boundaries and reach new heights. The work we do is impactful and our clients are trusted partners. Our consultants take ownership of their success and partner with leadership to achieve their professional development goals and our clients' mission outcomes.

About the Position:

Our managers lead our consulting teams and drive results for our clients by providing organizational engineering expertise and project management acumen. Managers help clients achieve their missions while teaching them sustainable ways to effectively achieve outcomes. These seasoned consultants drive business development initiatives to contribute to the company's growth.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Serve as design thinking subject matter expert, applying human-centered design methodologies to help clients achieve impactful results
  • Advise clients and project teams on applying design thinking frameworks and methodologies within their organizations
  • Oversee project work through diligent project management, including crafting project outcomes and metrics, assigning roles and responsibilities, monitoring success and managing risks, and discussing needs and options with clients
  • Collaborate with clients to create actionable plans that turn vision, mission, and goals into executable projects or programs
  • Guide delivery through innovative planning, to include customizing approaches, integrating technologies, introducing new methods, and engaging stakeholders in design-thinking processes
  • Lead planning and decision discussions with SES leaders and other executives
  • Design and brief findings and recommendations to senior executive clients
  • Design and conduct quality review of all client deliverables 
  • Support stakeholder engagements by assessing stakeholder landscape, creating communications plans, conducting briefings, and collaborating across all levels of stakeholders
  • Lead cross-functional working groups or sessions with internal and external stakeholders, gain buy-in from key stakeholders and ensure comprehensive documentation of all discussions, decisions, and outcomes
  • Identify future needs of existing clients (beyond current project outcomes) and work with Rockwood leadership to develop approaches for securing work.
  • Manage project resources, financials, risk mitigation, exceptional completion of contract requirements and ad-hoc client requests
  • Prioritize client demands effectively in a fast-paced environment
  • Lead project teams by providing direction, support, and mentorship, ensuring team members' professional growth and development while achieving project objectives

Required Qualifications:

  • Must currently hold an active DoD Secret clearance (or higher)
  • Ten (10) plus years of relevant work experience in management consulting, organizational development, strategic planning and implementation, communications, change management, and/or facilitation
  • Bachelor's degree in Organizational Development, Human-Centered Design, Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Organizational Leadership or a related field.
  • Project/Program management experience on complex projects, including managing workstreams, resources, financials, projections, and staffing
  • Design Thinking training from a recognized organization (e.g., LUMA Institute, IDEO U, Design Thinkers Academy, or equivalent).
  • Strong relationship management skills and the ability to build, manage, and sustain professional relationships with diverse stakeholders
  • Experience with federal government agencies or DoW organizations
  • Willingness to commute regularly to client locations in and around the Washington Metropolitan area; occasional travel outside of the Washington, D.C. area may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Holds an active Top Secret Clearance with SCI.
  • Master's Degree in relevant discipline
  • Certification in change management, Lean-Six Sigma, PMP, or other management consulting-related discipline
  • Business development experience in a consulting environment, including supporting capture efforts, contributing to proposals, and cultivating client relationships to expand engagement opportunities

Our Unique Benefits:

  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Employee Funded Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Unlimited Sick Leave
  • Generous Paid Vacation Time and Eight (8) Federal Holidays and one (1) floating holiday
  • 401(k) Retirement Program, Rockwood provides a 100% match on employees' contributions, up to 4% of their salary deferrals
  • Employer-Paid Parental Leave
  • Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance and AD&D
  • Continuous Learning and Tuition Reimbursement
  • Bonuses and incentives for high-impact work
  • Monthly Cell Phone Reimbursement 
  • Monthly Internet Reimbursement
  • Monthly Wellness Reimbursement
  • Company Teambuilding Events (i.e.: Nationals Games, Bowling, and more)

Salary Range:

The annual salary range for this position is $140,000 - $185,000.00. Your salary may vary within this range depending on a wide range of factors, including (but not limited to) your qualifications, skills, experience, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

EOE/Vets/Disabled