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Design Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Design-Build Roadway Lead

Nevada, IA · On-site

$180 - $230/hr

Design-Build Roadway Lead Department: Innovative Pursuits Employment Type: Full Time Location: Reno, NV Reporting To: Richard Hansen Compensation: $180,000 - $230,000 / year Description Unmatched ...

New

Design-Build Drainage Lead

Nevada, IA · On-site

$180 - $230/hr

Design-Build Drainage Lead Department: Innovative Pursuits Employment Type: Full Time Location: Reno, NV Reporting To: Richard Hansen Compensation: $180,000 - $230,000 / year Description Unmatched ...

New

Design-Build MOT Lead

Nevada, IA · On-site

$180 - $230/hr

Design-Build MOT Lead Department: Innovative Pursuits Employment Type: Full Time Location: Reno, NV Reporting To: Richard Hansen Compensation: $180,000 - $230,000 / year Description Unmatched Comp ...

New

A Designer must have a strong design background and a desire to use creativity to design systems that enhance productivity, quality, and the working environment of facilities.  A Designer supports ...

We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results - for our people, our clients, and our company.

Project Civil Engineer - Site Design

Ankeny, IA · On-site +1

$79K - $106K/yr

We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results - for our people, our clients, and our company.

Design commercial cabinetry projects using 2020 Design Software. * Prepare accurate project quotes, estimates, and material take-offs. * Perform on-site field measurements to ensure precise design ...

We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results - for our people, our clients, and our company.

Student Drafter

Ames, IA · On-site +1

$22 - $29.50/hr

This position is ideal for someone with a passion for design and engineering who is eager to contribute to our diverse projects. The successful candidate will work closely with our engineers and ...

Student Drafter

Ames, IA · On-site +1

$22 - $29.50/hr

This position is ideal for someone with a passion for design and engineering who is eager to contribute to our diverse projects. The successful candidate will work closely with our engineers and ...

Student Drafter

Ames, IA · On-site +1

$22 - $29.50/hr

This position is ideal for someone with a passion for design and engineering who is eager to contribute to our diverse projects. The successful candidate will work closely with our engineers and ...

Showing results 21-40

Design information

See Ames, IA salary details

$41.1K

$112K

$197.1K

How much do design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for design in Ames, IA is $111,994.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,700.00 and $140,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a design job?

A design job involves creating visual concepts, layouts, and solutions to communicate ideas and solve problems. Designers work in various fields such as graphic design, web design, product design, and interior design. Their responsibilities often include understanding client needs, brainstorming creative concepts, and using specialized software to bring ideas to life. Design professionals play a key role in shaping user experiences, branding, and the visual identity of products or organizations.

What are different types of design jobs?

Design jobs utilize the power of creative skills in nearly every industry. You can find design jobs with agencies as well as directly with medium to large sized businesses, with positions aligned with your skill strengths and creative preferences. As a graphic designer, you create product illustrations and branding images that align with the clients’ vision. As a user experience (UX) designer, your duties are to develop the front end interface of websites, mobile applications, software programs, and video games. As an interior designer, you turn home and office furnishings into cohesive spaces with aesthetic appeal.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Designer, you need a solid grasp of design principles, visual communication, and proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, or Sketch, as well as knowledge of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) standards, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration and communication skills set outstanding designers apart. These skills are crucial for producing compelling, user-centered designs that effectively solve problems and meet client or organizational goals.

What are some common challenges designers face when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Designers often collaborate with professionals from marketing, engineering, and product management. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication, as team members may have different priorities or technical backgrounds. Designers need to advocate for user-centered solutions while balancing business goals and technical constraints. Establishing a shared vocabulary and using visual prototypes can help bridge gaps and ensure everyone is aligned throughout the project.

What is the difference between Design vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesignGraphic Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, design software skillsPortfolio, design software skills
Work EnvironmentVaries across industries, including digital, print, productPrimarily digital and print media
Industry UsageUsed broadly in product, UX, interior, fashion, and graphic designSpecifically in visual communication and branding
Common Search/ComparisonDesign vs Graphic Designer

Design is a broad field encompassing various specialties like UX, interior, and product design, focusing on creating functional and aesthetic solutions. Graphic Designer is a specific role within design, primarily focused on visual communication through digital and print media. While both roles require similar skills and tools, Design covers a wider range of disciplines, whereas Graphic Designer specializes in visual branding and imagery.

What are 20 careers in design?

Design careers encompass roles such as graphic designer, industrial designer, user experience (UX) designer, user interface (UI) designer, fashion designer, interior designer, web designer, motion graphics artist, packaging designer, visual designer, brand designer, game designer, exhibit designer, textile designer, furniture designer, CAD technician, art director, creative director, multimedia artist, and design researcher. These roles often require proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite, knowledge of design principles, and strong visual communication skills. Many positions may also require a portfolio and relevant certifications or degrees.

What jobs can you do with design?

A career in design can lead to roles such as graphic designer, user experience (UX) designer, industrial designer, interior designer, fashion designer, and web designer. These jobs typically require skills in visual communication, creativity, and proficiency with tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software, often involving collaboration and project management. Opportunities exist across industries including advertising, technology, manufacturing, and entertainment.

Which career is best in design?

The best career in design depends on individual interests and skills, with options including graphic design, industrial design, user experience (UX) design, and interior design. Success often requires proficiency in relevant tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software, along with a strong portfolio and sometimes certification. Fields like UX design are growing rapidly due to increased focus on digital products and user-centered experiences.

What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in Ames, IA?

The most popular types of Design jobs in Ames, IA are:

What are popular job titles related to Design jobs in Ames, IA?

For Design jobs in Ames, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Design jobs in Ames, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Design jobs in Ames, IA are:

What cities near Ames, IA are hiring for Design jobs?

Cities near Ames, IA with the most Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Design job openings in Ames, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,994 per year, or $53.8 per hour.

Principal Program Manager, Design Operations

Autodesk

Nevada, IA • On-site, Remote

$111K - $199K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Autodesk rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Job Requisition ID #

26WD99349

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Principal Design Operations Program Manager will help our Experience Design (XD) team within the Product Design and Manufacturing Solutions (PDMS) organization operate more effectively by driving and managing programs to enhance team health, improve design efficiency and process, and increase design alignment across teams and with business partners.

Our ideal candidate will be a systems thinker who is an excellent communicator and collaborator. They should be equally skilled in both managing established programs, which require strong organization, communication, and task management skills, and in identifying opportunities for improvement, applying design thinking to create successful solutions. It's a position that requires scalability, from strategic thinking to detailed tactical implementation.

A successful candidate should also be comfortable diving into complexity, navigating ambiguity and adapting to changing priorities. Sound judgement is essential - knowing what challenges to invest in and what challenges to deprioritize. Confidence and excellent relationship and networking skills are also critical as this role requires working across teams to connect dots and enhance collaboration and effectiveness.

This is a remote position open to candidates in US / Canada (PST / MST).

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Own and/or manage programs and initiatives that improve design team success (team health, design efficiency, and/or design impact). This includes:

    • Establishing the program goals, strategy, operating model, and governance, navigating ambiguity and aligning stakeholders

    • Executing program tactics, from goal and scope setting to conclusion, within defined schedule, budget, and quality parameters. Identifying issues and driving them to resolution

    • Identifying connections to other programs, teams, and partners and engaging key stakeholders to align program goals for mutual success

    • Planning and facilitating meetings, creating key communications, and keeping team and program on track with commitments

  • Design and lead design sprints to accelerate design of user-facing products and of internal programs and services

  • Coach and support design team members, in achievement of design adjacent tasks such as work prioritization, level-of-effort estimating, asset management, and knowledge sharing

  • Design and implement new ways of working that further DesignOps effectiveness and goals, using design thinking methods, and collaborating with team members and key stakeholders

  • Aid DesignOps scalability through designing, documenting, and sharing best practices and resources

  • Help champion the growth of DesignOps, working with other teams within Autodesk to align, share and support the growth of the discipline across the company

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience

  • 4+ years design program management experience within a software environment, ideally at a software company (versus agency)

  • Familiarity with user-centered design practices, UX tools and techniques, and software development methods, primarily Agile

  • Strong track record in above requirements, particularly in standing up and managing programs and completing significant initiatives successfully and in leading design sprints / workshops

  • Excellent project management skills

  • Fluency with the SDLC and working with cross-functional teams to improve it, especially the design team's role

  • Solid foundation in AI and experience helping designers improve their AI fluency. Up-to-date in latest AI features/tools for designers

  • Demonstrated strong writing, reporting, and documentation skills (examples may be required)

  • Strong verbal and presentation skills

  • Ability to travel when needed, likely 10% or less

Learn More

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software - from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk - it's at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you're an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Salary transparency

Salary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For U.S.-based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $111,000 and $199,650. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.Salary is one part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For Canada based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $109,000 and $159,500. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Autodesk, we're building a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to imagine, design, and make a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider for employment all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.


Belonging

We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/global-belonging


In-Person Onboarding and Identity Verification

This role may require in-person onboarding and/or in-person ID verification.

Are you an existing contractor or consultant with Autodesk?

Please search for open jobs and apply internally (not on this external site).


What Autodesk employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About Autodesk

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Our technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to more mesmerizing blockbusters, Autodesk software helps our customers to design and make a better world for all. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.

Industry

Software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Rafael, CA, US

Year founded

1982