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Designer Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate Designer I

Cypress, CA ยท On-site

$27 - $28/hr

Today, Hybrid is a global apparel industry powerhouse in brand and licensing management. Hybrid ... What is my role? The Associate Designer I, in partnership with the cross-functional team (Pre ...

... designer manages the following categories: Hosiery, Vision, Sleepwear ... They will review and manage all product submissions, evaluating them for product, brand, and ...

A Technical Designer manages their product category from concept to production by establishing & maintaining consistent fit standards, manufacturing methods, grading & pattern blocks between multiple ...

Technical Designer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

A Technical Designer manages their product category from concept to production by establishing & maintaining consistent fit standards, manufacturing methods, grading & pattern blocks between multiple ...

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$125K - $135K/yr

This is full-time role for a highly experienced, talented Designer Manager who is driven by and can lead on-trend design and concept. This position will report to the Design Director and SVP to help ...

Designer

Newport Beach, CA ยท On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

Designer

Newport Beach, CA ยท On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

Designer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

Designer

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Designer, Project Designer & Senior Designer For five decades, HPI Architecture has shaped ... Collaborate closely with project managers, technical staff, consultants, and internal design teams ...

Designer

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

A Designer uses multiple creative and project management tools (Figma, Slack, Asana, misc Ai tools) to deliver high-bar design for predictable and/or repeated projects with general guidance from a ...

Designer

Costa Mesa, CA ยท On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Support Senior Designers and Account Managers in the production of foodservice construction documents and specifications. * Work closely with the internal technical support team to ensure accurate ...

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Designer Manager information

See California salary details

$52.8K

$114.5K

$147.5K

How much do designer manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for designer manager in California is $114,496.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paid designer job?

The highest paid designer roles are often senior positions such as Creative Director or Design Director, especially in industries like technology, advertising, and fashion. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools and strategic planning, with salaries reaching into six figures or higher depending on the company and location.

What is a Designer Manager?

A Designer Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing a team of designers, ensuring that design projects align with company goals and are delivered on time. They manage workflows, mentor team members, and facilitate collaboration between designers and other departments such as marketing and product development. Designer Managers often set creative direction, provide feedback, and help resolve any design-related challenges. Their role is crucial in maintaining design quality and fostering innovation within an organization.

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

To thrive as a Designer Manager, you need a solid background in design principles, team leadership experience, and often a degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management tools like Asana or Trello is typically required. Strong communication, mentoring abilities, and creative problem-solving skills help you lead and inspire design teams. These skills are important for delivering high-quality design solutions, fostering team collaboration, and ensuring projects meet client or business objectives.

How does a Designer Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Designer Manager, you will frequently work alongside product managers, engineers, and marketing teams to ensure design solutions align with business goals and user needs. This role requires facilitating effective communication between design and other departments, managing feedback loops, and helping prioritize tasks to meet project deadlines. Designer Managers often lead design reviews, advocate for user-centered design, and ensure that team members have the resources and support needed to deliver high-quality work. Building strong relationships and maintaining transparency are key to fostering a collaborative environment.

What does a designer manager do?

A designer manager oversees design teams and projects, ensuring creative work aligns with company goals and client needs. They coordinate between designers, clients, and other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite and project management software. Strong leadership, communication, and design skills are essential for this role.

What is the role of a Design Manager?

A Design Manager oversees the design team and guides the development of visual concepts, ensuring projects meet client or company standards. They coordinate between designers, stakeholders, and other departments, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. The role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a solid understanding of design principles and project management.

What is the difference between Designer Manager vs Graphic Designer?

AspectDesigner ManagerGraphic Designer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in design, management experienceBachelor's degree in graphic design or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees design teams, manages projectsCreates visual content, works on design projects
Industry UsageUsed in agencies, corporate teams, studiosUsed across marketing, advertising, media

The main difference is that a Designer Manager oversees design teams and manages projects, while a Graphic Designer focuses on creating visual content. The Designer Manager has additional responsibilities in leadership and project coordination, whereas the Graphic Designer specializes in producing designs. Both roles require design skills, but the Manager role emphasizes team management and strategic planning.

Is 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 are essential to handle the pressures effectively.
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Designer Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Designer Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Designer Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,496 per year, or $55 per hour.

Associate Designer I

Hybrid Promotions LLC

Cypress, CA โ€ข On-site

$27 - $28/hr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Hybridโ€™s humble beginnings started in 1997 in the back of a print shop designing, selling, and printing tee shirts. Today, Hybrid is a global apparel industry powerhouse in brand and licensing management. Hybrid provides its expertise and fully vertical operations capability โ€“ design, merchandising, development, sourcing, production, and distribution โ€“ to a broad suite of branded, licensed, generic, and private label partners. Hybridโ€™s full-service apparel design and manufacturing expertise extends across the apparel category, including knits, woven tops, bottoms, tees, and accessories.
As our organization has evolved, so has our philosophy of doing business. We have made concerted efforts to remove ourselves from the antiquated approach of other apparel manufacturers and doing things differently has been our focus. We are building a company ethos that breeds innovation, collaboration, integrity and excellence in customer service.

What is my role?

The Associate Designer I, in partnership with the cross-functional team (Pre-production, Production, Graphics, etc.) assists the Designer and Director to execute product. They assist with research of relevant trends, communicate with the cross-functional team and provide support to the Designers.

What You'll Do

  • Develop strong working relationships with the teams through communications and problem solving
  • Work with designer and director to create seasonal direction in silhouette, fabric and concept for specific retailers/market
  • Execute and help in presentation books/art CADโ€™s
  • Attend and participate in fit sessions with designer
  • Manage deadlines in accordance with the calendar
  • Assist in coding art and revisions of CADโ€™s
  • Assist in sample execution
  • Maintain organized filing system for all CADโ€™s on server
  • Help maintain the day-to-day projects including filing/organizing, tagging, line preparation, copying and updating development, packages, fabric books, shipping/tracking packages

What Youโ€™ll Need

  • 2 or 4 year college degree in Fashion Design, Merchandising, Textiles, Fine Art, or related field
  • Portfolio required
  • 1-2 years previous experience designing apparel
  • Previous experience designing juniors apparel a plus
  • Strong sense of color, style, and trend
  • Extremely proficient in the Adobe Creative suite
  • Attention to detail, accuracy and follow-up skills
  • Garment construction & fabric knowledge
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
  • Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment

Hybrid Apparel is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.