1

Engineering Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aviation Design Engineer/Manager

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $216K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are seeking an Aviation Design Engineer/Manager to join our team in San Francisco, CA ... Plans and reviews the production of engineering drawings and specifications with an expertise in ...

A Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field is required, with a Master ... Design Leadership * Manage and direct all phases of the design process, from concept to completion ...

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160 - $175/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Cordoba Corporation is a leading engineering and design firm based in California. We are seeking a Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Design Manager leads and coordinates the ...

Aviation Design Engineer/Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $216K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are seeking an Aviation Design Engineer/Manager to join our team in San Francisco, CA ... Plans and reviews the production of engineering drawings and specifications with an expertise in ...

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Cordoba Corporation is a leading engineering and design firm based in California. We are seeking a Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Design Manager leads and coordinates the ...

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160 - $175/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Cordoba Corporation is a leading engineering and design firm based in California. We are seeking a Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Design Manager leads and coordinates the ...

Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview Cordoba Corporation is a leading engineering and design firm based in California. We are seeking a Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Design Manager leads and coordinates the ...

Design Manager, NA

Santa Clara, CA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborating closely with the Regional Product, Design Engineering, New Site Development, Construction and Operations teams, Design Management functions as the interconnective hub that owns the ...

The Design Manager is responsible for the technical demands of facilitating project design and ... Hosts Engineered Value sessions to optimize cost and materials. * Ensures project specifications ...

The Design Manager is responsible for the technical demands of facilitating project design and ... Hosts Engineered Value sessions to optimize cost and materials. * Ensures project specifications ...

Design Manager Description Balfour Beatty is seeking a Design Manager to join our team in Southern ... Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.

Showing results 41-60

Engineering Design Manager information

See California salary details

$51.8K

$132.7K

$204.8K

How much do engineering design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering design manager in California is $132,705.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an engineering design manager do?

An Engineering Design Manager oversees the design process for engineering projects, coordinating teams of engineers and designers to ensure that project goals are met efficiently and effectively. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and reviewing design work, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements. Additionally, they often liaise with clients, stakeholders, and other departments to align the design vision with project specifications and timelines. Their leadership is crucial in solving technical challenges and delivering innovative solutions within budget.

What does an engineering design manager do?

The job duties of an engineering design manager include overseeing a team of engineers and CAD designers on engineering projects. In addition to providing leadership to staff, in this career, you manage the budget planning for each project, work with concept development, and ensure that plans meet company or client needs and engineering standards. You offer guidance throughout the design process and inspect and sign off on design plans to ensure that they meet quality standards. As a manager, you are also responsible for providing effective staffing strategies and workflow.

What are the main challenges an engineering design manager faces when balancing project deadlines with innovation?

Engineering Design Managers often need to ensure that their teams deliver high-quality designs within tight project timelines while also encouraging creativity and innovation. One of the main challenges is managing stakeholder expectations and resource constraints, as pushing for innovative solutions can sometimes require more time and iterative testing. Effective communication, prioritization, and fostering a collaborative environment help address these challenges, ensuring that projects remain on schedule without stifling new ideas. Managers frequently coordinate between engineering teams, clients, and other departments to align goals and keep projects moving forward.

What is the difference between Engineering Design Manager vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectEngineering Design ManagerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, often with management certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams, oversees projects, collaborates with cross-functional departmentsDesigns, analyzes, and tests mechanical systems, often working in labs or on-site
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and engineering firms for leadership rolesCommon in product design, manufacturing, and R&D sectors

The Engineering Design Manager focuses on leading design teams and managing projects, requiring leadership skills and project management experience. In contrast, Mechanical Engineers are involved in the technical design and analysis of mechanical systems. Both roles often require similar engineering credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Engineering Design Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Engineering Design Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Engineering Design Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Engineering Design Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Engineering Design Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,705 per year, or $63.8 per hour.

Aviation Design Engineer/Manager

SNC-Lavalin

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $216K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 hours ago


Job description

Job DescriptionOverview

We are seeking an Aviation Design Engineer/Manager to join our team in San Francisco, CA, embedded with staff at the San Francisco International Airport.

Your role
  • Performs airfield or landside project design oversight, reviews sketches, and design concepts developed by engineers, subconsultants, CAD designers or technicians.

  • Plans and reviews the production of engineering drawings and specifications with an expertise in airside and landside projects.

  • Interfaces with clients and regulatory agencies with little to no oversight, including representing AtkinsRealis' multidisciplinary capabilities to airport clients, assisting the client in their development and execution of airport capital improvement program projects, from project conceptual planning, grant application support, preliminary and final design of project bidding plans and specifications, construction administration, and overseeing project inspection and quality assurance testing.

  • Coordinates work with lead technical engineers, and guides and mentors' junior professionals and technical personnel on the design and drafting of preliminary and final plans and specifications.

  • Develops, communicates, and manages project quality assurance, administrative procedures, communication guidelines, project deliverable formats and specifications, and progress reporting requirements.

  • Monitors schedules, billings, and reports; ensures appropriate charging of manhours, costs, and expenses to projects; assists in obtaining payment from clients; resolves client disputes and adjusts billing records as required; communicates project progress/status to senior management and alerts them of project production, quality control or financial performance problems.

  • Coordinates communication between internal and external associates and client, and between firm and regulatory agencies. Maintains frequent contact with clients and regulatory agency personnel to determine their respective needs and requirements and serves as expert witness at project hearings and judicial proceedings if necessary.

  • Supervises other technical professionals and other design staff including managing weekly project workload and manpower forecasting.

  • Monitors and reports financial status of projects to technical managers.

  • Performs such other duties as the supervisor may from time to time deem necessary.

About you
  • Requires a Bachelor's degree in field(s) of practice - preferably an Engineering Degree. Graduate degree preferred. Management coursework and/or MBA a plus.

  • Requires 10 years' experience in project production and technical professional activities.

  • Airfield element design or construction experience preferred.

  • Proven interpersonal skills, public speaking and persuasive ability; strong project financial management and team management skills; knowledge of production support systems and personal computer proficiency.

  • Professional Registration in field(s) of practice required, such as a PE (Professional Engineer) License.

Rewards & benefits

At AtkinsRealis, our values-Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence-are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.

Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRealis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits. You can review our comprehensive benefits page here.

About AtkinsRealis

We're AtkinsRealis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Expected compensation range is between $130,000- $216,000 annually, depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

Are you ready to expand your career with us? Apply today and help us shape something extraordinary.

AtkinsRealis is an equal opportunity, Drug-Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability

Please review AtkinsRealis' Equal Opportunity Statement here.

Upon acceptance of an offer, all candidates must go through a drug screen test and background check. AtkinsRealis is a federal contractor which mandates a satisfactory background screening report and drug test. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the following laws if applicable, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act. This position is not available for individuals living or working in New York City.

AtkinsRealis believes that conviction records may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship to the following job duties: accessing company property, information, assets, and products; accessing confidential information and partnering and regularly working with or supervising other AtkinsRealis employees and interacting with AtkinsRealis clients including government property or ports.

AtkinsRealis cares about your privacy and is committed to protecting your privacy. Please consult our Privacy Notice on our Careers site to know more about how we collect, use and transfer your Personal Data. By submitting your personal information to AtkinsRealis, you confirm that you have read and accept our Privacy Notice.

Note to staffing and direct hire agencies:

In the event a recruiter or agency who is not on our preferred supplier list submits a resume/candidate to anyone in the company, AtkinsRealis family of companies, we explicitly reserve the right to recruit and hire the candidate(s) at our discretion and without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. https://careers.atkinsrealis.com/recruitment-agencies

Worker TypeEmployeeJob TypeRegular

At AtkinsRealis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.