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Environment Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Thermal Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

Work in a dynamic and fast-paced product development environment Design new thermal solutions to enable NVIDIA's next generation of products Investigate relevant technologies and design concepts ...

Senior Thermal Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

Work in a dynamic and fast-paced product development environment * Design new thermal solutions to enable NVIDIA's next generation of products * Investigate relevant technologies and design concepts

$70.84 - $86.11/hr

A bachelor's degree in any subject and two years of experience in Environmental Design, OR * any associate degree in any subject and six years of experience in Environmental Design OR * The ...

Showing results 41-60

Environment Design information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do environment design jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for environment design in California is $112,992.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $142,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is environment design?

Environment design is the process of creating and visualizing the settings or worlds in which stories, games, movies, or other media take place. Environment designers use artistic and technical skills to develop immersive backgrounds, landscapes, buildings, and atmospheres that support storytelling and gameplay. Their work helps establish the mood, style, and functionality of a scene, often collaborating with concept artists, 3D modelers, and other creative professionals. Environment design is essential in industries like video games, animation, and film, where believable and engaging worlds are key to the audience's experience.

How does an environment designer typically collaborate with other departments during a game development project?

Environment designers regularly work with concept artists, level designers, and programmers to ensure that the visual aspects of a game's world align with gameplay needs and technical constraints. They provide 3D models and texture assets that fit the game’s narrative and mechanics, often participating in iterative feedback sessions to refine their work. Communication and adaptability are essential, as environment designers must balance artistic vision with performance optimization and the requirements of other teams. This collaborative process ensures a cohesive and engaging player experience.

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

To thrive as an Environment Designer, you need a strong foundation in spatial design, 3D modeling, and art fundamentals, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, Unreal Engine, and Adobe Creative Suite is crucial. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you interpret concepts and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are essential for creating immersive, visually compelling environments that enhance user experiences in games, film, or architectural visualization.

What is the difference between Environment Design vs Interior Design?

AspectEnvironment DesignInterior Design
CredentialsDegree in environment design, architecture, or related fieldsDegree in interior design or architecture
Work EnvironmentOutdoor and indoor spaces, urban areas, public environmentsIndoor spaces, residential and commercial interiors
Industry UsageUrban planning, landscape architecture, environmental graphicsResidential, hospitality, retail, corporate interiors

Environment Design focuses on creating functional and aesthetic outdoor and indoor spaces, often involving urban planning and landscape elements. Interior Design concentrates on designing interior spaces for comfort and style. While both roles require design credentials, Environment Design emphasizes broader spatial planning, whereas Interior Design specializes in interior aesthetics and functionality.

Is environment design in demand?

Environment design is a growing field driven by the need for immersive digital experiences in gaming, virtual reality, and simulation industries. Professionals with skills in 3D modeling, software like Unreal Engine or Unity, and a strong understanding of spatial concepts are increasingly sought after. The demand is expected to continue as these industries expand and prioritize realistic, engaging environments.

What can I do with an environment design degree?

An environment design degree prepares individuals for careers in creating and planning physical spaces, such as interior, landscape, or urban environments. Graduates can work as environmental or landscape designers, urban planners, or set designers, often using tools like CAD software and collaborating with clients and teams. The role typically requires strong visualization skills, creativity, and knowledge of sustainability practices.

What do environment designers do?

Environment designers create and develop the visual and functional aspects of physical or virtual spaces, such as landscapes, interiors, or game worlds. They use skills in design, architecture, and software tools like CAD or 3D modeling to plan and visualize environments that meet project requirements. Their work often involves collaboration with architects, artists, and engineers to ensure cohesive and practical designs.

What cities in California are hiring for Environment Design jobs?

Cities in California with the most Environment Design job openings:

Infographic showing various Environment Design job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,992 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Senior Thermal Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Nvidia
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$122K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Nvidia rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Thermal Product Design Engineer to join this dynamic and innovative team to support the next generation of products and thermal solutions. As a member within our One Team model, you will support collaborative product design and development activities focusing on one business and possibly all business segments including but not limited to Data Center, Automotive, Robotics, Gaming graphics, and NVIDIA Shield products. Your contributions will be towards product development and supporting translation of thermal technologies into designs, specifications, and manufacturing from package to systems.

Your design of new thermal solutions is essential, so that as a company we can anticipate and enable revolutionary products. Be an integral member of a multi-functional collaborative team that defines and develops thermal solutions from concept to production. What you'll be doing: On this team, the goals and objectives are carried out through a high degree of collaboration and use of state-of-the-art methods and technologies, analytical and computational analysis, and laboratory validation.

These methods and processes are developed within NVIDIA's thermal team. Part of your responsibility is driving trade-offs and validation aligned with product goals and contributing to thermal solution designs from conceptualization through mass production. You will: Work in a dynamic and fast-paced product development environment Design new thermal solutions to enable NVIDIA's next generation of products Investigate relevant technologies and design concepts Perform thermal simulations using industry standard CFD tools Characterize thermal designs and electronic assemblies: Building-up physical prototype assemblies, instrumenting those assemblies for testing, carrying out testing with specific diagnostic software, summarizing data, disassembling, modifying and reassembling systems Present analysis summaries and test reports What we need to see: BSME minimum (or equivalent experience) 5+ years relevant experience in electronics thermal design Deep understanding and passion for heat transfer and fluid dynamics Strong proficiency in at least one thermal simulation tool (e.g., Icepak, Flotherm, Fluent) Hands-on experience and proficiency in thermal testing (i.e., thermal sensors, using automated data acquisition, system assembly, and data analysis techniques) Strong interpersonal skills, and specifically a proven ability to effectively guide and collaborate within a dynamic environment Background in leading resources including consultants, suppliers, and manufacturing partners Ways to stand out from the crowd: Extensive experience with electronics cooling in one of NVIDIA's core business areas Well-rounded background in product conceptualization, design, and manufacturing with good knowledge/experience from package to product level Knowledge of thermal solution manufacturing processes Experience with engineering statistical analysis methods and/or statistical process control for high volume manufacturing NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world's most desirable employers

We have some of the most forward-thinking people in the world working for us. Are you a creative engineer who loves a challenge. Come and be part of the best thermal team in the industry.

Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 152,000 USD - 253,000 USD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until September 5, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy. NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.


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About Nvidia

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's a unique legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology--and amazing people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to define the next era of computing. An era in which our GPU acts as the brains of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can understand the world. Doing what's never been done before takes vision, innovation, and the world's best talent.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US