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Environment Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

$70.84 - $86.11/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

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 ...

Northwoodspace

Mechanical Design Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$84K - $119K/yr

Design multiple product lines, structures, mechanisms, environmental systems, and GSE for satellite ground stations ensuring performance, reliability, and manufacturability. * Design manufacturable ...

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All JobsEnvironment Design JobsEnvironment Design Jobs in California

Environment Design information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do environment design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 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:

Environment Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environment Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,992 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Art Director, Environmental Design - LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$112.50 - $150/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

About the Role

The LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Hospitality Program will deliver world‑class premium experiences across competition venues, hospitality houses, celebration spaces, and exclusive guest environments during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Art Director plays a key role in bringing these experiences to life through innovative environmental design, storytelling, and creative execution under the direction of the Group Creative Director.

Core Responsibilities
  • Creative Leadership: Lead the creative development of hospitality environments from concept through execution, coordinating with event production and creative teams; drive design excellence across venues while maintaining consistency with the LA28 Hospitality creative vision; translate strategic objectives into immersive guest experiences.
  • Design Development: Direct the design process from ideation through fabrication, installation, and Games‑time execution; develop presentations, renderings, mood boards, finish palettes, floor plans, elevations, and design intent packages; review fabrication drawings, mock‑ups, and prototypes for creative integrity; balance creativity with operational requirements, budget, schedule, and constructability.
  • Cross‑Functional Leadership: Serve as the primary creative liaison between Creative, Production, Venue Development, Operations, and fabrication partners; present creative concepts and design rationale to executive leadership and stakeholders; coordinate with architects, scenic fabricators, exhibit partners, and graphics vendors for consistent execution.
  • Quality & Brand Stewardship: Ensure all work reflects LA28 Hospitality brand standards and creative direction; maintain consistency across hospitality venues and guest touchpoints; review deliverables for quality, accuracy, and production readiness.
  • Project Leadership: Lead multiple venue design projects simultaneously through all phases of development; lead and direct external design partners, fabricators, and creative vendors to ensure design excellence, production quality, and successful project delivery; support venue installations, site reviews, punch lists, and Games‑time creative oversight; maintain organized project documentation and key milestones.
  • Innovation: Identify emerging trends in experiential design, hospitality, sustainability, and materials; champion innovative design solutions that elevate the Olympic and Paralympic guest experience.
  • Success in this role: Deliver world‑class hospitality environments that elevate the Olympic and Paralympic guest experience; maintain exceptional creative quality across multiple venues; build trusted partnerships across creative, production, and operations teams; champion the LA28 Hospitality creative vision from concept through Games‑time execution.
  • Other Duties & Responsibilities: Follow administrative procedures for timesheets, time off requests, and other HR needs; keep up to date with any deliverables the Project Management team needs for billing purposes.
  • Travel: Adaptable to work and travel schedule; may include extended work hours during nights, weekends, and holidays; position may require up to 25% travel.
Qualifications
  • Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Industrial Design or related discipline.
  • Experience: 8+ years of experience in experiential design, hospitality, event design, entertainment, or environmental design.
  • Portfolio: Strong portfolio demonstrating environmental storytelling, spatial design, presentation graphics, and technical documentation.
  • Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in SketchUp, Layout, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Architectural Drafting; experience with 3D modeling workflow; mastery of rendering software such as Enscape, V‑Ray, Lumion, or Twinmotion.
  • Communication & Project Management: Excellent communication, organization, and project management skills.
  • Preferred Experience: Designing large‑scale sporting events, hospitality programs, exhibitions, or action sports.
  • Preferred Skills: Interior Design and Curation; additional craft/production skills; additional art skills (illustrative, drawing, sketching, or other methods to convey creative ideas); additional Adobe Suite or motion graphics experience.
  • Other Preferred: Working knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with sustainable practices.
Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off; 401(k) plan. Salary range: $112,500–$150,000 annually (minimum will not fall below the applicable State/local minimum salary thresholds).

EEO Statement

On Location is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or genetic information. The company complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non‑discrimination in employment.

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