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Interaction Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

This role sits at the intersection of interaction design and prototyping engineering. You should have strong interaction and visual design craft, while also being comfortable building interactive ...

Strong understanding of user experience and interaction design principles. * Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team. * Experience in managing ...

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Interaction Design information

See California salary details

$18

$58

$83

How much do interaction design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for interaction design in California is $58.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46.97 and $72.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is UX replaced by AI?

Interaction designers focus on creating user-centered experiences, and while AI tools can assist in tasks like user research and prototyping, they do not replace the need for human insight and creativity in UX design. AI can augment the role by automating repetitive tasks, but the core skills of understanding user needs and designing intuitive interfaces remain essential for UX professionals.

What is interaction design?

Interaction design (IxD) is the practice of designing interactive digital products, environments, systems, and services. It focuses on creating engaging interfaces with well-thought-out behaviors and actions that enable users to effectively achieve their goals. Interaction designers consider elements like user flows, feedback, and usability to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience. By understanding how people interact with technology, they bridge the gap between users and digital products.

What does an interaction designer do?

An interaction designer creates the user interfaces and experiences for digital products, focusing on how users interact with websites, apps, or software. They use tools like wireframes and prototypes to improve usability and ensure a seamless user experience, often collaborating with developers and UX researchers. Strong skills in design principles, user research, and familiarity with design software are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Interaction Design vs User Experience Design?

AspectInteraction DesignUser Experience Design
FocusDesigning interactive elements and how users engage with productsOverall experience, including usability, accessibility, and satisfaction
SkillsWireframing, prototyping, understanding user flowsResearch, user testing, visual design, and strategy
Work EnvironmentCollaborates closely with UI designers and developersWorks across research, design, and product teams

Interaction Design primarily focuses on creating engaging and intuitive interactive elements within a product, while User Experience Design encompasses the broader overall experience, including usability and emotional satisfaction. Both roles overlap but serve different aspects of the design process, often working together to deliver a seamless user journey.

How does an Interaction Designer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project?

Interaction Designers work closely with product managers, developers, and visual designers throughout the design process. They participate in brainstorming sessions, communicate design decisions, and iterate on wireframes and prototypes based on feedback from stakeholders and user testing. This collaborative environment ensures that user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives are all balanced to deliver an effective user experience. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as Interaction Designers often serve as a bridge between technical and non-technical team members.

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

To thrive as an Interaction Designer, you need a solid understanding of user-centered design principles, prototyping, and usability testing, often backed by a degree in design, HCI, or a related field. Familiarity with design software such as Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD, and prototyping tools, as well as knowledge of accessibility standards, is typically required. Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help Interaction Designers translate user needs into intuitive digital experiences. These competencies ensure that products are both functional and enjoyable, leading to higher user satisfaction and business success.

What can you do with an interaction design degree?

An interaction design degree prepares individuals for roles such as user experience (UX) designer, user interface (UI) designer, or product designer. Graduates can work in technology, software development, or digital media companies, applying skills in user research, prototyping, and usability testing using tools like Adobe XD or Figma.

How much do interactive designers make?

Interactive designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers with specialized skills in user experience and design tools can earn over $100,000 annually.
What are the most commonly searched types of Interaction Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Interaction Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Interaction Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Interaction Design job openings:
Infographic showing various Interaction Design job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,142 per year, or $58.7 per hour.
Manager, Software Engineering - Interaction Design

Manager, Software Engineering - Interaction Design

Figma

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$258K - $376K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Figma is growing our team of passionate creatives and builders on a mission to make design accessible to all. Figma's platform helps teams bring ideas to life-whether you're brainstorming, creating a prototype, translating designs into code, or iterating with AI. From idea to product, Figma empowers teams to streamline workflows, move faster, and work together in real time from anywhere in the world. If you're excited to shape the future of design and collaboration, join us!
The Interaction Design team is responsible for creating and maintaining the runtime APIs that support rich, high fidelity interactions and animations across our product suite. Our team's work is critical to ensuring products like Prototyping, Slides, and Smart Animate have the platform needed to empower customers to bring their designs to life in new and exciting ways. The team is also responsible for building new interaction and animation-based features. In this role, you'll lead the team that enables engineers at Figma to easily develop the next generation of interactive Figma features and products.
This is a full time role that can be held from one of our US hubs or remotely in the United States.
What you'll do at Figma:
  • Build and execute on a long-term roadmap to improve the platform, features, and runtimes supporting interactive and animated experiences in Figma products like Prototyping and Slides
  • Hire, manage, support and develop a team of engineers, including staff level engineers
  • Partner with product and engineering leadership to set strategy, priorities, and mission for teams and projects
  • Roll up your sleeves as needed to get involved in the technical details of solving some of the most complex technical challenges at Figma
  • Establish trust within and across teams by creating accountability and a positive work environment in partnership with other leaders in the organization
  • Grow your career in an engaged and creative engineering community
  • Figma is committed to building an inclusive and diverse team and culture. We expect all of our leaders to play a role in helping to build and drive these initiatives through hiring, community events, and other programs in partnership with teams across all of Figma
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
  • 2+ years of experience managing and leading a high output engineering team
  • 5+ years of engineering experience working on complex systems with an emphasis on performance, reliability, quality, and extensibility
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in building a high-performing and highly engaged engineering team; including a proven track record of motivating, mentoring, and guiding senior engineers
  • Demonstrated ability to partner with internal product and development teams to build systems that solve their needs
While it's not required, it's an added plus if you also have:
  • Experience building performant animation and interaction frameworks, tooling, and foundations
  • Deep knowledge of runtime environments and how they operate, including game, application, or browser engines
  • Experience with creative coding frameworks used for building interaction, animation, and time-based media experiences

At Figma, one of our values is Grow as you go. We believe in hiring smart, curious people who are excited to learn and develop their skills. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the points outlined in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Pay Transparency Disclosure
Job level and actual compensation will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, individual qualifications objectively assessed during the interview process (including skills and prior relevant experience, potential impact, and scope of role), market demands, and specific work location.
Figma offers equity to employees, as well as a competitive package of additional benefits, including health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits with company contributions; parental leave and reproductive or family planning support; mental health and wellness benefits; and paid time off. Figma provides paid sick leave, holidays, and other leave benefits in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the requirements of the Washington Minimum Wage Act and related regulations. Exempt employees are eligible for employer-provided paid flexible PTO in addition to flexible paid sick leave. PTO is subject to manager approval. Additional benefits may include company recharge days, cell phone and home internet reimbursements, and a number of lifestyle spending accounts. Figma also offers sales incentive compensation for most sales roles and an annual bonus plan for eligible non-sales roles. All compensation and benefits are subject to applicable plan terms and may be modified by Figma at any time, consistent with applicable law.
Annual Base Salary Range:
$258,000-$376,000 USD
At Figma we celebrate and support our differences. We know employing a team rich in diverse thoughts, experiences, and opinions allows our employees, our product and our community to flourish. Figma is an equal opportunity workplace - we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
We will work to ensure individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to apply for a role, participate in the interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you require accommodation, please reach out to accommodations-ext@figma.com. These modifications enable an individual with a disability to have an equal opportunity not only to get a job, but successfully perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities.
Examples of accommodations include but are not limited to:
  • Holding interviews in an accessible location
  • Enabling closed captioning on video conferencing
  • Ensuring all written communication be compatible with screen readers
  • Changing the mode or format of interviews

To ensure the integrity of our hiring process and facilitate a more personal connection, we require all candidates keep their cameras on during video interviews. Additionally, if hired you will be required to attend in person onboarding.
By applying for this job, the candidate acknowledges and agrees that any personal data contained in their application or supporting materials will be processed in accordance with Figma's Candidate Privacy Notice.