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Lead Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hella

Lead Design Engineer - Actuators

Northville, MI · On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

FORVIA -HELLA is seeking its next great design engineer to join our growing actuators team.The ... Serve as the lead technical liaison between customers and internal development teams, ensuring ...

Imprimis Group

Sr. Design Engineer

Alvarado, TX · On-site

$88K - $98K/yr

Lead design engineering efforts supporting steel structure and utility infrastructure projects. * Oversee quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery of engineering designs. * Partner with engineering ...

Imprimis Group

Sr. Design Engineer

Alvarado, TX · On-site

$88K - $98K/yr

Lead design engineering efforts supporting steel structure and utility infrastructure projects. * Oversee quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery of engineering designs. * Partner with engineering ...

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Lead Design Engineer information

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$42.5K

$123.8K

$180.5K

How much do lead design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead design engineer in the United States is $123,784.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Lead Design Engineer do?

A Lead Design Engineer oversees the design and development of products, systems, or structures, often leading a team of engineers and designers. They are responsible for ensuring that design projects meet technical requirements, deadlines, and quality standards. This role involves coordinating between different departments, reviewing technical drawings, and providing guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Lead Design Engineers also play a key role in problem-solving and innovation, making sure that the final output is both functional and cost-effective.

How does a Lead Design Engineer typically balance hands-on technical work with team leadership responsibilities?

As a Lead Design Engineer, you'll often split your time between direct engineering tasks—such as designing systems, reviewing technical drawings, or solving complex problems—and guiding your team through project milestones. This role requires strong organizational skills to delegate tasks effectively, mentor junior engineers, and ensure that design standards are met. Regular collaboration with cross-functional teams, like project management and manufacturing, is also a key part of the job. Successfully balancing these aspects can be challenging but is essential for driving both technical excellence and team growth.

What is the difference between Lead Design Engineer vs Design Engineer?

AspectLead Design EngineerDesign Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads design projects, collaborates with cross-functional teams, oversees technical aspectsDevelops and modifies designs, supports project teams, follows specifications
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and construction industriesFound across similar industries, often as entry to mid-level roles

The Lead Design Engineer typically has more experience, takes on leadership responsibilities, and oversees design projects, while the Design Engineer focuses on creating and refining designs under supervision. Both roles require engineering credentials and are integral to product development processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Lead Design Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, advanced design skills, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or a related field. Proficiency with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and relevant industry certifications (like PE or PMP) is often required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help drive team collaboration and innovative solutions. These competencies ensure high-quality project outcomes, efficient workflows, and successful leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
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Lead Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,784 per year, or $59.5 per hour.

Lead Design Engineer - Sensors

HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Northville, MI • On-site

$96K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Lead Design Engineer - Sensors
Location Northville, USA
FORVIA HELLA is a listed international automotive supplier. As a company of the FORVIA Group, FORVIA HELLA stands for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics and, with the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group, also covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spare parts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special vehicles. With currently around 36,500 employees at over 125 locations, the Company is active worldwide and generated adjusted sales of €8.1 billion in fiscal year 2024.
YOUR TASKS
FORVIA -HELLA is seeking its next great design engineer to join our growing sensors team.The primary function of this role is to provide systems engineering actions andRFQ customer support. This individual will be joining a well established groupthat is focused on future and current productiongenerations.
About Us
FORVIA -HELLA is is a listed, internationally positioned automotive supplier operatingunder the umbrella brand FORVIA. Within this factual group, HELLA stands forhigh-performance lighting technology and automotive electronics. At the sametime, the Company covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spareparts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special-purposevehicles with its Lifecycle Solutions business group. HELLA has around 36,000employees at more than 125 locations worldwide and generated sales of €4.4billion in the seven-month short fiscal year 2022.
DailyResponsibilities
  • Drive cross-functional collaboration across hardware, mechanical, test, and software teams to develop system architectures, decompose requirements into subsystem specifications, and review proposed requirement changes
  • Support new business and TTM development by meeting with customers, presenting product solutions, eliciting requirements, and contributing to strategies that attract and secure new opportunities
  • Prepare complete RFI/RFQ responses by analyzing customer requirements and delivering technical summaries, project timelines, risk assessments, and validation plans
  • Serve as the lead technical liaison between customers and internal development teams, ensuring effective coordination of system-level requirements, changes, and technical deliverables
  • Manage technical risks by owning the risk register, identifying critical issues, and defining mitigation and recovery plans
  • Monitor and control design and development activities, tracking milestones, deliverables, and work products throughout the product development lifecycle

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
  • Familiarity with automotive industry tools (e.g., DOORS Next Gen, IBM ELM, configuration management tools) and standards such as SPICE and V-Model.
  • Proficient in requirements management and modeling using UML/SysML or equivalent frameworks.
  • Experience analyzing and evaluating communication protocols, including CAN, LIN, and other automotive interfaces.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Software embedded system knowledge or background is a plus.
  • Skilled in evaluating, developing, and decomposing internal and external technical requirements.

Why Forvia Hella?
  • Hybrid work schedules and flexible core hours
  • Industry leading health benefits program
  • Lucrative PTO policy
  • Competitive 401K matching
  • Extensive career and training opportunities
  • Annual Bonuses
  • On campus restaurant as well as employee water and coffee services
  • Team and company wide events
  • And much more!

Please feelfree to apply if you do not meet 100% of the positional requirements. ForviaHella is dedicated to the development and future advancement of all ouremployees.
Even if you do not meet all our requirements, do not hesitate to apply to us, because the further development of our employees is very important to us and opens up a wide range of opportunities for you in our company.
FORVIA HELLA stands for the variety of all employees. Inclusion and diversity are firmly anchored in our company culture. We are continuously looking for new team players and welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethical and social background, age, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identity.
Please send us your application via our career portal, stating your salary requirements and earliest possible starting date, with the reference number req17681.
Eric Spence
Phone:

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