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Lead Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Whether you're currently a Lead Designer ready for a broader challenge or an established Design Director looking to work across multiple projects and genres, this is an opportunity to have a ...

Lead Designer

Carson, CA · On-site

$8.0K/mo

Lead Designer - Electrical and Instrumentation (E/I) Job Summary Marathon Petroleum Company LP (MPC) Los Angeles Refinery has an opening for a Lead Designer (E/I) in Carson/Wilmington, California.

Whether you're currently a Lead Designer ready for a broader challenge or an established Design Director looking to work across multiple projects and genres, this is an opportunity to have a ...

Lead Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $160K/yr

Lead Designer Role As a Lead Designer at Hive, you will be responsible for overseeing all UI/UX design processes and ensuring that projects are being executed both excellently and efficiently. You ...

Lead Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$127K - $190K/yr

Who You Are: We're looking for a Lead Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. This role will be a key leader on one of our major gameplay pillars to lead ...

Lead Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$127K - $190K/yr

Who You Are: We're looking for a Lead Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. This role will be a key leader on one of our major gameplay pillars to lead ...

Experience leading creative workstreams or acting as a design lead on key projects , with increasing ownership of outcomes * Demonstrated ability to mentor, guide, or informally manage designers ...

Lead Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $160K/yr

Lead Designer Role As a Lead Designer at Hive, you will be responsible for overseeing all UI/UX design processes and ensuring that projects are being executed both excellently and efficiently. You ...

Lead Designer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$105K - $137K/yr

Experience leading creative workstreams or acting as a design lead on key projects , with increasing ownership of outcomes * Demonstrated ability to mentor, guide, or informally manage designers ...

As Lead Designer, you will be involved in every aspect of the product development process, from brainstorming the next great product innovation to tweaking pixels right before launch. You will be ...

Experience leading creative workstreams or acting as a design lead on key projects , with increasing ownership of outcomes * Demonstrated ability to mentor, guide, or informally manage designers ...

Lead Designer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

Lead Designer Position Details Location: Los Angeles (Hawthorne), CA Employment Type: Full-time Department: Design / Starlight Solar Travel: Occasional About Starpath Starpath develops and ...

Lead Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$127K - $190K/yr

Who You Are: We're looking for a Lead Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. This role will be a key leader on one of our major gameplay pillars to lead ...

Lead Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$127K - $190K/yr

Who You Are: We're looking for a Lead Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. This role will be a key leader on one of our major gameplay pillars to lead ...

Lead Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$127K - $190K/yr

Who You Are: We're looking for a Lead Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. This role will be a key leader on one of our major gameplay pillars to lead ...

Introduction Foundation is hiring a lead designer to accelerate our core business, modernize homebuilding, and transform the experience of buying, selling, and owning homes. About Foundation Backed ...

Lead Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site +1

$127K - $190K/yr

Who You Are: We're looking for a Lead Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. This role will be a key leader on one of our major gameplay pillars to lead ...

Lead Designer - Teva Reports to: Sr. Manager, Product Line - Outdoor Performance Location: Goleta, CA - Hybrid Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday - Thursday The Role As Lead Designer ...

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Showing results 1-20

Lead Designer information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$90K

$154.9K

How much do lead designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead designer in California is $89,967.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,600.00 and $108,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead designer?

A lead designer is in charge of the creative aspects of a project. As a lead designer, you may work with a creative director to oversee design of a video game, a multimedia project, or website. Your job duties in this career include meeting with clients to assess their needs, creating a framework for the project, and working with an art team to execute the plan according to specifications. Qualifications vary, depending on the employer, but lead designers typically need a bachelor’s degree and several years of industry experience.

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

To thrive as a Lead Designer, you need advanced design skills, a strong portfolio, and experience with design principles and team leadership, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or Sketch, and familiarity with project management systems are essential. Exceptional communication, creative problem-solving, and leadership abilities help you guide teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills ensure the delivery of innovative, cohesive designs that align with business goals and drive project success.

How does a lead designer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

A Lead Designer frequently works cross-functionally, coordinating closely with product managers, developers, and marketing teams to ensure design solutions align with business objectives and technical constraints. They often participate in strategy meetings, provide design direction, and facilitate feedback sessions to harmonize the visual and functional aspects of a project. This collaboration helps maintain consistency in user experience and brand identity while ensuring that deliverables meet deadlines and stakeholder expectations.

What is the difference between Lead Designer vs Senior Designer?

AspectLead DesignerSenior Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees design projects, manages design team, sets creative directionExecutes design tasks, develops concepts, and contributes to projects independently
Required SkillsStrong leadership, project management, advanced design skillsAdvanced design skills, creativity, problem-solving
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, team leadership, client interactionFocused on individual contribution, team collaboration
Common UsageUsed in agencies, tech companies, large organizationsUsed across similar industries, often as a senior individual contributor

The main difference between a Lead Designer and a Senior Designer lies in their scope of responsibilities. Lead Designers typically manage teams and oversee projects, while Senior Designers focus on executing complex design tasks independently. Both roles require advanced design skills, but Lead Designers also need leadership and project management abilities.

What does a lead designer do?

A lead designer oversees the creative process of a project, guiding design teams to develop visual concepts and ensure consistency with project goals. They collaborate with stakeholders, provide feedback, and often use design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Strong leadership, communication skills, and a solid understanding of design principles are essential for this role.

What job categories do people searching Lead Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Designer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lead Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lead Designer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Lead Designer jobs in CA?

For Lead Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Lead Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,967 per year, or $43.3 per hour.

Lead Designer

Carson, CA • On-site


Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC)
Oil and Gas Extraction • 10K+ employees

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 203 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 87 rated oil and gas companies

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Paid breaks


$8.0K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

An exciting career awaits you
At MPC, we're committed to being a great place to work - one that welcomes new ideas, encourages diverse perspectives, develops our people, and fosters a collaborative team environment.
Lead Designer - Electrical and Instrumentation (E/I)
Job Summary
Marathon Petroleum Company LP (MPC) Los Angeles Refinery has an opening for a Lead Designer (E/I) in Carson/Wilmington, California. The Lead Designer (E/I) is responsible for developing cost-effective project designs by understanding project needs and then recommending best discipline specific routing which incorporates factors such as construction practices, regulatory factors, ergonomics, materials limitations and safety.
Must be able to work onsite for one of the available schedules for the position which are either 9/80 or 5/40 , must be able to work after hours as needed and support TAR once year. Core Business hours are: 7:00 AM - 3 PM.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develops cost-effective project designs by understanding project needs and then recommending best discipline specific routing which incorporates factors such as construction practices, regulatory factors, ergonomics, materials limitations and safety.
  • Creates concise and coherent bid / construction packages by applying knowledge of industry and computer-aided design (CAD) software along with other designing / drafting equipment per their discipline (SI, Plant 3D, etc.).
  • Develops detailed bills of materials utilizing current company standards and industry best practices in order to help with creation of cost estimates.
  • Acquires data and information needed for a successful design by communicating with internal and external contacts, visiting project/field sites, utilizing point cloud data as needed and reviewing historical drawings.
  • Performs all necessary field visits including coordination with craftsmen to assist with verifying instrument termination points or verifying electrical spares per drawings as well as obtaining precise measurements and verifying dimensions and routings.
  • Manages multiple programs, projects and assignments in a timely, safe and cost-effective manner. Ensures that project schedules and milestones are achieved and develops strategies for fast tracking areas of concern.
  • Manages multiple programs, projects and assignments in a timely, safe and cost-effective manner. Ensures that project schedules and milestones are achieved and develops strategies for fast tracking areas of concern.
  • Develops and modifies instrumentation installation, wiring, termination and construction drawings utilizing AutoCAD, Raster Design and SmartPlant Instrumentation (SPI) to produce accurate engineering and construction documentation.
  • Identifies and develops instrument cable routing, termination, marshalling and DCS I/O connections from field instrumentation to the designated control system point in accordance with refinery standards.
  • Develops instrumentation installation details, support details, mounting arrangements and material requirements to ensure safe, constructible and maintainable field installations.
  • Prepares complete instrumentation construction packages from initial concept through Issued for Construction (IFC) and final As-Built documentation, incorporating design reviews, construction revisions and field redlines.

Education, Experience and Skills
Minimum Qualifications
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED. (Education must be obtained/completed prior to start date.)
  • Must have at least 8 years of design experience supporting an Engineering department with at least 4 of those years of experience focused on Electrical and Instrumentation in a refinery, petro-chemical or other related industry.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft 365: Word, Excel and Outlook.
  • Must be proficient with AutoCAD and Raster Design.
  • Must be able to wear appropriate PPE, be able to physically perform all tasks in the field and take hair drug test and physical.
  • Must have a valid driver's license.
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the US without the need for future VISA sponsorship.
  • Travel Requirement is 5% or less.
  • Must be able to work onsite for one of the available schedules for the position which are either 9/80 or 5/40 , must be able to work after hours as needed and support TAR once year. Core Business hours are: 7:00 AM - 3 PM.

Preferred Qualifications
  • SmartPlant Instrumentation (SI) is preferred.

This job will posted through Friday, Aug 28, 2026.
Relocation Information
Relocation is not available.
Benefits Information
Learn more about Marathon Petroleum's benefits at https://mympcbenefits.com/
This position belongs to a family of jobs with increasing responsibility, competency and skill level. Actual position title and pay grade will be based on the selected candidate's experience and qualifications.
As an energy industry leader, our career opportunities fuel personal and professional growth.
Location:
Carson, California
Job Requisition ID:
00023457
Pay Min/Max:
$80,800.00 - $121,200.00 Salary
Grade:
N7
Location Address:
2350 E 223rd St
Additional locations:
Education:
High School (Required)
Employee Group:
Full time
Employee Subgroup:
Regular
Marathon Petroleum Company LP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, reproductive health decision-making, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition or AIDS/HIV status, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, military, veteran status, marital status, citizenship or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, click here.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process at Marathon Petroleum LP, please contact our Human Resources Department at talentacquisition@marathonpetroleum.com. Please specify the reasonable accommodation you are requesting, along with the job posting number in which you may be interested. A Human Resources representative will review your request and contact you to discuss a reasonable accommodation. Marathon Petroleum offers a total rewards program which includes, but is not limited to, access to health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off, 401k matching program, paid parental leave, and educational reimbursement. Detailed benefit information is available at mympcbenefits.com. The hired candidate will also be eligible for a discretionary company-sponsored annual bonus program.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Veteran / Disability
We will consider all qualified Applicants for employment, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. In reviewing criminal history in connection with a conditional offer of employment, Marathon will consider the key responsibilities of the role.

Marathon Petroleum logo

About Marathon Petroleum

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Marathon Petroleum Corporation, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, US, is a leading independent petroleum refining, marketing, and transportation company. Their official website can be found at marathonpetroleum.com. The company, part of the energy sector, was established in 1887, making it one of the oldest petroleum companies in the US. It operates an integrated refining, marketing and transportation system concentrated primarily in the Midwest, Northeast, East Coast, Southeast and Gulf Coast of the United States. This includes refineries, pipelines, and terminals that process and transport crude oil and refined products.

Industry

Oil and gas extraction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Findlay, OH, US

Year founded

1887


What Marathon Petroleum employees say

Pay

Benefits

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