1

Outdoor Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it ... Lead the mechanical development of ECUs, helping design our next gen internal compute. * Partner ...

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it ... Lead the mechanical development of ECUs, helping design our next gen internal compute. * Partner ...

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it ... Complete component design verification plans to ensure we deliver low mass, low cost, yet durable ...

Experience designing purpose-built, outdoor-rated metal enclosures. * Experience with interface design between metal structures and concrete or refractory systems. * Experience with GD&T and ...

Battery Design Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$120 - $190/hr

... outdoor recreation and retail spaces. Together we're working hands‑on to imagine, design and ... build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges. #J-18808-Ljbffr

New

... outdoor recreation and retail spaces. Together we're working hands-on to imagine, design and build ... an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.

Staff Product Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$152K - $182K/yr

Demonstrated experience designing for automotive, outdoor, industrial, or consumer products * Proficiency in plastic/metal part design, CAD modeling, and drafting, preferably using NX * BS degree in ...

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it ... Collaboratively design and develop electrical hardware components from concept to launch ...

Showing results 21-40

Outdoor Design information

See California salary details

$41.5K

$113K

$198.9K

How much do outdoor design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for outdoor 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 an outdoor design?

An Outdoor Design job involves planning, creating, and enhancing outdoor spaces such as gardens, parks, patios, and commercial landscapes. Professionals in this field use aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability principles to design spaces that improve usability and visual appeal. They may work with materials like plants, stone, wood, and water features to create harmonious environments. Outdoor designers collaborate with clients, architects, and contractors to bring their designs to life.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of someone working in outdoor design?

Daily responsibilities in Outdoor Design often include meeting with clients to discuss project goals, developing conceptual and detailed landscape plans, and collaborating with contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure designs are feasible and meet regulations. You’ll frequently conduct site visits to assess environmental conditions, oversee project progress, and select appropriate materials and plant species for each site. Additionally, outdoor designers often prepare and present design proposals and budgets, using design software and manual sketches. The role involves a mix of creative design work in the office and hands-on site management, making it both dynamic and rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the outdoor design position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Outdoor Design, you typically need expertise in landscape architecture, horticulture, spatial planning, and a degree or certification in a relevant field. Familiarity with design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and GIS mapping tools, as well as knowledge of building codes and sustainable design certifications, is important. Creativity, effective client communication, and project management abilities are key soft skills that help set you apart in this role. These competencies ensure functional, visually appealing, and sustainable outdoor spaces that meet client needs and industry standards.

Is outdoor design a good career?

Outdoor design is a viable career that involves creating functional and aesthetic outdoor spaces, often requiring skills in landscape architecture, horticulture, and design software. It offers opportunities in residential, commercial, and public projects, with work environments that are primarily outdoors and may require certifications or degrees in related fields.

What job should I do if I love the outdoors?

Outdoor design jobs include landscape architects, environmental planners, and outdoor space designers, focusing on creating and maintaining outdoor environments. These roles often require knowledge of horticulture, design software, and environmental regulations, and may involve working outdoors in various weather conditions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Outdoor Design jobs in California?

The most popular types of Outdoor Design jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Outdoor Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 79% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $112,992 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, ECU

Rivian

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

$149K - $187K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Rivian rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 159 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

21st of 45 rated automakers


Job description

About Rivian
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
Role Summary
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious courageous souls we seek to attract. We constantly challenge what is possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
If you are aligned with this mission, we want you to join our team. We're looking for a highly motivated, experienced, multi-disciplined, mechanical engineer to challenge what is possible in the development of our electronic hardware components. Help Rivian lead the way in the future of the EV industry.
Responsibilities
  • Lead the mechanical development of ECUs, helping design our next gen internal compute.
  • Partner with domain teams and mechanical architecture team to define mechanical component requirements and complete trade studies to optimize integration for performance, manufacturing, and service.
  • Develop PCB MCOs, enclosure designs, thermal management designs, Working with EEs and a CAE group to evaluate and validate designs.
  • Make component drawings, do tolerance analysis studies, documenting design and design process.
  • Support thermal and FEA studies to optimize design of components within our vehicles.
  • Use first principles to identify and solve issues through critical thinking and scientific engineering methodologies.
  • Develop and document component mechanical functional requirements based on product requirements for custom, semi-custom, and off-the-shelf components.
  • Complete component design verification plans to ensure we deliver low mass, low cost, yet durable parts and modules to the vehicle program.
  • Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications
  • At least 10+ years industry experience within automotive or other industries, experience in autonomy preferred, priority given to experience in ECU development.
  • B.S degree (or above), in mechanical engineering, or relevant equivalent experience.
  • Experience designing components and /or systems that include mechanism design, thermal design, PCB integration, sensor integration, user interface/user experience (UI/UX) considerations, and class A surface integration.
  • Experience leading cross functional teams to innovate and drive new ideas and solutions into products.
  • Experience leading the design of components and/or systems that include PCB design, thermal design, PCB integration.
  • Lead problem solving electrical system challenges, solving grounding, thermal and structural challenges.
  • Be a proficient CAD designer, ideally within Catia V5 / V6 / 3DX, though other equivalent systems will be considered. Advanced surfacing and solid modelling expertise is preferred, along with strong CAD structure/organizational skills.
  • Great problem solving and communication skills.
  • Lead component drawing creation including GD&T to ASME Y14.5 standards in support of applicable tolerance analyses.
  • Ability to identify optimization opportunities from CAE/testing results.
  • Experience manufacturing methods such as sheet metal brake-press and stamping, injection molded plastic, cast metals, CNC machining, 3D printing etc.
  • Experience in EV vehicle systems, automotive design and manufacturing practices, and low-voltage electrical system integration. Direct experience is preferred.
  • Experience leading DFMEA processes and execution.

Pay Disclosure
The salary range for this role is $149,000 - $187,000 for Palo Alto based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.
You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than April 10, 2026.
Equal Opportunity
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at
Candidate Data Privacy and Technology
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes ("Candidate Personal Data"). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
How We Use AI in Our Hiring Process: To ensure transparency, we want candidates to know that Rivian uses iCIMS Talent Cloud Artificial Intelligence (TCAI) and AI-enabled tools to assist with screening, reviewing, organizing and highlighting profiles and applications that match the key requirements for each role.
AI does not make hiring decisions: Qualified candidate applications are reviewed by a member of our team, and all decisions throughout the process are made by humans. We use AI to support efficiency and consistency, not to replace human judgment. We are committed to a fair, thoughtful, and equitable experience for every candidate.
Participation in AI profile matching is entirely voluntary. If you prefer that your profile not be used in this process, you can opt out at any time. Opting out means your profile will be excluded from automated matching and will not be surfaced for additional roles through this system. Your current application remains active and will not be affected in any way.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.

What Rivian employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Rivian logo

About Rivian

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Rivian is a pioneering automotive industry player headquartered in Irvine, California. Established in 2009, the company has made notable advancements in developing sustainable transportation solutions. It is widely recognized for its electric adventure vehicles: the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. Rivian is dedicated to creating a positive shift in societal mobility and emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and adventure as part of its core values. Their mission is to keep the world adventurous forever - a testament to their commitment in transitioning the world to sustainable transportation. Rivian's achievements are numerous, with one of the most notable being securing a significant multi-billion dollar investment from Amazon for the production of electric delivery vans.

Industry

Automobile dealers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

2009