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Principal Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Schema Design

Principal Designer

Seattle, WA

Professional development and conference opportunities The Opportunity Schema is seeking a Principal Designer to join our Seattle-based team and help lead our design practice. As a senior design ...

Schema Design

Principal Designer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Professional development and conference opportunities The Opportunity Schema is seeking a Principal Designer to join our Seattle-based team and help lead our design practice. As a senior design ...

Tolan

Principal Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

The role We're hiring a Principal Designer to help shape the future of Tolan. You'll work in a small team to design, build, and ship features that push the boundaries of our relationship with ...

2K

Principal Designer

Los Angeles, CA

$150K - $222K/yr

What We Need As Principal Designer, you define the moment-to-moment player experience. You establish gameplay standards, systemic rules, and implementation metrics that ensure the game delivers a ...

2K

Principal Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $222K/yr

What We Need As Principal Designer, you define the moment-to-moment player experience. You establish gameplay standards, systemic rules, and implementation metrics that ensure the game delivers a ...

Zachry Group

Principal Designer Piping

Downers Grove, IL

$148K - $211K/yr

Zachry Group is currently accepting applications for a Principal Designer for our Downers Grove Design Center office location. * 15+ years of experience and knowledge in the design requirements for ...

skywater

Layout Principal Designer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site +1

This SkyWater Layout Principal Designer will primarily lead custom layout and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) activities to provide testchip collateral for semiconductor integrated circuit (IC ...

Zachry Group

Principal Designer Piping

Houston, TX · On-site

The Principal Piping Designer will be responsible in the design office for Lead engineering and design tasks of the assigned projects based on specific and detailed instructions received from the ...

Zachry Group

Principal Designer Piping

Houston, TX

The Principal Piping Designer will be responsible in the design office for Lead engineering and design tasks of the assigned projects based on specific and detailed instructions received from the ...

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All JobsPrincipal Designer Jobs

Principal Designer information

See salary details

$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do principal designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal designer in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does it mean to be a principal designer?

A principal designer is a senior-level role responsible for leading the design strategy and overseeing the overall user experience of a product or service. They often manage design teams, collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure design consistency while using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. This role typically requires extensive experience in design, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles.

What is the highest paying job in design?

The highest paying roles in design often include Principal Designer, Creative Director, or Design Director, especially in industries like technology, finance, and consulting. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with advanced design tools, and they can offer six-figure salaries or higher depending on the company and location.

What is the role of a principal designer?

A principal designer is a senior-level professional responsible for leading the design process, setting strategic vision, and ensuring design quality across projects. They often collaborate with cross-functional teams, oversee design standards, and may use tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. The role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and extensive experience in design disciplines.

How does a Principal Designer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams on large-scale projects?

As a Principal Designer, collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as product managers, engineers, researchers, and other designers—is a core aspect of the role. You will often lead design vision workshops, facilitate alignment on user experience goals, and ensure that design solutions are feasible and aligned with business objectives. Effective communication and the ability to advocate for user-centered design across disciplines are key to overcoming challenges and driving cohesive project outcomes. This collaborative environment not only fosters innovation but also provides opportunities to mentor junior team members and influence strategic decision-making.

What is higher staff or principal designer?

In most organizations, a Principal Designer is a senior-level role responsible for leading design strategy and overseeing complex projects, often with more experience and influence than a Higher Staff Designer, which is typically a mid- to senior-level position. The hierarchy varies by company, but generally, Principal Designer ranks above Staff Designer in terms of seniority and scope of responsibility.

What is the difference between Principal Designer vs Lead Designer?

AspectPrincipal DesignerLead Designer
CredentialsDesign degree, relevant certifications, extensive experienceDesign degree, experience, leadership skills
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-team collaboration, high-level project oversightProject execution, team management, creative direction
Industry UsageUsed across industries for senior design roles with strategic responsibilitiesCommonly used for team leadership in design projects

The Principal Designer typically holds a senior, strategic role focusing on overall design direction and cross-team collaboration, often with advanced credentials. The Lead Designer is more involved in managing design teams and executing creative projects. Both roles are vital in the design process but differ mainly in scope and focus.

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

To thrive as a Principal Designer, you need advanced design expertise, a strong portfolio, and experience leading creative projects, often supported by a relevant degree in design or a related field. Mastery of design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and prototyping software, as well as familiarity with design systems and industry standards, is typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills help Principal Designers guide teams and influence stakeholders. These skills are crucial for driving innovative design solutions, maintaining brand consistency, and ensuring project success across multidisciplinary teams.

What is a Principal Designer?

A Principal Designer is a senior professional in the design industry responsible for leading and overseeing the design process on major projects. They guide creative direction, manage design teams, and ensure that design solutions align with client goals and industry standards. Principal Designers often collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and other departments to deliver high-quality, innovative results. Their role typically includes mentorship, project management, and strategic planning to ensure successful project delivery.
More about Principal Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Designer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Designer job openings:
What states have the most Principal Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Principal Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Principal Designer jobs are:
Principal Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 90% Full Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 84% In-person, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.
Associate Principal Designer

Associate Principal Designer

David Weekley Homes

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

David Weekley Homes rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Company Description

David Weekley Homes, a progressive leader in the homebuilding industry and nationally recognized for award-winning designs, is seeking an Associate Principal Designer with a passion for residential architecture to join our Design team designing/updating the design of single-family homes in a variety of styles across the country.

Job Description
  • Assist Principal/Sr. Principal Designers in the conceptual design of state-of-the-art products across multiple markets in the US.
  • Assist Principal/Sr. Principal Designers in the development of new floor plans and elevations based on program, community, market, and cost requirements & considerations.
  • Assist Principal/Sr. Principal Designers with modifications/updates to existing plans & elevations to meet new community requirements.
  • Prepare presentation materials for internal reviews and executive leadership.
  • Participate in product call meetings and weekly regional team meetings.
  • Assist Principal/Sr. Principal Designers with design revisions based on feedback from cross-functional teams.
  • Analyze & compile existing plans from Plan Library for re-use in new communities.
  • Perform program (product line) analysis.
  • Analyze product from competitors and keep current with market trends & research.
  • Communicate with Principal/Sr. Principal Designers, Regional Directors of Product, Design Project Managers, and Design Team Members throughout the Concept & Development stages of design.
Qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience in concept/schematic design within the residential industry. 
  • Experience utilizing AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit systems. SketchUp experience a plus. 
Additional Information
  • Quarterly travel to visit different markets. 
  • Hybrid work schedule available. 

What We Offer:

Come build your future with our winning team, recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" 19 times! David Weekley Homes builds in 19 markets across the U.S. and is one of the largest private home builders in America. 

We offer an excellent benefits package that includes:

  • Health Insurance - Medical, Dental and Vision
  • 401k and discretionary 8% match
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan
  • Profit Sharing
  • Vacation, Paid Holidays, plus PTO
  • New Home Discount for Team Member and Family
  • College Scholarship Program
  • Community Outreach
  • Sabbaticals
  • And more!

David Weekley Homes is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any status protected by state or federal law.

Note to Job Seekers: No telephone calls or walk-ins please. Interviews are by appointment only. Your resume will be reviewed and qualified candidates may be contacted in the event of a potential job match, or if further information is needed.

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