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Principal Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

RH

Principal Designer

Malibu, CA · On-site

$174K - $193K/yr

RH is seeking a Principal Designer who will pioneer the development of our design business at RH Interior Design. This is a historic opportunity to join the disruptive evolution of RH in our second ...

Restoration Hardware

Principal Designer

Malibu, CA · On-site

RH is seeking a Principal Designer who will pioneer the development of our design business at RH Interior Design. This is a historic opportunity to join the disruptive evolution of RH in our second ...

RH

Principal Designer

Malibu, CA · On-site

RH is seeking a Principal Designer who will pioneer the development of our design business at RH Interior Design. This is a historic opportunity to join the disruptive evolution of RH in our second ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

San Diego, CA · On-site

Hands-on experience designing LLM-powered experiences: streaming, progressive rendering, loading states, context and conversation management. * Deep knowledge of client and UI state management, the ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

San Diego, CA

$230K - $340K/yr

Hands-on experience designing LLM-powered experiences: streaming, progressive rendering, loading states, context and conversation management. * Deep knowledge of client and UI state management, the ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

Hands-on experience designing LLM-powered experiences: streaming, progressive rendering, loading states, context and conversation management. * Deep knowledge of client and UI state management, the ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$230K - $340K/yr

Hands-on experience designing LLM-powered experiences: streaming, progressive rendering, loading states, context and conversation management. * Deep knowledge of client and UI state management, the ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

San Diego, CA · On-site

Hands-on experience designing LLM-powered experiences: streaming, progressive rendering, loading states, context and conversation management. * Deep knowledge of client and UI state management, the ...

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All JobsPrincipal Designer JobsPrincipal Designer Jobs in California

Principal Designer information

See California salary details

$36K

$108K

$179.6K

How much do principal designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal designer in California is $107,960.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,900.00 and $123,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal designer?

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.

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 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 does a principal designer do?

A principal designer leads the design team and oversees the development of user experience and visual design for products or services. They set design strategies, ensure consistency, and collaborate with stakeholders, often using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma. This role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a deep understanding of design principles.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Designer jobs in California?

For Principal Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

Principal Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,960 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Principal Designer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Tolan
See more jobs at Tolanexternal

$200K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 hours ago

Job description

Tolan is an Embodied Companion - a cute AI alien you talk with naturally, like a friend. Tolans have their own personality and preferences, and over time form memories about you, your life, and your shared friendship.
We're an experienced team that previously founded Even, acquired for $300M in 2022. Tolan is backed by the designers and founders behind Instagram, Retro, Behance, Vimeo, and Notion. Our team works hard, with an emphasis on autonomy and ownership. We're building together in-person in downtown SF.
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 embodied AI.
What You'll Do
  • Own design projects end-to-end, from foundational product decisions to polished visual details.
  • Partner closely with engineering and product to take features from concept to production.
  • Set and maintain a high design bar across the full Tolan experience.
  • Push the boundaries of what's possible at the frontier of embodied AI interfaces.
  • Talk with real users, learn from what you ship, and iterate quickly.
Who We're Looking For
  • Experienced designer. You have 5+ years of experience owning design projects end-to-end with little oversight.
  • Consumer product chops. You've worked on consumer-facing products and taken them from concept to production, learned from real users, and iterated quickly.
  • Autonomous collaborator. You thrive in highly autonomous and collaborative environments.
  • Product-minded. You care as much about solving product problems as you do about visuals.
  • Pattern breaker. You know when to follow patterns and when to break them to make something entirely new.

Compensation: $200,000-300,000 base salary + equity + benefits

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