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Principal Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

EGS

(I&C) Control Systems Designer

Houston, TX · On-site

$85 - $101/hr

Senior Design Specialist: $76-$91/hour Senior Designer: $78-$94/hour Principal Designer: $85-$101/hour Position Overview Seeking experienced Control Systems Designers to support major nuclear power ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

Washington, DC · 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 ...

New

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

Washington, DC · 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)

Dallas, TX · 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 · 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 ...

New

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

Charleston, WV

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 ...

New

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

Dallas, TX

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 ...

New

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 ...

Zachry Group

Principal Designer C/S

Houston, TX

Zachry Engineering Corporation (ZEC) is seeking a Principal Civil Structural Designer to drive engineering excellence in our Houston Westchase office. We're looking for a powerhouse in steel and ...

Shield AI

Principal Designer (R5250)

San Diego, CA

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 Jobs

Principal Designer information

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$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:
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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.

PRINCIPAL CIVIL STRUCTURAL DESIGNER (CADWORX)

Gulf Interstate

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Description:

Position Title: Principal Designer – Civil/Structural

Location: Houston, TX


Position Description

Gulf Companies has served the global energy industry since 1953 by supporting the complete project lifecycle and developing valued business partnerships to ensure the success of the project. Our worldwide experience and multi-disciplined capabilities encompass all aspects of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management, Field Inspection, GIS Integrity, Staffing Services and more.


The Principal Designer – Civil/Structural is responsible for performing detail design activities within the Civil/Structural discipline.


Essential Functions

  • Perform complex designs and layouts of concrete foundations, structural steel supports and platforms, civil site layouts and steel buildings utilizing CAD hardware and software
  • Review vendor drawings and other documents
  • Train and direct CAD operators and Designers as required
  • Ability to function in lead roles on projects

#LI-RG1

Requirements:

Qualifications

  • 10 or more years of experience in a drafting environment developing foundation drawings, structural steel access platform drawings and pipe supports and civil site work drawings for grading and paving
  • 5 years of CAD experience, including 3D Design, CadWorx required
  • Working knowledge of applicable codes and industry standards.
  • Previous project leadership preferred
  • AutoCAD 2012 and Civil 3D for site design preferred
  • Ability to create drawings from engineering input, vendor data, etc.


Education


High school diploma. Associate's degree or certification from technical trade school preferred.



Competencies

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Results oriented
  • Customer focused
  • Good oral and written communication skills

Work Environment/Physical Demands

  • Working conditions are normal for an office environment.
  • Frequent sitting and operating a computer.
  • Must be able to use body members to work, move or carry objects or office materials.
  • Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
  • Physical demands requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.



Gulf is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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