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Principal Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability ...

Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability ...

Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability ...

Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability ...

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 ...

Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability ...

Principal Designer, TIDAL

New York, NY · On-site

$251K - $377K/yr

We're looking for a Principal Product Designer to set the vision and quality bar across TIDAL's product and brand ecosystem. You will be a foundational design voice on a small team where your work ...

Principal Designer, TIDAL

New York, NY · On-site

$169K - $208K/yr

We're looking for a Principal Product Designer to set the vision and quality bar across TIDAL's product and brand ecosystem. You will be a foundational design voice on a small team where your work ...

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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:
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 Designer - Piping

Principal Designer - Piping

Fluor Corporation

Greenville, SC • On-site

$95K - $176K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Fluor rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

247th of 355 rated engineering


Job description

At Fluor, we are proud to design and build projects and careers. We are committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative work environment that encourages big-picture thinking, brings out the best in our employees, and helps us develop innovative solutions that contribute to building a better world together. If this sounds like a culture you would like to work in, you're invited to apply for this role.
Fluor is a leading government contractor with a proven track record of delivering high-value technical solutions around the world to U.S. government agencies such as the DOE, NNSA, the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.
Job Description
Operating under detailed instructions and review the purpose of this position is to provide the essential technical knowledge and perform the work listed. This role has the responsibility to promote Fluor's competitiveness within the global marketplace by delivering quality services of unmatched value and technical competence. The purpose of this position is to work on design and perform 3D layout of complex scope and may serve as Design Area Lead.
• Conduct review of model using 3D review platform and create 3D models of moderate to advanced complexity
• Apply project drawing standards to design drawings and 3D layout
• Prepare 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings of advanced complexity
• Review drawings and vendor equipment documentation of advanced complexity within the discipline and from other disciplines for compliance with project requirements, and actively seek discrepancy resolution
• Perform bulk material take-off analysis and tabulations
• Adhere to industry codes and standards as well as department practices and procedures
• Other duties as assigned
Basic Job Requirements
• Accredited two (2) year degree or global equivalent in technical field of study, or; A combination of education and directly related experience equal to fifteen (15) years*; some locations may have additional or different qualifications in order to comply with local requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively with audiences that include but are not limited to management, coworkers, clients, vendors, contractors, and visitors
• Job related technical knowledge necessary to complete the job
• Ability to learn and apply knowledge of applicable local, state/province, and federal/national statutes and guidelines
• Ability to attend to detail and work in a time-conscious and time-effective manner
• Knowledge of commercial availability and cost of materials
• Practical field experience
• Intermediate computer and software skills to include the use of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet and electronic presentation programs
Other Job Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
  • Must be able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by governing law.
Benefits Statement: Fluor is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote employee health, wellness, and financial security. Our offerings include medical, dental and vision plans, EAP, disability coverage, life insurance, AD&D, voluntary benefit plans, 401(k) with a company match, paid time off (personal, bereavement, sick, holidays) for salaried employees, paid sick leave per state requirement for craft employees, parental leave, and training and development courses.
Market Rate Statement: The market rate for the role is typically at the mid-point of the salary range; however, variations in final salary are determined by additional factors such as the candidate's qualifications, relevant years of experience, geographic location, internal pay equity, and prevailing market conditions for the specific role.
Notice to Candidates: Background checks are carried out as part of any conditional offer made, including (but not limited to & role dependent) education, professional registration, employment, references, passport verifications and Global Watchlist screening.
To be Considered Candidates: Must be authorized to work in the country where the position is located.
Salary Range: $95,500.00 - $176,500.00

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About Fluor

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Fluor provides technical and professional solutions that deliver safe, well-executed, capital efficient projects to clients around the world. Fluor has been providing engineering, procurement, and construction services for more than 100 years. Our focus on innovation and providing cost-effective technology-based solutions to address our client's needs is second to none. As we look to the future, we need creative, ambitious, and innovative professionals who can help us achieve our goals.

Industry

Construction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irving, TX, US

Year founded

1912

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