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Production Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Ahrefs

Product Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Ahrefs is seeking a strong Product Designer to join our Product team. This is a senior role that goes beyond traditional design responsibilities. In our company, we don't have a conventional product ...

CRI Genetics

Product Designer

Redondo Beach, CA · On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Vision

  • PTO

Product Designer for a Genetics Company expanding into AI, and Wearable Tech CRI Genetics has spent a decade turning encrypted DNA into readable answers. We have 300+ ancestry, health, and wellness ...

BridgePoint Associates

Product Designer

Berkeley, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

Product Designer San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid) - Relocation Assistance Provided Early-Stage Nonprofit Salary: $100,000 to $150,000, with potential flexibility based on experience. Terrific Product ...

BridgePoint Associates

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

Product Designer San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid) - Relocation Assistance Provided Early-Stage Nonprofit Salary: $100,000 to $150,000, with potential flexibility based on experience. Terrific Product ...

BridgePoint Associates

Product Designer

Alameda, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

Product Designer San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid) - Relocation Assistance Provided Early-Stage Nonprofit Salary: $100,000 to $150,000, with potential flexibility based on experience. Terrific Product ...

BridgePoint Associates

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Product Designer San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid) - Relocation Assistance Provided Early-Stage Nonprofit Salary: $100,000 to $150,000, with potential flexibility based on experience. Terrific Product ...

BridgePoint Associates

Product Designer

San Jose, CA · Hybrid

$100K - $150K/yr

Product Designer San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid) - Relocation Assistance Provided Early-Stage Nonprofit Salary: $100,000 to $150,000, with potential flexibility based on experience. Terrific Product ...

ABC Industries

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA

Product Designer responsibilities include defining product specifications, creating digital or print drawings and designing fully-functional products. To be successful in this role, you should have ...

ABC Industries

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Product Designer responsibilities include defining product specifications, creating digital or print drawings and designing fully-functional products. To be successful in this role, you should have ...

Super Company

Product Designer

Mountain View, CA

$50K - $100K/yr

Super Company is seeking a Product Designer to help design intuitive, user-centered product experiences in an onsite setting. Position Summary As a Product Designer at Super Company, you will ...

Factory

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Product Designer Responsibilities Factory is looking for product designers that define how developers interact with autonomous software agents across Factory's CLI, desktop app, web platform, and ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

As a key member of the art leadership team, the role will collaborate closely with the Director, Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and report directly to the studio's Head of Costume ...

Skydance

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA

$2.9K - $4.0K/wk

As a key member of the art leadership team, the role will collaborate closely with the Director, Production Designer, Lead Character Designer, and report directly to the studio's Head of Costume ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Designer

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers, industrial designers, modelers, and project managers. The Experience Strategy & Design team is a hybrid ...

Ford Motor Company

Product Designer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

Our team is comprised of a dynamic group of product designers, researchers, visual designers, industrial designers, modelers, and project managers. The Experience Strategy & Design team is a hybrid ...

CMP.jobs

Staff Product Designer

San Francisco, CA

We need an experienced product designer who's worked in collaborative B2B enterprise apps and can help bring those insights to fill the design gap on our team (currently, we have 2 product designers ...

Luminai, Inc

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $225K/yr

  • Medical

  • Vision

... production environments. Your work will directly impact adoption, trust, and long-term product scalability. This role is ideal for a designer who enjoys working on complex systems, thrives in ...

Jinba

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

You'll be the product designer at a fast-moving AI company, shaping how enterprises interact with automation tools from the ground up. Until now, our founders and design engineers have owned UI/UX. ...

Los Angeles Dodgers

Product Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Product Designer Department: Baseball Operations - Product Development Status: Full-Time/Non-Union Pay Rate: $135,000 - $150,000/annual* FLSA: Exempt Reports to: Director, Baseball Product ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProduction Designer JobsProduction Designer Jobs in California

Production Designer information

See California salary details

$14

$34

$65

How much do production designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for production designer in California is $34.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.62 and $48.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Production Designer, you need expertise in visual storytelling, set design, and art direction, often supported by a degree in theatre, film, or design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and CAD programs, as well as experience managing budgets and production schedules, is typically required. Strong collaboration, creativity, and leadership skills help Production Designers work effectively with directors, producers, and crew. These competencies ensure the visual coherence and impact of a production, helping to bring creative visions to life within project constraints.

How much does the average production designer make?

The average production designer earns around $60,000 to $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or highly experienced production designers can earn over $100,000, especially in major markets or high-budget projects.

What qualifications do you need to be a production designer?

Production designers typically need a bachelor's degree in design, fine arts, or a related field, along with strong visual and artistic skills. Experience in set design, proficiency with design software like AutoCAD or Photoshop, and a good understanding of film or theater production processes are also important.

What is the difference between Production Designer vs Art Director?

AspectProduction DesignerArt Director
CredentialsRelevant degree in design, architecture, or related field; experience in film or TV productionSimilar credentials; often with experience in art and design roles in media
Work EnvironmentFilm, TV, theater, or commercial production setsFilm, TV, advertising, and media production environments
Industry UsagePrimarily in film, TV, and theaterCommonly in film, TV, advertising, and media industries

While both roles involve visual design and collaboration on media projects, the Production Designer is responsible for the overall visual concept and environment, whereas the Art Director manages the execution of that vision, overseeing the art department and design team.

What are some common challenges production designers face when collaborating with directors and other creative teams?

Production designers often encounter challenges balancing their creative vision with the director’s concepts and the practical limitations of budgets and timelines. Effective communication is essential, as the role requires translating abstract ideas into tangible sets and visual elements that align with the overall story. Additionally, production designers must collaborate closely with costume, lighting, and props departments to ensure a cohesive visual style across all aspects of the production. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are crucial to adapt quickly to changes in script, location, or resources.

What does a production designer do?

A Production Designer is responsible for the overall visual look and feel of a film, television show, theater production, or commercial. They work closely with the director and other key departments to design and create sets, locations, graphics, props, lighting, and costumes that bring the story to life. Their work ensures that every visual element supports the narrative and enhances the audience's experience. Production Designers also manage art department budgets, supervise set construction, and ensure that the design vision is carried out throughout the project.

What is a production designer?

A production designer works in a film, TV, or theater art department. As a production designer, you have a crucial role in set design and creating the visual tone of a production. Your job duties involve working closely with the head of the department, as well as directors and producers, to come up with the right visual style for the story. You are responsible for making or securing props, developing lighting, directing other people in your department, and discussing all aspects of the production’s visual elements with the costume designers and set designers.

More about Production Designer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Production Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Production Designer jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Production Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Production Designer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Production Designer jobs in CA?

For Production Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Production Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Production Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,726 per year, or $35 per hour.

Product Designer

Ahrefs

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Ahrefs is seeking a strong Product Designer to join our Product team. This is a senior role that goes beyond traditional design responsibilities. In our company, we don't have a conventional product manager role, so our product designers take full ownership of their products, combining design, product management, and leadership skills. You'll work closely with engineers and data scientists, leading projects from initial ideas through release, managing ongoing improvements and support.
This role is based out of our Palo Alto, California office. Our product designers work side by side with engineers and data scientists day to day, so you'll be based in the Palo Alto office. This is an on-site role.
What you'll be doing
  • Contribute to shaping the roadmap for your product, working closely with leadership, Marketing (heavy users of our product), and Sales teams.
  • Conduct research to understand user and business needs. Dive into technical details to identify possibilities and limitations.
  • Sketch and prototype ideas to quickly validate their viability. Design elegant and intuitive interfaces, and drive them all the way to the final product.
  • Lead projects, working with engineers and data scientists as you build, iterate on, and ship your products.
  • Align and collaborate with other product designers to ensure a holistic user experience across the entire platform.
Requirements
  • Experience designing interfaces and workflows for complex software products.
  • Ability to manage projects from idea to launch.
  • Strong visual taste and design skills.
  • Ability to create high-fidelity mockups with great attention to detail.
  • Ability to create prototypes to validate product ideas.
  • Ability to collect and analyze data from a wide variety of sources.
  • Understanding of software architecture and development processes, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present and articulate product and design decisions effectively.

Location: Palo Alto, CA - on-site
Ahrefs does not engage with agencies or third party recruitment solutions for the roles we hire for. If at any point we need help, we'll let you know!

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