1

Prop Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Production Designer Location: Hybrid (Burbank/North Hollywood, CA) What You'll Be Doing: The ... Anticipate prop needs during pre-production based on scripts and creative briefs, and assist with ...

Reference Designer About TrueShort TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the ... Examples of character, prop, or environment design work * Optional: links to any animation, film ...

As a Set Designer , you'll transform creative concepts into visually compelling environments that ... Every wall, prop, color palette, and furniture choice contributes to the story we're telling and ...

... prop, internal workflows for our team, detailed designs for features and business logic, look and feel of the final product, and the under the hood software architecture. • Turn large-but-poorly ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Prop Designer information

See California salary details

$35K

$82.1K

$108.6K

How much do prop designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for prop designer in California is $82,059.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,200.00 and $107,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

Succeeding as a Prop Designer requires a strong background in art and design, creativity, and attention to detail, often backed by a degree in fine arts, industrial design, or a related field. Proficiency in digital illustration tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, 3D modeling software, and sometimes traditional sculpting or model-making is typically expected. Excellent communication, adaptability, and time management skills help a Prop Designer collaborate effectively and manage deadlines. These abilities ensure that props are both visually compelling and feasible for production, meeting creative and practical needs in fields like film, television, or theater.

What does a prop designer do?

A Prop Designer is responsible for creating the visual design of props used in animated films, TV shows, or video games. They sketch, refine, and develop props that fit the overall style and storytelling of a project. Prop Designers collaborate with art directors, character designers, and set designers to ensure consistency and functionality. Their work helps bring depth and authenticity to a story’s environment, enhancing the visual appeal and immersion.

How do you become a prop designer?

To become a prop designer, individuals typically need a background in art, design, or a related field, along with skills in 3D modeling, sculpture, or fabrication. Gaining experience through internships, building a strong portfolio, and proficiency with tools like Photoshop or CAD software are important steps in entering the profession.

What does a typical workflow look like for a prop designer, and how do they interact with other members of the production team?

A typical workflow for a Prop Designer involves interpreting scripts or creative briefs to conceptualize and illustrate props, followed by developing detailed drawings or 3D models for approval. Prop Designers work closely with art directors, costume designers, set builders, and sometimes fabricators to ensure their designs fit the overall aesthetic and practical requirements of the production. Throughout the process, they participate in meetings, revise designs based on feedback, and help solve any practical challenges that arise during construction or use on set. Regular collaboration and open communication are essential, as prop designers' work directly supports the visual storytelling and smooth operation of the project.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prop Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Prop Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Prop Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Prop Designer job openings:
Infographic showing various Prop Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,059 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Prop Team Shift Lead

Physical Intelligence

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Physical Intelligence is bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world. We are a group of engineers, scientists, roboticists, and company builders developing learning algorithms to create a model that will control any robot to do any task.
The Team
"Props" are the physical objects that robots interact with - the items a robot manipulates, or that sit in the background of a scene - during data collection and research work. The Prop Team keeps the right objects staged, tracked, and available so that collection can run smoothly. This role leads the team's hourly staff and manages the flow of incoming prop requests across the team's areas of work, making sure each request is fulfilled reliably.
In This Role You Will
  • Direct the Request Queue & Upkeep Work: Assign incoming and recurring prop requests across the shift, unblock people, and keep the queue moving so it clears within its service-level targets. Direct recurring upkeep work including central inventory management, staging stations, and labeling and QR-coding bins. Occasionally step in hands-on when the team is short-staffed or a request is time-sensitive - the exception, not the rule.
  • Lead & Manage the Team: Manage a team of people across all our shifts. Run check-ins and coaching, facilitate trials for prospective new team members, manage time cards, and coordinate with the staffing vendor/agency.
  • Audit & Coordinate: Audit the work of Prop Team members against the queue, coordinate with the operations leads and researchers who submit prop requests, and deliver feedback and requirements on tooling - flagging gaps as they surface.
  • Maintain Cross-Shift Continuity: Review incoming shift handover notes and set priorities at the start of each shift; write the handover note for the incoming shift at the end. Vary your hours across the week (Mon-Fri) to check in with all shift teams.
  • Execute the Process: Own execution of the team's concept of operations - its day-to-day process playbook. Designing and building that process is owned by the Props Program Lead.

What you'll bring
  • Experience managing, scheduling, and motivating an hourly, shift-based workforce (people-management experience strongly preferred).
  • A responsible, detail-oriented, organized, and high-ownership approach; comfortable operating against standard operating procedures that are still being iterated on.
  • Clear communication skills, including the ability to work with researchers and the operations team when there are questions about the process.
  • Comfort with directing work and managing people as the primary job, stepping into hands-on tasks only as needed.
  • For an otherwise strong candidate without formal people-management experience, we would want an explicit development plan in place before hiring, so the expectations of the role are clear and the person is set up to grow into them.

Nice to have
  • Experience with inventory management, staging/logistics, or physical operations.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.