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Senior Design Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$176K - $195K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Senior Design Manager leads and oversees multiple capital improvement projects with a strong focus on seismic upgrades ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$176K - $195K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Senior Design Manager leads and oversees multiple capital improvement projects with a strong focus on seismic upgrades ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$176K - $195K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Senior Design Manager leads and oversees multiple capital improvement projects with a strong focus on seismic upgrades ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking a Senior Design Manager to join our Facilities Sector.The Senior Design Manager leads and oversees multiple capital improvement projects with a strong focus on seismic upgrades ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

JR5913STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Management group in Los Angeles. This leadership role is responsible for managing the planning, design, and ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$200 - $250/hr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

## Senior Design Manager/ArchitectApplylocations: South Flower Street, Los Angeles, Californiatime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: JR5689STV is currently looking for a Senior ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Struction Solutions is seeking a Senior Design Manager to leaddesign activities for the School Upgrade Program and critical repair projects.This role ensures compliance with LAUSD standards while ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $183K/yr

STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Management group in Los Angeles. This leadership role is responsible for managing the planning, design, and coordination ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$160K - $183K/yr

STV is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Management group in Los Angeles. This leadership role is responsible for managing the planning, design, and coordination ...

Senior Design Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$132K - $175K/yr

Senior Design Manager Designing & building infrastructure, at record speed, is key to enabling us to scale worldwide. We are looking for a highly motivated BESS Design Manager to join our Engineering ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$191K - $210K/yr

As Senior Design Manager, you are the lead design professional in the Design Department, planning, organizing, and directing design activities for the upgrade program and critical repair projects ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$178K - $183K/yr

The Tsui Group is seeking a candidate who is qualified and experienced in educational facility construction projects to serve as a Senior Design Manager for a large educational client within Los ...

Senior Design Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$178K - $183K/yr

The Tsui Group is seeking a candidate who is qualified and experienced in educational facility construction projects to serve as a Senior Design Manager for a large educational client within Los ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Design Manager information

See California salary details

$66.6K

$142.7K

$195.8K

How much do senior design manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior design manager in California is $142,663.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,830.00 and $167,448.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior design manager?

Senior Design Managers are experienced professionals who lead and oversee design teams within an organization. They are responsible for setting design strategies, managing multiple projects, mentoring designers, and ensuring that design outputs align with business objectives. Senior Design Managers collaborate with stakeholders across departments, drive innovation, and maintain high-quality standards in all design processes. Their role is crucial in bridging creative vision with practical execution, ensuring that projects meet both user needs and business goals.

How does a senior design manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

As a Senior Design Manager, you will work closely with product managers, engineers, marketing, and other stakeholders throughout the design process. Effective collaboration involves facilitating design reviews, ensuring alignment between business objectives and creative direction, and proactively seeking feedback from multiple departments. You’ll often act as a bridge between the design team and other functions, translating technical or business requirements into actionable design solutions. This collaborative dynamic is essential for delivering cohesive, user-centered products and achieving shared project goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior design manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Design Manager, you need advanced design expertise, leadership experience, and a strong portfolio, often supported by a degree in design or a related field. Familiarity with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and project management platforms such as Asana or Jira is typically required. Exceptional communication, team leadership, and stakeholder management skills set top performers apart. These abilities are crucial for delivering high-quality design solutions, leading creative teams, and aligning design objectives with business goals.

What is the difference between Senior Design Manager vs Design Director?

AspectSenior Design ManagerDesign Director
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Architecture, or related field; experience in project managementSimilar educational background; often more extensive experience and leadership credentials
Work EnvironmentLeads design teams on multiple projects, collaborates with clients and stakeholdersOversees entire design departments, sets strategic vision, and manages senior teams
Industry UsageCommonly used in architecture, product, and interior design firmsTypically found in larger organizations with broader strategic responsibilities

The main difference between a Senior Design Manager and a Design Director lies in scope and strategic influence. Senior Design Managers focus on managing design teams and project execution, while Design Directors oversee overall design strategy and department leadership, often with higher-level responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Senior Design Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Design Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Design Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Design Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Design Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,663 per year, or $68.6 per hour.

Senior Design Manager - Higher Education

STV

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$196K - $224K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

The Senior Design Manager is the Campus Project team's primary interface with the Design Consultants and Specialty Consultants (Design Team). From planning to close-out and DSA certification, and at all key design milestones, the Senior Design Manager proactively coordinates, manages and monitors the design process to ensure that Campus projects are designed, constructed and completed in compliance with DSA guidelines and bulletins, programming and project criteria documents, building codes, the District's schedules and budgets, the District's standards for design and construction, the District's policies, rules and regulations and the requirements of the SOP. The Senior Design Manager collaborates with other Campus Project team members, the Design Team and District stakeholders to define the scope of Campus Projects, resolve design-related issues, and address the expectations of District stakeholders. The Senior Design Manager is responsible for QAQC review of plans, specifications, cut sheets, schedules and other design documents for quality, constructability, coordination, and clarity. The Senior Design Manager manages the process for timely and compliant production, review and sign-off of design deliverables. During construction, the Senior Design Manager reviews and provides comments to the Design Team on DSA construction change directives (CCDs) for completeness and compliance with design intent, guides the Design Team through the DSA review process, evaluates and reports on the impacts of design changes, and manages DSABox submittals.

Minimum Qualifications:

10 years of experience in design and/or design management.
5 years of the foregoing 10 years of experience must be with projects requiring DSA or OSHPD Certification
BA or BS in Architecture, Engineering, Urban Planning, Construction Management or a closely related field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of DSA requirements and relevant provisions of the California Public Contract Code, as well as regulations and requirements governing DSA submissions.

Experience in design and design management of major K-14 or higher education projects.

Understanding of Sustainable Design Principles.

Understanding of risk management principles and the risk management process.

Understanding of scope definition and scope interface.

A current and valid Certificate of Registration as an Architect by the California Architectural Board or as a Professional Engineer by the California State Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Compensation Range:

$196,118.41 - $224,135.33

STV offers the following benefits Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account Dental insurance Vision insurance Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) Disability insurance Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment 401(k) Plan Retirement Counseling Employee Assistance Program Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) Paid Holidays (9 days) Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) Continuing Education Program Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV's work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don't always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.


STV logo

About STV

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

STV is a leading provider of professional and technical services operating within the design and construction industry. Headquartered in New York, NY, the firm makes a great difference in the field of infrastructure, transportation, building facilities, communications, energy, and other related industries. Responsible for some of the most renowned design projects in the U.S., STV integrates architecture, engineering, interior design, and construction management services. This multi-discipline company was founded in 1912 and has been demonstrating a constant commitment to excellence, innovation, and technology since its inception.

Industry

Architectural services and construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US