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Senior Project Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

EwingCole

Senior Project Architect

Irvine, CA · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Project Architec t to join our Irvine office. As part of the architecture ... Ensuring project designs and construction documents fully comply with applicable codes and ...

EwingCole

Senior Project Architect

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$130K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking a Senior Project Architec t to join our Irvine office. As part of the architecture ... Ensuring project designs and construction documents fully comply with applicable codes and ...

New

IMEG

Electrical Project Designer | Anaheim, CA

Anaheim, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Electrical Project Designer | Anaheim, CA 100% Employee-Owned Big-firm resources, local-team ... Collaborate with senior engineers and consultants to develop practical and efficient solutions.

IMEG

Electrical Project Designer | Anaheim, CA

Anaheim, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Electrical Project Designer | Anaheim, CA 100% Employee-Owned • Big-firm resources, local-team ... Collaborate with senior engineers and consultants to develop practical and efficient solutions.

JOHN MCNEIL STUDIO

Senior Project Manager

Berkeley, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are acollective of strategists, writers, designers, filmmakers, technologists, musicians, and ... The Senior Project Manager will work closely with our Principals and provide leadership ...

JOHN MCNEIL STUDIO

Senior Project Manager

Berkeley, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are acollective of strategists, writers, designers, filmmakers, technologists, musicians, and ... The Senior Project Manager will work closely with our Principals and provide leadership ...

KBM Hogue

Sr. Project Coordinator

San Jose, CA · On-site

Job Type Full-time Description The Senior Project Coordinator provides advanced operational and administrative support to Account Managers, Designers, and Project Managers, serving as a subject ...

Kitchell

Senior Project Engineer

San Diego, CA

$105K - $137K/yr

Kitchell seeks an experienced and dedicated Project Engineer II / Sr. Project Engineer (DOE) to ... designer and contractor * Assists the project manager in the maintenance of effective cost control ...

Handel Architects

Senior Project Architect

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're a collaborative team of passionate Architects and Designers who thrive in an open studio ... As a Senior Project Architect, you will work closely with Project Managers to lead project teams on ...

Stantec

Senior Project Architect

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$106K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our architects, engineers, interior designers, consultants, sustainability specialists, and ... Your Opportunity We are actively seeking a Senior Project Architect. You are expected to have a ...

Stantec

Senior Project Architect

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$119K - $179K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Our architects, engineers, interior designers, consultants, sustainability specialists, and ... Your Opportunity We are actively seeking a Senior Project Architect. You are expected to have a ...

Intuitive

Senior Project Manager

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

The Senior Project Manager, PMO orchestrates the activities of their project teams to deliver compelling final product designs within demanding product release schedules. This role will also have a ...

Intuitive

Senior Project Manager

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

The Senior Project Manager, PMO orchestrates the activities of their project teams to deliver compelling final product designs within demanding product release schedules. This role will also have a ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsProject Designer JobsSenior Project Designer JobsSenior Project Designer Jobs in California

Senior Project Designer information

See California salary details

$26.6K

$75.7K

$119.4K

How much do senior project designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior project designer in California is $75,663.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,700.00 and $89,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior project designer?

A Senior Project Designer is an experienced professional responsible for leading the design aspects of large and complex projects, often within industries such as architecture, interior design, or engineering. They oversee the creative process, collaborate with clients and stakeholders, and ensure that the project vision is executed effectively from concept to completion. Senior Project Designers also mentor junior staff, coordinate with other departments, and ensure that designs meet both aesthetic and functional requirements while staying within budget and timeline constraints.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior project designer?

To excel as a Senior Project Designer, you need advanced design skills, a relevant degree (such as architecture or interior design), and extensive experience managing design projects. Proficiency with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with knowledge of building codes and project management methodologies, is often required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and creative problem-solving abilities help you collaborate effectively and drive design innovation. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality, client-focused solutions within project timelines and budgets.

What are the main challenges senior project designers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Senior Project Designers often juggle several projects at various stages, which requires balancing creative vision with practical constraints such as budget, timelines, and client expectations. One of the main challenges is ensuring consistent quality and cohesive design direction across all projects, while effectively prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities within the design team. Additionally, frequent coordination with other departments—like engineering, construction, and project management—demands strong communication and problem-solving skills. Staying organized and adaptable is key to successfully navigating these complexities.

What is the difference between Senior Project Designer vs Project Manager?

AspectSenior Project DesignerProject Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Architecture, or related field; relevant certificationsBachelor's degree in Business, Management, or related field; PMP or similar certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, architectural firms, or creative agenciesConstruction sites, corporate offices, or client sites
Industry UsageDesign and architecture firms, interior design companiesConstruction, engineering, and project delivery firms
Primary FocusDesign development, client presentations, project aestheticsProject planning, budgeting, team coordination, and delivery

The main difference is that Senior Project Designers focus on the creative and technical aspects of design projects, while Project Managers oversee the entire project process, including planning, execution, and delivery. Both roles require strong communication skills and industry knowledge, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Project Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Project Designer job openings:

Senior Project Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Project Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,663 per year, or $36.4 per hour.

Senior Project Architect

EwingCole

Irvine, CA • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
EwingCole is a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm with offices across the country. Our multi-disciplinary practice is built on the core values of professional excellence, design quality and collaboration. We are seeking a Senior Project Architect to join our Irvine office.
As part of the architecture discipline, the Senior Project Architect leads project delivery across all phases of design, from schematic design through construction administration, ensuring design intent, technical quality, and regulatory compliance are maintained. This person has the ability to coordinate and oversee project teams, organizing and directing work to deliver high-quality specifications and documentation for large complex projects. The Senior Project Architect has a unique talent and ability to integrate technical requirements into documentation through graphics and modeling in order to communicate the design intent to builders and lead the project through construction by addressing issues that arise. The ability to provide a high level of client satisfaction and to contribute to the advancement of company standards and best practices is valued for this role.
Essential Functions:
This role provides expert leadership in:
  • Documentation: Guiding the modeling and drawings used to accurately deliver projects
  • Building Technology: Applying an understanding of construction methods to building design
  • Project Delivery: Progressing project work from schematic design through construction documentation, ensuring design intent and technical quality are maintained
  • Codes & Accessibility: Ensuring project designs and construction documents fully comply with applicable codes and accessibility standards
  • Quality Standards: Promoting project quality through adherence to and the ongoing improvement of the company standards
  • Sustainability: Conceiving projects with rigor to resolve human and environmental health impacts and meet sustainability goals
  • Material Research: Selecting quality materials and identifying appropriate applications that consider the lifecycle of the products
  • Construction Administration: Managing the construction phase through responsive coordination with the builder to maintain design intent and contractual requirements
  • Cost Consciousness: Analyzing construction cost estimates for alignment of design intent and approved budgets and develops alternatives for controlling project costs
  • Specification Writing: Defining the design intent for material qualitative requirements and performance standards to ensure contractually enforceable and accurate representation of the design

Demonstrates advanced skills in:
  • Profitability: Effectively managing fees, resources, and the project delivery schedule to ensure the financial health of a project
  • Planning: Developing effective spatial configuration options through analysis of adjacencies, phasing and expansion

Exhibits proficient ability in:
  • Representational Skills: Guiding the visualization of design concepts
  • Site Planning: Addressing project, sustainability, and regulatory requirements in the development of sites
  • Programming: Progressing exploratory discussions to capture and align quantitative and functional requirements with aspirational and experiential goals
  • Presenting Narratives: Conveying design vision through engaging and informative presentations to project stakeholders

Shows foundational capability in:
  • Design Generation: Initiating the design approach to distinctive solutions which consider the totality of a project

EwingCole is a collaborative workplace that strives to recognize, and best align, the unique strengths of employees with project needs. At times, project responsibilities may require work outside the specific scope of a job description. Employees are expected to apply their skills where needed to support project success and client outcomes.
Requirements
  • Bachelor of Architecture required, Master of Architecture preferred
  • Registered Architect in at least one state with suitable credentials for registration in other states
  • 15+ years of relevant experience
  • Sustainability credential strongly encouraged
  • Excels in the guidelines of preceding roles including Project Architect

Salary Description
130,000 - 170,000

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