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Stage Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Pulse Software Corp

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

What makes our tech special is our multi-stage architecture: * Layout understanding with ... Maintain a design system and accessibility standards * Run user research and ship improvements ...

Arhaus

Assistant Visual Manager FT

Pasadena, CA · On-site

... stage design). COMPENSATION • Hourly/Non-Exempt • If achieved, eligible for Quarterly Bonus EMPLOYEE BENEFITS • Exceptional advancement opportunities • Competitive earnings, bonus ...

Hermeus

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138K - $187K/yr

This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development. Responsibilities * Own the design, fabrication, and ...

Hermeus

Build Engineer - Tooling

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development. Responsibilities * Design and build innovative ...

Hermeus

Build Engineer - Tooling

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $180K/yr

This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development. Responsibilities * Design and build innovative ...

Hermeus

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138K - $187K/yr

This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development. Responsibilities * Own the design, fabrication, and ...

Glendale Community College

Theatre Technician

Glendale, CA · On-site

$5.4K - $5.9K/mo

Reviews scenic plans, lighting, video and audio plots; works from blueprints, drawings, layouts, and other renderings to design and construct stage sets; prepares cost estimates and orders needed ...

Jinba

Founding Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $250K/yr

Design engineer or founding designer roles at early-stage startups * Experience at companies like Figma, Linear, Notion, Retool, Vercel, or similar dev/productivity tools * Built a design system from ...

Hermeus

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138K - $187K/yr

This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development. Responsibilities * Own the design, fabrication, and ...

Omega EMS

Jr Planner -- On-site

San Jose, CA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Omega EMS supports customers from early-stage design through full production, serving industries such as medical, industrial, aerospace, and advanced technology. With a focus on flexibility, quality ...

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All JobsStage Design JobsStage Design Jobs in California

Stage Design information

See California salary details

$9

$56

$128

How much do stage design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for stage design in California is $56.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.41 and $61.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Stage Design vs Set Design?

AspectStage DesignSet Design
Primary FocusDesigning the physical environment for live performances, including theaters and concertsCreating visual backgrounds and environments for film, TV, or photography
Work EnvironmentRehearsal spaces, theaters, performance venuesFilm studios, on-location shoots, post-production
CredentialsDesign background, theater or performance arts experienceDesign, art, or architecture background

While both roles involve creating visual environments, Stage Design focuses on live performance settings like theaters and concerts, emphasizing functionality and audience experience. Set Design is geared toward film and television, prioritizing visual storytelling and camera considerations. Understanding these differences helps professionals and employers align expectations and skills for each role.

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

To thrive as a Stage Designer, you need a strong background in theatrical design, visual arts, and spatial awareness, usually supported by a degree in theatre design or a related field. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as knowledge of stage construction and lighting systems, is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and strong communication skills are crucial for translating directors' visions into practical stage environments. These skills ensure the creation of engaging, safe, and visually compelling sets that enhance the overall theatrical experience.

How do you become a stage designer?

To become a stage designer, individuals typically pursue a degree in theater design, set design, or a related field, and develop skills in drawing, model-making, and computer-aided design (CAD). Gaining experience through internships or assistant roles on productions helps build a portfolio and industry connections, which are essential for securing full-time positions in theater, film, or television production.

What does a stage design do?

A stage designer creates the visual environment for performances by designing and arranging scenery, backdrops, and props to enhance the storytelling. They collaborate with directors and technical teams, often using design software, to develop concepts that fit the production's theme and space. Their work involves understanding stage mechanics, safety standards, and the use of materials to bring the vision to life.

What is stage design?

Stage design, also known as scenic design, is the art and practice of creating the visual environment for a theatrical production, concert, or event. It involves designing and arranging the physical space, including sets, backdrops, props, and sometimes lighting, to support the storytelling and mood of the performance. Stage designers work closely with directors, lighting designers, and costume designers to ensure a cohesive look and feel that enhances the audience's experience. The process often includes sketching, creating models, and collaborating with builders and painters to bring the concept to life.

How to get experience in stage design?

Stage design professionals typically gain experience through internships, assisting established designers, or working on student or community theater productions. Developing skills in set construction, drafting, and familiarity with design software like AutoCAD or SketchUp can also enhance job prospects.

What are some common challenges stage designers face when collaborating with directors and technical teams?

Stage designers often navigate the challenge of aligning their creative vision with the director’s interpretation of the script and the technical limitations of the venue. Balancing artistic concepts with budget constraints, safety regulations, and the capabilities of the available crew can also be complex. Effective communication and flexibility are crucial, as last-minute changes in direction or technical requirements are common and require designers to adapt quickly while maintaining the integrity of their designs.

What are popular job titles related to Stage Design jobs in California?

For Stage Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Stage Design jobs?

Cities in California with the most Stage Design job openings:

Stage Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Stage Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,323 per year, or $56.9 per hour.

Design Engineer

Pulse Software Corp

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Overview
Pulse is tackling one of the most persistent challenges in data infrastructure: extracting accurate, structured information from complex documents at scale. We have a breakthrough approach to document understanding that combines intelligent schema mapping with fine-tuned extraction models where legacy OCR and other parsing tools consistently fail.
We are a small, fast-growing team of engineers in San Francisco powering Fortune 100 enterprises, YC startups, public investment firms, and growth-stage companies. We are backed by tier 1 investors and growing quickly.
What makes our tech special is our multi-stage architecture:
  • Layout understanding with specialized component detection models
  • Low-latency OCR models for targeted extraction
  • Advanced reading-order algorithms for complex structures
  • Proprietary table structure recognition and parsing
  • Fine-tuned vision-language models for charts, tables, and figures

If you are passionate about the intersection of computer vision, NLP, and data infrastructure, your work at Pulse will directly impact customers and shape the future of document intelligence.
What we are looking for
  • 5 days in-office at our San Francisco office
  • Eager to learn and adapt quickly
  • Prior startup or founding experience is a plus

About the RoleOwn front end development for core workflows. Take features from Figma to production and work closely with product, ML, and customer teams.
Responsibilities
  • Build React components and data visualizations
  • Create UX for QA, field-level accuracy, and usage analytics
  • Maintain a design system and accessibility standards
  • Run user research and ship improvements quickly
  • Contribute to product copy and documentation

Requirements
  • 3+ years shipping front end products with React and TypeScript
  • Strong product design instincts and prototyping skills
  • Ability to work across design and implementation

Nice to have
  • Figma and d3 or similar charting libraries

SponsorshipSponsorship available.
Compensation and benefitsCompetitive base salary plus equity, performance-based bonus, relocation assistance for Bay Area moves, daily meal stipend, medical, vision, and dental coverage.

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