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Stage Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Adapt

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180 - $220/hr

About the role We're hiring our founding designer to join the small, high-output product and ... Experience working at an early stage (seed, Series A, Series B) startup, or a strong portfolio of ...

Photon

UX/UI Designer | Onsite

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The designer collaborates closely with UX researchers, creative leads, product teams, and ... Explore multiple UX and UI concepts during early-stage discovery and ideation. * Translate insights ...

Photon

UX/UI Designer | Onsite

San Francisco, CA · On-site

The designer collaborates closely with UX researchers, creative leads, product teams, and ... Explore multiple UX and UI concepts during early-stage discovery and ideation. * Translate insights ...

Northern Impact

Senior Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$108K - $115K/yr

Overview The 50+ person growing studio is seeking a Senior Designer with healthcare experience to ... every stage. * Help develop, refine, and implement architectural graphic standards and best ...

Vercel

Presentation Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

Vercel is seeking a Presentation Designer to own presentation design end to end and help make every deck, from an intimate strategy meeting to a high-profile main-stage keynote, a sharp and ...

Fuku

Senior Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$230K - $300K/yr

... early-stage to mid-market customers. - Develop IA foundations that keep The Company simple ... designing products with 10+ modules, complex navigation, and multi-workflow interactions. - Proven ...

ALO

Assistant Designer

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$70K - $72K/yr

... each stage of prototype * Set up vendor appointments as needed * Create and fulfill gifting ... Build and maintain Designer's lineplan/ 1-pager seasonally * Assist weekly proto reviews by ...

Adapt.com, Inc.

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

About the role We're hiring our founding designer to join the small, high-output product and ... Experience working at an early stage (seed, Series A, Series B) startup, or a strong portfolio of ...

Triwill Group

Presentation Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152 - $209/hr

Vercel is seeking a Presentation Designer to own presentation design end to end and help make every deck, from an intimate strategy meeting to a high-profile main-stage keynote, a sharp and ...

Fuku

Senior Product Designer

San Francisco, CA

$230K - $300K/yr

P artner with engineering to ensure designs scale from early-stage to mid-market customers. * D evelop IA foundations that keep The Company simple, predictable, and powerful as new capabilities are ...

JR286

Designer - NikeSKIMS Accessories

Torrance, CA · On-site

Create and coordinate design implementation at each stage of the product process (internal and ... Strong experience designing both hardgoods and soft goods accessories, with strong luxury design ...

Webhosting

Presentation Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$152 - $209/hr

Vercel is seeking a Presentation Designer to own presentation design end to end and help make every deck, from an intimate strategy meeting to a high-profile main-stage keynote, a sharp and ...

JR286, Inc.

Designer - NikeSKIMS Accessories

Torrance, CA · On-site

$95 - $140/hr

Create and coordinate design implementation at each stage of the product process (internal and ... Strong experience designing both hardgoods and soft goods accessories, with strong luxury design ...

Nicedesignjobs

Product Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

You'll be the product designer at a fast-moving AI company, shaping how enterprises interact with ... Equity in an early-stage company with strong momentum. * Working on one of the most exciting ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsStage Designer JobsStage Designer Jobs in California

Stage Designer information

See California salary details

$35K

$82.1K

$108.6K

How much do stage designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for stage 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 does a stage designer do?

A stage designer, also known as a set designer, is responsible for creating the visual environment of a theater production, concert, or event. They design sets, props, and sometimes lighting to help bring the director’s vision to life and enhance the storytelling. Stage designers collaborate closely with directors, costume designers, and lighting designers to ensure all visual elements work together. Their work includes sketching ideas, building models, selecting materials, and overseeing the construction and installation of sets.

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 solid background in set design, spatial awareness, visual arts, and often a degree in theater design or a related field. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as knowledge of stagecraft and lighting systems, is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and strong communication skills set outstanding stage designers apart. These skills ensure effective realization of artistic visions, smooth coordination with production teams, and the creation of impactful stage environments.

What are some common challenges stage designers face when working on live productions?

Stage Designers often encounter challenges such as balancing creative vision with budgetary or technical constraints, adapting designs to different venues, and collaborating with directors and other departments like lighting, sound, and costumes. Meeting tight deadlines and making real-time adjustments during rehearsals are also common aspects of the role. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are crucial to navigate these challenges and deliver visually compelling and practical stage environments.

What is the difference between Stage Designer vs Set Designer?

AspectStage DesignerSet Designer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in theater, design, or related fieldOften requires a degree in theater, architecture, or interior design
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily on live theater, concerts, and performancesWorks on film, television, and theatrical productions
Industry UsageCommonly used in theater and live performance industriesCommonly used in film, TV, and stage productions

While both Stage Designer and Set Designer create visual environments, the Stage Designer focuses on designing the overall stage layout for live performances, ensuring functionality and aesthetic appeal. The Set Designer, on the other hand, primarily designs the physical scenery and backgrounds for theater, film, or TV productions. Their roles often overlap, but their specific focus and work environments differ.

How do you become a stage designer?

To become a stage designer, individuals typically pursue a bachelor's degree in theater design, set design, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships, building a portfolio, and developing skills in drafting, painting, and computer-aided design (CAD) are essential steps in establishing a career in stage design.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Stage Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Stage Designer job openings:

Stage Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Stage Designer 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 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,059 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Chief Designer

Foundation Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Foundation Robotics is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the mission to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments. The Chief Designer will own the design vision for these robots, ensuring they are human-centric and emotionally engaging, while leading a multidisciplinary team to redefine human-robot interactions.
Responsibilities:
• Defining and championing a global design philosophy rooted in human-centered principles, guiding humanoid form factors, interactions, and the entire user journey.
• Building, mentoring, and leading multidisciplinary teams in industrial design, UX/UI, motion, interaction, brand, and service design.
• Partnering with AI, robotics, hardware, and software teams to co-create intuitive experiences that blend cutting-edge tech with emotional resonance.
• Overseeing cohesive brand storytelling across aesthetics, interfaces, gestures, environments, media, and customer support ecosystems.
• Developing scalable design systems for components, interfaces, behaviors, and visual identity that prioritize delight and accessibility.
• Embedding ethics, inclusivity, safety, and transparency into designs to foster trust in human-robot interactions.
• Pushing innovation by exploring emerging materials, paradigms, and trends to make robots feel alive and lovable.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Proven track record of shipping transformative products that fuse advanced technology with deep human empathy, creating experiences users adore.
• Expertise in industrial design, UX/UI, human-machine interaction, brand strategy, and service design, with a holistic view of the user lifecycle.
• Exceptional cross-functional collaboration skills, adept at bridging engineering, product, marketing, and executive teams to align on visionary outcomes.
• Outstanding communication, storytelling, and presentation abilities to inspire teams and stakeholders with compelling narratives.
• Experience designing humanoid or robotic platforms, with a background in motion design, AI embodiment, bio-inspired forms, or consumer-facing hardware.
• A burning passion for building technology that doesn't just function but feels alive, intuitive, and emotionally engaging.
• A portfolio showcasing bold, innovative designs that emphasize emotional detail, user delight, and end-to-end coherence.
Company:
Learn Robotics is an upcoming webapp for lecturers and instructors of robotics courses at the bachelors and masters level. Founded in 2022, the company is headquartered in Ghent, BE, , with a team of 0-1 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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