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Transportation Design Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Trilon

Senior Roadway Design Lead

Detroit, MI

$58 - $65/hr

MSG is growing our Transportation Team in Michigan and is seeking a Senior Roadway Design Lead to support roadway engineering and transportation infrastructure projects throughout the Detroit Metro ...

Dar Group

Transportation Engineering Designer

Detroit, MI · Hybrid

$76K - $94K/yr

Utility design and coordination. * Supporting transportation and transit design packages for the State of Michigan , MDOT , and the City of Detroit. * Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ...

New

Fishbeck

Senior Project Manager

Farmington Hills, MI · On-site

Farmington Hills, MI Employment Type: Full-Time Lead Transportation Design amp; Client Growth with Fishbeck Are you an experienced transportation leader with a passion for managing complex projects ...

Ford Motor Company

Industrial Designer

Dearborn, MI

$74K - $166K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design or a related field A portfolio or work examples showcasing industrial design projects Designer level experience in a consumer product ...

Ford Motor Company

Senior Exterior Designer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$96K - $166K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or equivalent; can include graduates earning their degree in the same calendar term * 3+ years of Automotive or Transportation Design ...

Ford Motor Company

Exterior Designer

Dearborn, MI

$86K - $166K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or equivalent; can include graduates earning their degree in the same calendar term * 4-5+ years of experience in Automotive or ...

Ford Motor Company

Senior Exterior Designer

Dearborn, MI · Hybrid

$96K - $166K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or equivalent; can include graduates earning their degree in the same calendar term * 3+ years of Automotive or Transportation Design ...

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All JobsTransportation Design JobsTransportation Design Jobs in Michigan

Transportation Design information

See Michigan salary details

$52.7K

$76.1K

$98.5K

How much do transportation design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for transportation design in Michigan is $76,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,500.00 and $83,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Transportation Design job involve?

A Transportation Design job focuses on creating the look, functionality, and user experience of various transportation modes, such as cars, bikes, trains, and aircraft. Designers blend aesthetics, engineering, and ergonomics to develop innovative concepts that enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. They use digital tools, modeling techniques, and collaboration with engineers to bring designs from concept to production.

How to get a job in car design?

To pursue a career in car design, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in industrial design, automotive design, or a related field, along with strong skills in sketching, 3D modeling, and CAD software. Building a portfolio showcasing design projects and gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions can improve job prospects in the automotive industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Transportation Design position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Transportation Design, a blend of strong visual creativity, proficiency in industrial or automotive design principles, and a relevant degree (such as in transportation, industrial or product design) is essential. Mastery of computer-aided design (CAD) software like Autodesk Alias, CATIA, and Adobe Creative Suite, as well as familiarity with prototyping tools, is typically required. Exceptional collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving skills set standout designers apart in multidisciplinary teams. These abilities ensure innovative, functional, and aesthetically compelling transportation solutions that meet user needs and industry standards.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Transportation Designer?

Transportation Designers spend their days developing concepts and detailed designs for vehicles or mobility solutions, from sketching initial ideas to creating digital 3D models. They frequently collaborate with engineers, marketers, and product managers to balance aesthetics, functionality, and manufacturability. Designers may also participate in user research, presentations, and design reviews to gather feedback and refine their work. The role involves a dynamic mix of creative brainstorming, technical development, and teamwork—making strong communication and project management skills valuable assets.

What is the highest paid designer job?

In transportation design, senior roles such as Lead Transportation Designer or Design Director tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. These positions require extensive experience, advanced skills in CAD and visualization tools, and leadership responsibilities within design teams.

What is a transportation designer?

A transportation designer is a professional who develops the visual and functional aspects of transportation vehicles and infrastructure, such as cars, buses, trains, and transit systems. They use design tools like CAD software and often collaborate with engineers to create innovative, safe, and efficient transportation solutions.

What kind of jobs are in transportation?

Transportation jobs include roles such as transportation planners, civil engineers, traffic analysts, and logistics coordinators. These positions often require knowledge of transportation systems, planning software, and safety regulations, and may involve working in offices, construction sites, or transportation hubs.
What are the most commonly searched types of Transportation Design jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Transportation Design jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Transportation Design jobs in Michigan? For Transportation Design jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Transportation Design jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Transportation Design jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Transportation Design jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Transportation Design job openings:
Transportation Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Transportation Design job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,096 per year, or $36.6 per hour.
Senior Roadway Design Lead

Senior Roadway Design Lead

Trilon

Detroit, MI

$58 - $65/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc. (MSG) is a people focused, award-winning, full-service consulting firm that offers a wide array of services including civil and geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, planning, landscape architecture, agriculture, surveying and construction support. Our talented staff of more than 650+ professionals deliver integrated planning, design, engineering and construction solutions.
MSG is growing our Transportation Team in Michigan and is seeking a Senior Roadway Design Lead to support roadway engineering and transportation infrastructure projects throughout the Detroit Metro region and beyond.
This role is ideal for a technically strong roadway engineer with deep experience in OpenRoads Designer (ORD), roadway modeling, and transportation design. 
  • Serve as the technical lead on roadway engineering and transportation design projects for MDOT and local agency clients throughout the Detroit Metro region
  • Lead hands-on roadway modeling and design efforts utilizing OpenRoads Designer (ORD) as the primary roadway design resource and subject matter expert.
  • Prepare and review roadway plans, profiles, cross sections, quantities, and design calculations
  • Conduct technical design reviews and support QA/QC efforts on project deliverables
  • Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery
  • Mentor junior engineering staff on roadway design standards, modeling workflows, and engineering best practices
  • Contribute quickly to active transportation projects within a fast-paced and growing service line
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
  • 8-10+ years of transportation engineering experience
  • Strong hands-on experience with OpenRoads Designer (ORD) required
  • Experience with roadway modeling, design production, and transportation project delivery required
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
  • Experience with MDOT roadway projects and local agency transportation work preferred but not required
  • Ability to mentor junior staff and provide technical leadership
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills
  • Prior project coordination or project management experience is a plus, but not required
  • 401(k) w/ company match
  • Health insurance w/ HSA option, Vision, Dental, Life
  • Flexible schedule
  • Paid time off
  • Referral program
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Catalytic Coaching - Employees draft a development plan aimed at improving contributions in their current job and increasing the potential for other opportunities. MSG is all about bringing out the best in people at work!
It is the policy of our company to follow equal employment opportunity procedures in compliance with federal, state and local criteria. We will provide all applicants for employment, and all employees, with equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, arrest record, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, and/or any other protected classes covered by any local, state and federal laws.

The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.

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