Senior Level Assistant Designer Jobs
Senior level assistant designer jobs place experienced designers in charge of creative direction, project outcomes, and the junior talent they mentor and develop. Openings are concentrated in Technology & Software, Consulting & Professional Services, and Construction & Real Estate, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid settings, and employers like HDR, Burns & McDonnell, and Amazon hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 355+ Senior Level Assistant Designer jobs
INTRODUCTION
As a Senior Lead Exterior Designer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and proportion of future Rivian vehicle programs. Operating out of our Irvine Design Studio, you will lead the exterior design narrative from early blue-sky ideation through production execution.
Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Exterior Design, you will collaborate closely with digital sculptors, clay modelers, aerodynamicists, packaging engineers, and studio leadership. You are both a visionary stylist with exceptional aesthetic taste and a seasoned design leader capable of mentoring designers, navigating engineering constraints, and championing design intent to final tooling.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Creative Vision & Leadership: Lead exterior design themes for next-generation vehicle architectures, defining proportions, surfacing language, graphics, and lighting signatures aligned with Rivian’s brand ethos.
- Concept to Production Delivery: Drive projects through every phase of the vehicle development cycle—from 2D sketch ideation and 3D CAS modeling to 1:1 clay refinement and Class-A surfacing buy-off.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Studio Engineering, Aerodynamics, Body-in-White (BIW), Thermal, and Engineering teams to develop innovative technical solutions without compromising aesthetic integrity.
- Mentorship & Culture: Provide day-to-day guidance, creative inspiration, and critique to junior and mid-level exterior designers, fostering a highly collaborative studio environment.
- Executive Presentation: Prepare and deliver compelling design presentations, physical model walk-arounds, and visual assets to the Senior Director of Exterior Design, Head of Design, and executive leadership.
- Studio Hands-On Direction: Work side-by-side with digital sculptors (Alias/SubD) and clay modelers on the studio floor, translating sketches into clean, sculptural, production-ready form.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience: 10+ years of production and concept automotive exterior design experience within an OEM studio or high-profile automotive design consultancy.
- Proven Track Record: At least one production vehicle exterior to your credit (from initial concept sketch through to production sign-off).
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skills & Mastery:
- Exceptional 2D visualization skills (analog sketching, Photoshop, Procreate).
- Strong 3D spatial awareness with hands-on fluency or deep working knowledge of Alias, Blender, V-Red, or digital modeling workflows.
- Deep understanding of automotive package architecture, hard points, aerodynamics, pedestrian safety regulations, lighting, and manufacturing feasibility.
- Experience working directly with clay modeling teams to refine surfaces under studio lighting conditions.
- Experience in multiple A.I. software used in the design process, presentations, storytelling, etc.
- Mindset: An adventurous, collaborative mindset and push-the-envelope of vehicle typologies.
INTRODUCTION
As a Senior Lead Exterior Designer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and proportion of future Rivian vehicle programs. Operating out of our Irvine Design Studio, you will lead the exterior design narrative from early blue-sky ideation through production execution.
Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Exterior Design, you will collaborate closely with digital sculptors, clay modelers, aerodynamicists, packaging engineers, and studio leadership. You are both a visionary stylist with exceptional aesthetic taste and a seasoned design leader capable of mentoring designers, navigating engineering constraints, and championing design intent to final tooling.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Creative Vision & Leadership: Lead exterior design themes for next-generation vehicle architectures, defining proportions, surfacing language, graphics, and lighting signatures aligned with Rivian’s brand ethos.
- Concept to Production Delivery: Drive projects through every phase of the vehicle development cycle—from 2D sketch ideation and 3D CAS modeling to 1:1 clay refinement and Class-A surfacing buy-off.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Studio Engineering, Aerodynamics, Body-in-White (BIW), Thermal, and Engineering teams to develop innovative technical solutions without compromising aesthetic integrity.
- Mentorship & Culture: Provide day-to-day guidance, creative inspiration, and critique to junior and mid-level exterior designers, fostering a highly collaborative studio environment.
- Executive Presentation: Prepare and deliver compelling design presentations, physical model walk-arounds, and visual assets to the Senior Director of Exterior Design, Head of Design, and executive leadership.
- Studio Hands-On Direction: Work side-by-side with digital sculptors (Alias/SubD) and clay modelers on the studio floor, translating sketches into clean, sculptural, production-ready form.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience: 10+ years of production and concept automotive exterior design experience within an OEM studio or high-profile automotive design consultancy.
- Proven Track Record: At least one production vehicle exterior to your credit (from initial concept sketch through to production sign-off).
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Skills & Mastery:
- Exceptional 2D visualization skills (analog sketching, Photoshop, Procreate).
- Strong 3D spatial awareness with hands-on fluency or deep working knowledge of Alias, Blender, V-Red, or digital modeling workflows.
- Deep understanding of automotive package architecture, hard points, aerodynamics, pedestrian safety regulations, lighting, and manufacturing feasibility.
- Experience working directly with clay modeling teams to refine surfaces under studio lighting conditions.
- Experience in multiple A.I. software used in the design process, presentations, storytelling, etc.
- Mindset: An adventurous, collaborative mindset and push-the-envelope of vehicle typologies.
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Find JobsSenior Level Assistant Designer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- HDR16
- Burns & McDonnell16
- Amazon13
- Floor & Decor13
- Kimley-Horn9
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software96
- Consulting & Professional Services95
- Construction & Real Estate53
- Healthcare & Medical Services19
- Retail15
Senior Level Assistant Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level assistant designer job?
Employers at this level look for candidates who have owned projects end-to-end, not just executed tasks. A portfolio that shows creative decision-making, measurable outcomes, and cross-functional collaboration carries more weight than credentials alone. Demonstrating that you have mentored junior designers or led reviews signals the leadership readiness these roles require.
Which companies hire senior level assistant designers?
Companies hiring senior level assistant designers right now include HDR, Burns & McDonnell, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a wide range of employers, from established consumer brands and design studios to corporations with in-house creative departments seeking experienced design leadership.
Are there remote senior level assistant designer jobs?
Yes, though availability varies by employer and industry. About 27% of senior level assistant designer openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting strong demand for experienced designers who can collaborate effectively across distributed teams. On-site roles remain common in industries where in-person creative collaboration is central to the work.
What makes an assistant designer role senior level?
Senior level assistant designer roles are defined by ownership and scope rather than task execution. At this stage, designers are expected to shape creative direction, manage relationships with stakeholders, and take accountability for project outcomes. Mentoring junior designers and contributing to design systems or standards are typical expectations that distinguish these positions from mid-level roles.
Which industries hire the most senior level assistant designers?
Senior Level assistant designer roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Consulting & Professional Services, and Construction & Real Estate, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors tend to invest heavily in experienced design talent because the complexity and scale of their creative output requires professionals who can lead projects and uphold quality standards without close supervision.