Design Lead Jobs in Colorado
Design Lead jobs in Colorado are concentrated in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, where technology companies, aerospace firms, and consumer brands maintain substantial in-house design teams. Employers like DISH Network, Ball Corporation, and Trimble have long-established Colorado presences and hire design leads across product design, UX, and brand strategy. The market draws candidates at both the senior individual-contributor level and the player-coach manager level, with the strongest demand in digital product and systems design. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 21+ Design Lead jobs
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
Come join the fast-growing Building Engineering Services Group at HDR. The Building Engineering Services Group (BES) provides industry leading mechanical, electrical, control system, plumbing, site civil, structural, and specialty design services for a wide variety of buildings that include public, municipal, private, and government project types. Projects are a balance of local as well as across the region and the globe. With a team of experienced staff in specific market areas such as Healthcare, Datacenters, Science and Technology, Commercial Real Estate, Finance, Hospitality, Industrial, Municipal, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Federal facilities; we provide engineering excellence for our clients.
We are searching for an Instrumentation & Controls Design Lead in the greater Denver, Colorado area.
In the role of Instrumentation & Controls Design Lead, we'll count on you to:
- Lead a team of professionals and technicians in developing Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) designs for water, wastewater, and other clients using industrial control systems.
- Supervise a team of professionals and technicians, including workload management, annual performance reviews, and training and technical mentorship.
- Coordinate team workload and manage schedules across multiple concurrent projects.
- Coordinate across geographical regions to support workshare and leverage subject matter expertise.
- Lead production of I&C and industrial control projects through the full project lifecycle, including master planning and feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed for-construction design, and construction-phase services.
- Serve as Engineer of Record in responsible charge for development of biddable and technically accurate SCADA / I&C construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications
- Write and edit instrumentation and controls systems specifications, and select instruments, equipment and monitoring/control devices.
- Work closely with the Systems Integration/Operational Technology team on projects that include PLC programming and SCADA configuration to provide smooth transition from initial design to final field implementation.
- Conduct QA/QC on the work of other I&C Project Engineers, I&C Project Coordinators or I&C technicians.
- Function as Project Manager on selected I&C projects
- Participate in marketing and business development activities with internal and external clients.
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Supervisory experience, and leading and managing teams of technical personnel on design projects.
- Minimum of 10 years experience designing I&C Systems for water and wastewater systems using industrial control platforms.
- Knowledge of automation hardware including but not limited to Allen-Bradley, Emerson, Foxboro, Modicon, Siemens, and GE.
- Knowledge of automation software including but not limited to Wonderware, iFix, FacotryTalk, VTScada, Ignition
- Previous work experience with an A&E/Consulting Engineering firm
- Previous work experience in the Colorado municipal water/wastewater industry.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- A minimum of 7 years experience
- Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
- Strong communication and listening skills
- Ability to handle multiple assignments
- Good leadership and organizational skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-Colorado-DenverIndustry
: Building EngineeringSchedule
: Full-timeEmployee Status
: RegularJob Posting
: Oct 2, 2026At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
Come join the fast-growing Building Engineering Services Group at HDR. The Building Engineering Services Group (BES) provides industry leading mechanical, electrical, control system, plumbing, site civil, structural, and specialty design services for a wide variety of buildings that include public, municipal, private, and government project types. Projects are a balance of local as well as across the region and the globe. With a team of experienced staff in specific market areas such as Healthcare, Datacenters, Science and Technology, Commercial Real Estate, Finance, Hospitality, Industrial, Municipal, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Federal facilities; we provide engineering excellence for our clients.
We are searching for an Instrumentation & Controls Design Lead in the greater Denver, Colorado area.
In the role of Instrumentation & Controls Design Lead, we'll count on you to:
- Lead a team of professionals and technicians in developing Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) designs for water, wastewater, and other clients using industrial control systems.
- Supervise a team of professionals and technicians, including workload management, annual performance reviews, and training and technical mentorship.
- Coordinate team workload and manage schedules across multiple concurrent projects.
- Coordinate across geographical regions to support workshare and leverage subject matter expertise.
- Lead production of I&C and industrial control projects through the full project lifecycle, including master planning and feasibility studies, conceptual design, detailed for-construction design, and construction-phase services.
- Serve as Engineer of Record in responsible charge for development of biddable and technically accurate SCADA / I&C construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications
- Write and edit instrumentation and controls systems specifications, and select instruments, equipment and monitoring/control devices.
- Work closely with the Systems Integration/Operational Technology team on projects that include PLC programming and SCADA configuration to provide smooth transition from initial design to final field implementation.
- Conduct QA/QC on the work of other I&C Project Engineers, I&C Project Coordinators or I&C technicians.
- Function as Project Manager on selected I&C projects
- Participate in marketing and business development activities with internal and external clients.
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Supervisory experience, and leading and managing teams of technical personnel on design projects.
- Minimum of 10 years experience designing I&C Systems for water and wastewater systems using industrial control platforms.
- Knowledge of automation hardware including but not limited to Allen-Bradley, Emerson, Foxboro, Modicon, Siemens, and GE.
- Knowledge of automation software including but not limited to Wonderware, iFix, FacotryTalk, VTScada, Ignition
- Previous work experience with an A&E/Consulting Engineering firm
- Previous work experience in the Colorado municipal water/wastewater industry.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- A minimum of 7 years experience
- Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
- Strong communication and listening skills
- Ability to handle multiple assignments
- Good leadership and organizational skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-Colorado-DenverIndustry
: Building EngineeringSchedule
: Full-timeEmployee Status
: RegularJob Posting
: Oct 2, 2026See All 21 Design Lead Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in Colorado
Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in Colorado
A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
- Government & Public Sector
What Colorado Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across Colorado.
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design ownership and cross-functional leadership on shipped products
- Six or more years of experience in UX, product, or brand design with at least two in a lead or principal role
- Proficiency in Figma and familiarity with design systems at scale across multiple product surfaces
- Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor junior designers while contributing hands-on to project work
- Experience collaborating with product managers and engineers in agile development environments
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, human-computer interaction, or a closely related field
Design Lead Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in Colorado?
Design lead roles in Colorado do not require a state-issued license or certification. The typical path begins with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, UX, interaction design, or a related field, followed by several years building a portfolio in individual-contributor roles. Colorado's dense tech and aerospace sectors in Denver and Boulder reward candidates who have shipped complex digital products, so a strong portfolio and demonstrated cross-functional leadership matter more than any single credential.
How much do design leads make in Colorado?
Design leads in Colorado earn a median of about $99,990 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $73,110 for the lowest 10% to over $162,610 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in Colorado?
Colorado design lead roles are posted by HDR, Quanta Services, and Intermountain Electric and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Colorado's mix of established aerospace companies, SaaS firms, and consumer electronics brands creates consistent year-round demand for senior design talent.
Which Colorado cities have the most design lead jobs?
Aurora, Denver, and Colorado Springs account for the largest share of design lead openings in Colorado. Denver anchors the market through its concentration of technology companies and corporate headquarters, while Boulder's startup and outdoor-industry ecosystem drives demand, and Colorado Springs contributes openings tied to defense contractors and military-adjacent technology employers.
Are there remote design lead jobs in Colorado?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 58% of design lead openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how well digital design work translates to distributed teams. Strategic and product design leadership roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while roles involving physical product or brand environment work are more likely to require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a design lead in Colorado with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a lead role from a senior individual-contributor position at a Colorado employer that promotes from within, such as technology companies in the Denver Tech Center or Boulder's SaaS ecosystem. Building toward a lead title from a senior product designer or UX designer role is the standard ladder. Candidates without formal experience managing others should focus on mentoring opportunities, design critiques, and cross-functional project ownership to demonstrate readiness, and a portfolio showing systems thinking is the single strongest differentiator for Colorado hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in Colorado?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current Colorado openings updated in real time. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly through each listing without creating an account or signing up.
See All 21 Design Lead Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead Jobs