Design Lead Jobs in Michigan
Design Lead jobs in Michigan are in steady demand, with the strongest concentration in automotive design, consumer products, and user experience across Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor. Established employers like General Motors, Herman Miller, and Steelcase have long maintained design leadership teams in the state, making Michigan one of the more active markets for senior individual contributors and people managers alike. Industrial design, UX, and brand design are the specialties drawing the most consistent hiring activity right now. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Design Lead jobs
You know appliances. You know how to sell. Here, the leads come to you.
KSI Family of Brands brings cabinetry, glass, flooring, and appliances together in our Northville design showroom. Your job is to sell appliances, give every customer an excellent experience, and partner with our designers so the appliance side of every project goes smoothly.
Where your customers come from
- Designer referrals. KSI has 10 showrooms in the area, and their designers send appliance selections from active kitchen and bath projects to you. These customers already have a design, a budget, and a reason to buy.
- Walk-in traffic. The design center draws homeowners shopping for finishes. You'll be there when they're ready to choose appliances.
- Builder and commercial accounts. You'll also have the opportunity to manage builder and commercial accounts.
What you'll do
- Sell. Guide customers to the right appliances and close the sale.
- Deliver an excellent experience. Be the customer's go-to person for appliances, from first visit through delivery. Answer questions clearly, follow up without being asked, and make buying easy.
- Partner with our designers. Work closely with KSI designers so appliance specs, dimensions, cutouts, and utility requirements match the cabinetry plan. Catch problems before they reach the job site.
- Own the appliance scope. Keep quotes, orders, model changes, and delivery timing accurate and in sync with the project, so nothing slips between design, ordering, and installation.
What you need
- Previous appliance sales experience (required).
- Strong technical knowledge: specs, installation requirements, and how appliances fit into a kitchen design.
- A natural way with customers and a record of hitting your numbers.
- Attention to detail and clear, reliable communication with designers and customers.
Schedule: Full-time, 5 days per week in the showroom.
Benefits: Full benefits package.
Apply today and tell us about the best appliance sale you've ever made.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $2,000,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
You know appliances. You know how to sell. Here, the leads come to you.
KSI Family of Brands brings cabinetry, glass, flooring, and appliances together in our Northville design showroom. Your job is to sell appliances, give every customer an excellent experience, and partner with our designers so the appliance side of every project goes smoothly.
Where your customers come from
- Designer referrals. KSI has 10 showrooms in the area, and their designers send appliance selections from active kitchen and bath projects to you. These customers already have a design, a budget, and a reason to buy.
- Walk-in traffic. The design center draws homeowners shopping for finishes. You'll be there when they're ready to choose appliances.
- Builder and commercial accounts. You'll also have the opportunity to manage builder and commercial accounts.
What you'll do
- Sell. Guide customers to the right appliances and close the sale.
- Deliver an excellent experience. Be the customer's go-to person for appliances, from first visit through delivery. Answer questions clearly, follow up without being asked, and make buying easy.
- Partner with our designers. Work closely with KSI designers so appliance specs, dimensions, cutouts, and utility requirements match the cabinetry plan. Catch problems before they reach the job site.
- Own the appliance scope. Keep quotes, orders, model changes, and delivery timing accurate and in sync with the project, so nothing slips between design, ordering, and installation.
What you need
- Previous appliance sales experience (required).
- Strong technical knowledge: specs, installation requirements, and how appliances fit into a kitchen design.
- A natural way with customers and a record of hitting your numbers.
- Attention to detail and clear, reliable communication with designers and customers.
Schedule: Full-time, 5 days per week in the showroom.
Benefits: Full benefits package.
Apply today and tell us about the best appliance sale you've ever made.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $2,000,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 12 Design Lead Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in design, industrial design, or a related field
- Seven or more years of design experience with at least two in a lead or director role
- Demonstrated ability to manage design teams and mentor junior designers
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or industry-specific CAD tools
- Portfolio showing end-to-end ownership of shipped products or brand systems
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, product, and marketing teams
Design Lead Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in Michigan?
Becoming a design lead in Michigan typically starts with a degree in graphic design, industrial design, UX, or a related discipline from a program at institutions like College for Creative Studies, Michigan State University, or the University of Michigan. No state-issued license is required for most design lead roles. Employers expect a portfolio demonstrating team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and ownership of design systems or products from concept through delivery.
How much do design leads make in Michigan?
Design leads in Michigan earn a median of about $86,660 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,590 for the lowest 10% to over $166,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in Michigan?
Michigan design lead roles are posted by General Motors (GM), HDR, and Wade Trim and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Michigan's auto industry, furniture manufacturing sector, and growing tech presence give the state an unusually broad range of design lead opportunities across physical products, digital platforms, and brand work.
Which Michigan cities have the most design lead jobs?
Warren, Detroit, and Holland have the most design lead openings in Michigan. Detroit drives volume through automotive and mobility companies headquartered in the metro, Grand Rapids is anchored by global furniture and consumer goods manufacturers like Steelcase and Herman Miller, and Ann Arbor's university-linked tech and health-tech employers add consistent demand for UX and product design leadership.
Are there remote design lead jobs in Michigan?
Yes, and more than many fields, since design lead work centered on digital products, UX, and brand systems translates well to remote collaboration. About 40% of design lead openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the role's flexibility. Industrial and automotive design leads are more likely to require on-site work given hands-on prototyping and manufacturing involvement.
How can I get hired as a design lead in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving into a lead role from a strong senior individual contributor position at a Michigan employer. Large manufacturers and tech firms in Grand Rapids and the Detroit metro regularly hire senior designers who take on informal mentorship before being promoted. Building a portfolio that shows project ownership, not just execution, and pursuing associate design programs at companies like General Motors or Steelcase gives candidates without formal lead titles a credible foundation to make that transition.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 Design Lead Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead Jobs