Design Lead Jobs in Minnesota
Design Lead jobs in Minnesota are concentrated in the Twin Cities metro, with additional hiring in Rochester and Duluth, where companies like Target, 3M, and Best Buy maintain sizable in-house design teams. The most in-demand specialties are product design, brand and visual systems, and UX design leadership, reflecting the state's strong retail technology, medical device, and consumer goods sectors. Minnesota sits among the more active Midwest markets for senior design talent, with demand at levels from senior individual contributor to director-track leadership. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Design Lead jobs
Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Project Engineer, PE to join our Transportation team in our Plymouth or Eden Prairie office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of professionals and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. With over 75 years of experience, Bolton & Menk specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions across the Southeast, Midwest, and beyond.
This role will have a focus on transportation projects and coordinate planning, development, and completion of projects ensuring client satisfaction. You will work closely with Project Managers in understanding client needs and expectations.
We are looking for candidates who possess a high capacity for self-motivation and can apply engineering and transportation knowledge to a variety of projects. In addition, you must be able to develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and staff from various agencies.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Performs complex design computations.
- Prepares and presents preliminary reports and feasibility studies.
- Develops, supervises and reviews the design and the preparation of concept and preliminary roadway layouts.
- Responsible for the planning, scheduling, and performance of multiple engineering projects while directing the work of other engineers and technicians.
- Supports business development activities including RFP’s, presentations and community engagement activities while developing relationships with regulatory agencies.
- Lead junior staff and promote the growth of their technical skills
- Identifies the project scope, participates in the contract negotiation and develops and monitors project budgets and implements corrective action as appropriate.
- Assists with the problem resolution related to projects and provides technical advice regarding design to clients and managerial staff.
What We Are Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)
- 10+ years' progressive experience in the civil engineering field, including experience working with transportation infrastructure
- Strong working technical knowledge of engineering principles and practices
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment
- Experience and enjoyment managing and mentoring staff
- Experience and enjoyment developing and analyzing creative and innovative roadway improvements
- Strong active listening and team building skills
- Proficiency in Microstation preferred
- Project management experience preferred
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis, part-time basis or internship for any employer without restriction. Bolton & Menk does not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this position.
Salary Range: $115,000 - $142,000 depending on years of experience and credentials
Bolton & Menk is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to specific geographic location. Bolton & Menk reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
Supporting Our Employees
There’s life at work and life outside of work. Bolton & Menk has a number of benefit programs and amenities to support you and your family throughout whatever stage of life you are in.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation plan - overtime compensation available to most employees
- Discretionary bonuses available to most employees
- ESOP - Employee ownership (ESOP); 100% company-paid contributions
- 401(k) Match Program
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
- Six paid company holidays
- Two floating personal holidays for events that are important in your life
- Tuition reimbursement
- Parental leave
- Short term and Long-term disability
- Dependent care reimbursement
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
WHY BOLTON & MENK?
Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 1,200 employees throughout more than 40 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina and South Carolina providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies. Learn more about our history here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/ (https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/)
OUR BENEFITS
At Bolton & Menk, we value our people and provide an exceptional Total Compensation and Benefits Package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Perks of being a Bolton & Menk employee include peace of mind with our benefits package and competitive compensation plan, flexible schedules, and career development opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers (https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers)
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bolton & Menk does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies in response to Bolton & Menk job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team.
It is our responsibility and privilege to embrace the diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences necessary to develop infrastructure systems that serve all people. Bolton & Menk, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer including disability and vets.
Education
Preferred- Bachelors or better in Civil Engineering
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Professional Engineer
Skills
Preferred- CIVIL3D
- MicroStation
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Project Engineer, PE to join our Transportation team in our Plymouth or Eden Prairie office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of professionals and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. With over 75 years of experience, Bolton & Menk specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions across the Southeast, Midwest, and beyond.
This role will have a focus on transportation projects and coordinate planning, development, and completion of projects ensuring client satisfaction. You will work closely with Project Managers in understanding client needs and expectations.
We are looking for candidates who possess a high capacity for self-motivation and can apply engineering and transportation knowledge to a variety of projects. In addition, you must be able to develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and staff from various agencies.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Performs complex design computations.
- Prepares and presents preliminary reports and feasibility studies.
- Develops, supervises and reviews the design and the preparation of concept and preliminary roadway layouts.
- Responsible for the planning, scheduling, and performance of multiple engineering projects while directing the work of other engineers and technicians.
- Supports business development activities including RFP’s, presentations and community engagement activities while developing relationships with regulatory agencies.
- Lead junior staff and promote the growth of their technical skills
- Identifies the project scope, participates in the contract negotiation and develops and monitors project budgets and implements corrective action as appropriate.
- Assists with the problem resolution related to projects and provides technical advice regarding design to clients and managerial staff.
What We Are Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)
- 10+ years' progressive experience in the civil engineering field, including experience working with transportation infrastructure
- Strong working technical knowledge of engineering principles and practices
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment
- Experience and enjoyment managing and mentoring staff
- Experience and enjoyment developing and analyzing creative and innovative roadway improvements
- Strong active listening and team building skills
- Proficiency in Microstation preferred
- Project management experience preferred
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis, part-time basis or internship for any employer without restriction. Bolton & Menk does not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this position.
Salary Range: $115,000 - $142,000 depending on years of experience and credentials
Bolton & Menk is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to specific geographic location. Bolton & Menk reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
Supporting Our Employees
There’s life at work and life outside of work. Bolton & Menk has a number of benefit programs and amenities to support you and your family throughout whatever stage of life you are in.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation plan - overtime compensation available to most employees
- Discretionary bonuses available to most employees
- ESOP - Employee ownership (ESOP); 100% company-paid contributions
- 401(k) Match Program
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
- Six paid company holidays
- Two floating personal holidays for events that are important in your life
- Tuition reimbursement
- Parental leave
- Short term and Long-term disability
- Dependent care reimbursement
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
WHY BOLTON & MENK?
Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 1,200 employees throughout more than 40 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina and South Carolina providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies. Learn more about our history here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/ (https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/)
OUR BENEFITS
At Bolton & Menk, we value our people and provide an exceptional Total Compensation and Benefits Package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Perks of being a Bolton & Menk employee include peace of mind with our benefits package and competitive compensation plan, flexible schedules, and career development opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers (https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers)
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bolton & Menk does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies in response to Bolton & Menk job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team.
It is our responsibility and privilege to embrace the diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences necessary to develop infrastructure systems that serve all people. Bolton & Menk, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer including disability and vets.
Education
Preferred- Bachelors or better in Civil Engineering
Licenses & Certifications
Required- Professional Engineer
Skills
Preferred- CIVIL3D
- MicroStation
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 12 Design Lead Jobs in Minnesota
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Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in Minnesota
Where Minnesota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in Minnesota
A snapshot from current Minnesota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Minnesota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across Minnesota.
- Bachelor's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related creative field
- Five or more years of design experience with at least two in a leadership or team-lead role
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end ownership of product or brand design systems
- Experience mentoring designers and facilitating cross-functional creative reviews
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or equivalent design and prototyping tools
- Strong communication skills for presenting design strategy to non-design stakeholders
Design Lead Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in Minnesota?
Becoming a design lead in Minnesota typically starts with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, industrial design, or a related field from a program at institutions like the University of Minnesota or Minneapolis College of Art and Design. There is no state-issued license required for design leads. Employers look for a strong portfolio, demonstrated leadership of design projects, and experience collaborating across product, engineering, or marketing teams before promoting or hiring into a lead role.
How much do design leads make in Minnesota?
Design leads in Minnesota earn a median of about $109,700 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $70,810 for the lowest 10% to over $177,680 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in Minnesota?
Minnesota design lead roles are posted by Target, ARCHKEY SOLUTIONS, and SRF Consulting Group and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Minnesota's concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in retail, healthcare technology, and financial services means in-house design teams here tend to be large and hire at the lead level with some regularity.
Which Minnesota cities have the most design lead jobs?
Minneapolis, Plymouth, and Owatonna have the most design lead openings in Minnesota. The Twin Cities dominate because Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealth Group, and dozens of mid-size technology and consumer brands are headquartered or have major offices there, while Rochester draws design talent through Mayo Clinic's large digital and product teams.
Are there remote design lead jobs in Minnesota?
Yes, and more than many fields, since design lead work centers on digital tools, collaborative software, and visual deliverables that travel well online. About 67% of design lead openings tied to Minnesota are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly companies have accepted distributed design teams. Strategic and systems-level design work tends to be the most remote-friendly, while roles with heavy in-person workshop facilitation or physical product design often require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a design lead in Minnesota with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is building a portfolio through associate or mid-level design roles at Minnesota companies known for structured design teams, such as Target, General Mills, or Optum, before stepping into a lead title. Look for junior design programs or rotational opportunities at large Twin Cities employers, and consider UX or brand designer roles as the natural lateral entry. A degree from a Minnesota design program and a portfolio showing any ownership of a project from brief to final delivery will carry more weight than a title alone.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in Minnesota?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in Minnesota on Migrate Mate, which lists current Minnesota openings. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and preferred location or work arrangement, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 Design Lead Jobs in Minnesota
Find roles in Minnesota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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