Design Lead Jobs in New Jersey
Design Lead jobs in New Jersey are in steady demand, with concentrations in consumer products, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and digital media and openings at every level from associate to senior design lead. Newark, Jersey City, and Princeton are the largest hiring metros, anchored by employers with long-standing New Jersey presences such as Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial, and Comcast NBCUniversal. The most sought-after specialties are UX and product design leadership, brand and visual identity direction, and design systems management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Design Lead jobs
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Lead Engineer (Design Quality Assurance)
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Princeton, NJ location in the Abbott Point of Care Diagnostics Division. We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people.
The Lead Engineer (Design Quality Assurance) will work in the Quality Assurance organization at the Abbott Point of Care Princeton.
What You’ll Work On
Primary on-market quality assurance support for design control activities.
Provide guidance and direction to multi-disciplinary personnel involved in product development and production to arrive at solutions that support the company’s business objectives and quality standards.
Able to define document requirements for products, process and test methods verifications and validations in accordance with FDA QSR’s and specific Design Control projects activities.
Understanding of process, design and product/design verification/validation.
Able to relate information to specifications, product claims and design.
Uses clinical knowledge, understanding of competitor’s products, and extrapolation from limited data to assure fitness for use.
Responsible for implementation of design control policies and procedures.
Contributes to the design, development and implementation of comprehensive product assurance plans providing feedback and corrective action for engineering, manufacturing, service and field operations and suppliers performance.
Liaises with project and program team members on technical and quality matters.
Analyzing and interpreting data will be an integral part of the daily responsibilities.
Able to utilize data to make driven decisions and recommendations.
Provide and / or participate in Design Control training.
Responsible for review and approval of elements of Design Control including but not limited to: Planning, Device History File(s), Change Control and associated and supporting documentation.
May have responsibilities for review and approval of DMF, DMR, MVP, and FMEA.
Ensures that quality and compliance with site procedures are communicated and implemented.
Required Qualifications
B.Sc. in science or engineering.
6-10 years of general work experience
4-6 years of Quality Assurance experience in medical device manufacturing or pharmaceutical industries.
Design Control Experience is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Process Validation is an asset
Membership on the American Society of Quality Control (ASQ) or Society of Reliability Engineers is an asset.
Good knowledge of quality regulations and standards, statistical calculation and measurement and manufacturing processes.
Strong knowledge of inspection methods in design, fabrication and production of electronic equipment. Demonstrated skill in using test and measuring equipment. Working knowledge of GMP, ISO standards, FDA regulations, and Health Canada.
Superior analytical and problem-solving skills and statistical applications experience.
Ability to be creativity in achieving objectives while assuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
Proven organizational and leadership skills. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels in the organization.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: https://abbottbenefits.com/
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at abbott.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AbbottCareers.
The base pay for this position is $86,700.00 – $173,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Lead Engineer (Design Quality Assurance)
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Princeton, NJ location in the Abbott Point of Care Diagnostics Division. We’re empowering smarter medical and economic decision-making to help transform the way people manage their health at all stages of life. Every day, more than 10 million tests are run on Abbott’s diagnostics instruments, providing lab results for millions of people.
The Lead Engineer (Design Quality Assurance) will work in the Quality Assurance organization at the Abbott Point of Care Princeton.
What You’ll Work On
Primary on-market quality assurance support for design control activities.
Provide guidance and direction to multi-disciplinary personnel involved in product development and production to arrive at solutions that support the company’s business objectives and quality standards.
Able to define document requirements for products, process and test methods verifications and validations in accordance with FDA QSR’s and specific Design Control projects activities.
Understanding of process, design and product/design verification/validation.
Able to relate information to specifications, product claims and design.
Uses clinical knowledge, understanding of competitor’s products, and extrapolation from limited data to assure fitness for use.
Responsible for implementation of design control policies and procedures.
Contributes to the design, development and implementation of comprehensive product assurance plans providing feedback and corrective action for engineering, manufacturing, service and field operations and suppliers performance.
Liaises with project and program team members on technical and quality matters.
Analyzing and interpreting data will be an integral part of the daily responsibilities.
Able to utilize data to make driven decisions and recommendations.
Provide and / or participate in Design Control training.
Responsible for review and approval of elements of Design Control including but not limited to: Planning, Device History File(s), Change Control and associated and supporting documentation.
May have responsibilities for review and approval of DMF, DMR, MVP, and FMEA.
Ensures that quality and compliance with site procedures are communicated and implemented.
Required Qualifications
B.Sc. in science or engineering.
6-10 years of general work experience
4-6 years of Quality Assurance experience in medical device manufacturing or pharmaceutical industries.
Design Control Experience is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of Process Validation is an asset
Membership on the American Society of Quality Control (ASQ) or Society of Reliability Engineers is an asset.
Good knowledge of quality regulations and standards, statistical calculation and measurement and manufacturing processes.
Strong knowledge of inspection methods in design, fabrication and production of electronic equipment. Demonstrated skill in using test and measuring equipment. Working knowledge of GMP, ISO standards, FDA regulations, and Health Canada.
Superior analytical and problem-solving skills and statistical applications experience.
Ability to be creativity in achieving objectives while assuring compliance with internal and external requirements.
Proven organizational and leadership skills. Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels in the organization.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: https://abbottbenefits.com/
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at abbott.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AbbottCareers.
The base pay for this position is $86,700.00 – $173,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
See All 7 Design Lead Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Transportation & Logistics
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, UX, product design, or a related field
- Five or more years of professional design experience including team leadership
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design ownership across shipped digital or physical products
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or equivalent industry-standard design tools
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and align design with business goals
- Experience establishing or maintaining design systems, guidelines, or brand standards
Design Lead Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in New Jersey?
Design lead roles in New Jersey require no state-issued license or registration. The typical path starts with a bachelor's degree in design, UX, or a closely related field, followed by several years of hands-on design work building toward a leadership role. New Jersey employers in pharma, financial services, and media strongly favor candidates who can show a portfolio of shipped work, cross-functional collaboration, and at least some experience mentoring or directing other designers.
How much do design leads make in New Jersey?
Design leads in New Jersey earn a median of about $129,200 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $87,700 for the lowest 10% to over $195,450 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in New Jersey?
Employers hiring design leads in New Jersey right now include Ryder System, JPMorganChase, and Abbott, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. New Jersey's concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, financial services firms, and media companies means design lead demand is spread across both corporate in-house teams and product-focused tech divisions.
Which New Jersey cities have the most design lead jobs?
Trenton, Jersey City, and Camden have the most design lead openings in New Jersey. Jersey City and Newark benefit from proximity to New York City's creative and financial industries, pulling in in-house and agency roles alike, while Princeton and surrounding central New Jersey corridors concentrate hiring around major pharmaceutical and consumer goods headquarters.
Are there remote design lead jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 60% of design lead openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much of the role centers on digital collaboration, stakeholder reviews, and design tool work that translates well to distributed teams. The parts most likely to require on-site presence are workshop facilitation, client presentations, and cross-functional sprint sessions.
How can I get hired as a design lead in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a mid-level individual contributor design role first, then growing into leadership. Large New Jersey employers in pharmaceuticals and financial services, such as corporate creative teams at major central New Jersey headquarters, regularly bring on junior and associate designers and promote from within. Building a strong portfolio through freelance, open-source, or nonprofit design work in New Jersey's active arts and startup communities can also help bridge the experience gap before making a move to a lead title.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current New Jersey openings updated in real time. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 7 Design Lead Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead Jobs