Design Lead Jobs in New York
Design Lead jobs in New York are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in technology, consumer products, financial services, and media, at levels from mid-career individual contributor through senior director. The heaviest hiring is in New York City, with additional openings in Brooklyn's tech corridor and White Plains. Employers with a lasting presence here include Google, Verizon, and Estée Lauder Companies. The most sought-after specialties are product design leadership, brand and visual systems, and UX strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 46+ Design Lead jobs
DESCRIPTION
Amazon's Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) team is looking for an Architectural Design Lead to lead a fast-moving, high-visibility program focused on rapid composite design delivery and operational readiness. This is a hands-on role that blends 2D/3D design execution with project and program management — built for someone who can do the work, run the program, and keep cross-functional teams aligned all at once.
You'll collaborate closely with design teams across the organization, driving composite delivery from kickoff to completion with speed and precision. If you think quickly, communicate clearly under pressure, and take pride in delivering high-quality design work on a tight timeline — this role was made for you.
Key job responsibilities
- Own end-to-end composite design delivery for a high-impact program, producing accurate 2D/3D designs using AutoCAD and Revit
- Manage project and program timelines, tracking deliverables, surfacing risks early, and keeping stakeholders informed
- Collaborate closely and continuously with design teams to align on scope, resolve blockers, and accelerate delivery
- Translate operational requirements into composite designs that meet construction and launch standards
- Support clash detection and under-the-roof design validation to reduce rework and protect capital investment
- Communicate proactively with business partners to maintain visibility on program status and design decisions
- Adapt quickly as project requirements evolve, maintaining quality without sacrificing speed
A day in the life
Your day is split between doing and managing. In the morning, you might be heads-down in Revit working through a composite, and by afternoon you're in a review with design partners, tracking open items and making sure nothing is blocking delivery. You're the person who knows where every deliverable stands, what's at risk, and what needs to happen next.
You communicate clearly, make quick decisions, and bring people with you. When the timeline tightens — and it will — you stay focused, stay collaborative, and find a way through.
About the team
The Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) team is Amazon's in-house design and scan organization, delivering the composite products that power network expansion across 17+ business units. We sit at the intersection of operational design, BIM data governance, and scan technology with direct impact on how Amazon builds, launches, and scales its fulfillment network.
Our team supports a diverse portfolio of building types including mixed-use fulfillment, pharmacy, Hazmat, Air, and Leo operations. We drive end-to-end composite delivery, clash detection, and under-the-roof design readiness ensuring design visibility is in place before breaking ground. We deploy scan technology to maintain accurate as-built composite catalogues, support Facility Twins efforts, and deliver measurable operational savings at scale.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of Design/Innovation, research & development, manufacturing, process, industrial engineering, or related experience
- Experience in management of engineering design projects
- Experience with CAD software (AutoCAD, REVIT, BIM 360, etc.)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Engineering (any domain) or foreign equivalent, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field
- Knowledge of concepts like system architecture, optimization, system dynamics, system analysis, statistical analysis, reliability analysis, and decision making
- Experience with complex automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, and systems and high-speed manufacturing
- Experience with design-in-safety
- Experience with process design based on Lean Principles
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, NY, New York - 109,200.00 - 185,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Bellevue - 99,300.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Amazon's Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) team is looking for an Architectural Design Lead to lead a fast-moving, high-visibility program focused on rapid composite design delivery and operational readiness. This is a hands-on role that blends 2D/3D design execution with project and program management — built for someone who can do the work, run the program, and keep cross-functional teams aligned all at once.
You'll collaborate closely with design teams across the organization, driving composite delivery from kickoff to completion with speed and precision. If you think quickly, communicate clearly under pressure, and take pride in delivering high-quality design work on a tight timeline — this role was made for you.
Key job responsibilities
- Own end-to-end composite design delivery for a high-impact program, producing accurate 2D/3D designs using AutoCAD and Revit
- Manage project and program timelines, tracking deliverables, surfacing risks early, and keeping stakeholders informed
- Collaborate closely and continuously with design teams to align on scope, resolve blockers, and accelerate delivery
- Translate operational requirements into composite designs that meet construction and launch standards
- Support clash detection and under-the-roof design validation to reduce rework and protect capital investment
- Communicate proactively with business partners to maintain visibility on program status and design decisions
- Adapt quickly as project requirements evolve, maintaining quality without sacrificing speed
A day in the life
Your day is split between doing and managing. In the morning, you might be heads-down in Revit working through a composite, and by afternoon you're in a review with design partners, tracking open items and making sure nothing is blocking delivery. You're the person who knows where every deliverable stands, what's at risk, and what needs to happen next.
You communicate clearly, make quick decisions, and bring people with you. When the timeline tightens — and it will — you stay focused, stay collaborative, and find a way through.
About the team
The Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) team is Amazon's in-house design and scan organization, delivering the composite products that power network expansion across 17+ business units. We sit at the intersection of operational design, BIM data governance, and scan technology with direct impact on how Amazon builds, launches, and scales its fulfillment network.
Our team supports a diverse portfolio of building types including mixed-use fulfillment, pharmacy, Hazmat, Air, and Leo operations. We drive end-to-end composite delivery, clash detection, and under-the-roof design readiness ensuring design visibility is in place before breaking ground. We deploy scan technology to maintain accurate as-built composite catalogues, support Facility Twins efforts, and deliver measurable operational savings at scale.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of Design/Innovation, research & development, manufacturing, process, industrial engineering, or related experience
- Experience in management of engineering design projects
- Experience with CAD software (AutoCAD, REVIT, BIM 360, etc.)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree in Engineering (any domain) or foreign equivalent, Operations, Business Administration, or a related field
- Knowledge of concepts like system architecture, optimization, system dynamics, system analysis, statistical analysis, reliability analysis, and decision making
- Experience with complex automated material handling equipment, packaging technologies, and systems and high-speed manufacturing
- Experience with design-in-safety
- Experience with process design based on Lean Principles
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, NY, New York - 109,200.00 - 185,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, Bellevue - 99,300.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
See All 46 Design Lead Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Popli Design5
- Rippling4
- Amazon3
- Meta3
- Euromarket Designs, Inc. (D/B/A Crate & Barrel And Cb2)2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software16
- Consulting & Professional Services9
- Construction & Real Estate6
- Marketing & Advertising3
- Retail3
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across New York.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field
- Five or more years of design experience with at least two years leading a team
- Strong portfolio demonstrating shipped products or brand systems at scale
- Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or equivalent design and prototyping tools
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with product, engineering, and marketing teams
- Excellent communication skills for presenting design rationale to senior stakeholders
Design Lead Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in New York?
Design lead is not a licensed or state-regulated role in New York, so the path runs through experience and portfolio rather than a credentialing board. Most employers in New York expect a degree in a design discipline, several years of hands-on design work, and a demonstrable record of mentoring designers or owning a product area end to end. Building experience at New York agencies, in-house teams, or startups is the most common route to a leadership title.
How much do design leads make in New York?
Design leads in New York earn a median of about $137,320 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,060 for the lowest 10% to over $280,320 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in New York?
Employers hiring design leads in New York right now include Popli Design, Rippling, and Amazon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New York's concentration of technology firms, financial institutions, and consumer brands means design lead roles appear across a wide range of industries and company sizes.
Which New York cities have the most design lead jobs?
New York, Albany, and Buffalo have the most design lead openings in New York. Manhattan dominates because of its dense cluster of technology companies, media groups, and corporate headquarters, while Brooklyn and any suburban markets on the list reflect employer campuses or remote-tolerant postings from companies headquartered in the city.
Are there remote design lead jobs in New York?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 11% of design lead openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the screen-based and collaborative-tools nature of the work. Strategic and systems-focused design lead roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions that require close collaboration with physical product or retail teams are more likely to require in-office presence.
How can I get hired as a design lead in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a lead role from a senior individual contributor position at a New York company, rather than applying for lead titles directly. Large New York employers in tech and consumer goods often post associate product designer or senior designer roles that include informal mentorship responsibilities, which builds the credentials needed to step into a lead title. A strong portfolio focused on systems thinking, user research, and cross-functional projects gives candidates the clearest edge in this market.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly through each listing.
See All 46 Design Lead Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead Jobs