Design Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Design Lead jobs in North Carolina are in steady demand, concentrated in technology, financial services, and healthcare sectors, with openings at every level from mid-career contributors through senior principals. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham account for the largest share of hiring, anchored by employers such as Bank of America, Red Hat, and Duke Health. UX leadership, product design direction, and design systems are the most consistently sought specializations across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 19+ Design Lead jobs
Job Summary
to support the development, maintenance, and enhancement of design infrastructure for quantum hardware development. The individual will work closely with design and simulation engineers on the quantum design team to develop and maintain Process Design Kits (PDKs), design automation and simulation workflows, design rule checking (DRC), and layout-versus-schematic (LVS) verification capabilities. The role will help improve design productivity, verification quality, and the scalability of hardware development processes
Key Responsibilities
- 3 years’ experience with commercial and open-source EDA tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, and GDSFactory.
- Experience developing and maintaining custom Process Design Kits (PDKs).
- Experience implementing, validating, and refining DRC and LVS verification flows.
- Strong software development experience in Python.
Skill Requirements
- Hands-on experience with Python-based design automation and GDSFactory.
- Familiarity with 2D and 3D finite-element simulation tools such as Ansys AEDT and COMSOL for electromagnetic, electrostatic, and magnetostatic analysis.
- Experience with the design, simulation, and operation of quantum hardware platforms, including superconducting qubits, quantum dots, and topological qubits.
- Domain knowledge of digital and analog ASIC design methodologies, high-speed circuits, and mixed-signal systems.
Other Requirements
Job Summary
to support the development, maintenance, and enhancement of design infrastructure for quantum hardware development. The individual will work closely with design and simulation engineers on the quantum design team to develop and maintain Process Design Kits (PDKs), design automation and simulation workflows, design rule checking (DRC), and layout-versus-schematic (LVS) verification capabilities. The role will help improve design productivity, verification quality, and the scalability of hardware development processes
Key Responsibilities
- 3 years’ experience with commercial and open-source EDA tools such as Cadence, Synopsys, and GDSFactory.
- Experience developing and maintaining custom Process Design Kits (PDKs).
- Experience implementing, validating, and refining DRC and LVS verification flows.
- Strong software development experience in Python.
Skill Requirements
- Hands-on experience with Python-based design automation and GDSFactory.
- Familiarity with 2D and 3D finite-element simulation tools such as Ansys AEDT and COMSOL for electromagnetic, electrostatic, and magnetostatic analysis.
- Experience with the design, simulation, and operation of quantum hardware platforms, including superconducting qubits, quantum dots, and topological qubits.
- Domain knowledge of digital and analog ASIC design methodologies, high-speed circuits, and mixed-signal systems.
Other Requirements
See All 19 Design Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Lead Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Energy
- Electronics & Hardware
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design lead jobs across North Carolina.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, or a related creative field
- Five or more years of experience in design with at least two in a lead role
- Demonstrated portfolio showing end-to-end product or brand design work
- Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or equivalent design and prototyping tools
- Experience mentoring junior designers and leading cross-functional creative reviews
- Familiarity with agile development workflows and collaborating with product and engineering teams
Design Lead Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design lead in North Carolina?
Becoming a design lead in North Carolina does not require a state-issued license. Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field, followed by several years of hands-on design work. Building a strong portfolio and taking on informal mentorship or project ownership at a current job is the most direct path. North Carolina's Research Triangle and Charlotte tech corridor both have active design communities where networking accelerates advancement.
How much do design leads make in North Carolina?
Design leads in North Carolina earn a median of about $90,000 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $56,460 for the lowest 10% to over $142,740 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design leads in North Carolina?
Employers hiring design leads in North Carolina right now include FuntoRecruit, McAdams Company, and Eaton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. North Carolina's concentration of fintech, enterprise software, and large health systems means design lead demand tends to be strongest among organizations undergoing digital transformation.
Which North Carolina cities have the most design lead jobs?
Raleigh, Charlotte, and Cary have the most design lead openings in North Carolina. Raleigh and Durham benefit from the Research Triangle's dense cluster of technology companies, universities, and health systems, while Charlotte's large financial services and corporate headquarters presence drives consistent demand for senior design leadership there.
Are there remote design lead jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, and more than most fields. Design lead work is well suited to remote and hybrid arrangements given its digital tooling and collaborative workflows. About 33% of design lead openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting how broadly distributed North Carolina employers have become with creative roles. UX and product design leadership positions tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a design lead in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a design lead role from a senior individual contributor position after demonstrating ownership on a major project. In North Carolina, large technology employers in the Research Triangle and financial institutions in Charlotte often promote internally from senior designer roles. Building a portfolio that shows systems thinking and some mentorship experience, even informally, signals readiness. Associate UX designer and product designer positions at companies like Red Hat or healthcare systems like UNC Health are common starting points.
Where can I find and apply to design lead jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to design lead jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the employer.
See All 19 Design Lead Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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