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.
Find Design Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 18+ Design Lead jobs
About Carrier
Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries and ensure safe transport of food, lifesaving medicines and more. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share. We continue to lead because of our world-class, inclusive workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow on Carrier social media at @Carrier.
Job Summary
The NPD Lead Design Engineer is responsible for leading design execution for New Product Development (NPD) programs. This senior individual contributor role owns the technical quality, completeness, and timely release of models, drawings, BOMs, and related documentation. The Lead Design Engineer serves as the primary design point of contact for assigned projects and provides technical leadership to onsite and offshore design resources. The role is hands-on, onsite, and focused on delivering robust, manufacturable designs that meet program objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design execution for NPD projects from concept through production release.
- Own technical integrity and consistency of CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and configurations
- Coordinate and drive Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), including scope definition, checklist completion, and release sequencing.
- Resolve complex design and integration issues in collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program teams.
- Provide day-to-day technical directions to onsite and offshore designers, including work assignments, review, and quality assurance.
- Ensure designs comply with engineering standards, drafting practices, and product development process requirements.
- Lead and participate in design reviews and cross-functional technical discussions.
- Track design progress and communicate status, risks, and issues to stakeholders.
- Support continuous improvement through lessons learned, best practices, and standard work adherence.
- Assembles documentation packages and produces drawing sets which are checked by an engineer or an architect.
- Calculate weights, volumes, and stress factors and their implications for technical aspects of designs.
- Locates files relating to specified design project in database library, loads program into computer, and records completed job data.
- Develops detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, controls, and simple subassembly parts, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Provides technical and task leadership to onsite and offshore designers without direct administrative people management responsibility.
- Works independently with minimal supervision
- Accountable for design quality, delivery, and execution for assigned NPD programs.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- 5+ years of product design experience in an engineering environment
- 3+ years working knowledge of PLM workflows and release processes.
- 3+ years CAD or 3D modeling experience.
- Willing and able to work occasional evenings or early mornings based on global team needs and project requirements.
- Willing and able to travel up to 5% of the year for product support (US & Mexico).
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Technology.
- Proficiency with CREO for 3D modeling and drawing creation, including Windchill.
- Experience coordinating and reviewing work from offshore design resources.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability principles
- Experience leading technical discussions and design reviews with multiple stakeholders.
- NPD or similarly complex development programs.
- Experience leading design work.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Experience in the HVAC industry.
- Industrial Machine Design experience.
Pay Range
The annual salary for this position is between $79,000.00 - $158,000.00 annually. Factors which may affect pay within this range include, but are not limited to, skills, education, experience, and other unique qualifications of the successful candidate.Other Compensation
This position may be entitled to short-term cash incentives, subject to plan requirements.Benefits
Employees are eligible for benefits, including:
Health Care Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives
Retirement Benefits
Time off and Leave: Paid vacation days, up to 15 days; paid sick days, up to 5 days; paid personal leave, up to 5 days; paid holidays, up to 13 days; birth and adoption leave; parental leave; family and medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; military leave; purchased vacation
Disability: Short-term and long-term disability
Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account; Health Care Spending Account; Dependent Care Spending Account
Tuition Assistance
To learn more about our benefits offering, please click here Work with us | Carrier Corporate. The specific benefits available to any employee may vary depending on state and local laws and eligibility factors, such as date of hire and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Carrier EEO Statement and Accommodations Process
Carrier is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Carrier provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with section 503 of Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise engage in the hiring process, please contact us at Carrier.Recruiting@carrier.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws.
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted for at least 3 days from Job Posting Date: 13 August 2026Job Applicant's Privacy Notice
Please click on the link to review the Job Applicant Privacy Notice.
Use of AI
Technology-enabled tools may support parts of the recruitment process, with oversight by people.
About Carrier
Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries and ensure safe transport of food, lifesaving medicines and more. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share. We continue to lead because of our world-class, inclusive workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow on Carrier social media at @Carrier.
Job Summary
The NPD Lead Design Engineer is responsible for leading design execution for New Product Development (NPD) programs. This senior individual contributor role owns the technical quality, completeness, and timely release of models, drawings, BOMs, and related documentation. The Lead Design Engineer serves as the primary design point of contact for assigned projects and provides technical leadership to onsite and offshore design resources. The role is hands-on, onsite, and focused on delivering robust, manufacturable designs that meet program objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design execution for NPD projects from concept through production release.
- Own technical integrity and consistency of CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and configurations
- Coordinate and drive Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), including scope definition, checklist completion, and release sequencing.
- Resolve complex design and integration issues in collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program teams.
- Provide day-to-day technical directions to onsite and offshore designers, including work assignments, review, and quality assurance.
- Ensure designs comply with engineering standards, drafting practices, and product development process requirements.
- Lead and participate in design reviews and cross-functional technical discussions.
- Track design progress and communicate status, risks, and issues to stakeholders.
- Support continuous improvement through lessons learned, best practices, and standard work adherence.
- Assembles documentation packages and produces drawing sets which are checked by an engineer or an architect.
- Calculate weights, volumes, and stress factors and their implications for technical aspects of designs.
- Locates files relating to specified design project in database library, loads program into computer, and records completed job data.
- Develops detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, controls, and simple subassembly parts, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Provides technical and task leadership to onsite and offshore designers without direct administrative people management responsibility.
- Works independently with minimal supervision
- Accountable for design quality, delivery, and execution for assigned NPD programs.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- 5+ years of product design experience in an engineering environment
- 3+ years working knowledge of PLM workflows and release processes.
- 3+ years CAD or 3D modeling experience.
- Willing and able to work occasional evenings or early mornings based on global team needs and project requirements.
- Willing and able to travel up to 5% of the year for product support (US & Mexico).
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Technology.
- Proficiency with CREO for 3D modeling and drawing creation, including Windchill.
- Experience coordinating and reviewing work from offshore design resources.
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability principles
- Experience leading technical discussions and design reviews with multiple stakeholders.
- NPD or similarly complex development programs.
- Experience leading design work.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Experience in the HVAC industry.
- Industrial Machine Design experience.
Pay Range
The annual salary for this position is between $79,000.00 - $158,000.00 annually. Factors which may affect pay within this range include, but are not limited to, skills, education, experience, and other unique qualifications of the successful candidate.Other Compensation
This position may be entitled to short-term cash incentives, subject to plan requirements.Benefits
Employees are eligible for benefits, including:
Health Care Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives
Retirement Benefits
Time off and Leave: Paid vacation days, up to 15 days; paid sick days, up to 5 days; paid personal leave, up to 5 days; paid holidays, up to 13 days; birth and adoption leave; parental leave; family and medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; military leave; purchased vacation
Disability: Short-term and long-term disability
Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account; Health Care Spending Account; Dependent Care Spending Account
Tuition Assistance
To learn more about our benefits offering, please click here Work with us | Carrier Corporate. The specific benefits available to any employee may vary depending on state and local laws and eligibility factors, such as date of hire and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Carrier EEO Statement and Accommodations Process
Carrier is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Carrier provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with section 503 of Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise engage in the hiring process, please contact us at Carrier.Recruiting@carrier.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws.
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted for at least 3 days from Job Posting Date: 13 August 2026Job Applicant's Privacy Notice
Please click on the link to review the Job Applicant Privacy Notice.
Use of AI
Technology-enabled tools may support parts of the recruitment process, with oversight by people.
See All 18 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
- Consulting & Professional Services
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 Carrier, McAdams Company, and HDR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville 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 50% of design lead openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 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 18 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 Jobs