Design Lead Jobs in Seattle, WA
Design Lead jobs in Seattle are in strong demand, concentrated in South Lake Union, Capitol Hill, and the Eastside corridor, across technology, e-commerce, and consumer products. Employers hiring right now include Horrocks, Rippling, and Blue Origin. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Summary
This role is responsible for supervising a team of Instructional Designers who develop and maintain critical learning programs for bus operators and first-line supervisors.
The Instructional Design Team Lead will provide leadership and hands-on oversight, ensuring training solutions are aligned with operational needs, safety standards, equity principles, and organizational performance goals. The role also partners with the Training Superintendent to establish data governance practices, key performance indicators (KPIs), and measurement frameworks that measure training effectiveness, workforce readiness, and business impact.
This position also serves as a key project manager for Bus Operations training initiatives and special projects, ensuring work is delivered on time, within scope, and at a high standard of instructional quality.
The ideal candidate is a strong people leader who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment, can manage competing priorities, and is skilled in coaching teams, building trust, and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
Learn how Metro connects you with what matters
The Bus Operations Division provides exemplary bus service for nearly 300,000 people in King County every day of the year. Bus Operations oversees the operation of Metro's eight bases and ensures that there is 24/7 support for bus operators, and manages the quality of service and responses to large events and adverse weather. Bus Operations also ensures that each of our 2,700+ transit operators are well-trained and able to provide safe, reliable, and courteous service to the riding public. The welcoming and inclusive environment created by our Training Team models customer service, encourages the development of respectful and trusting work relationships, and motivates staff to contribute to a culture of safety, respect, and care. The ideal candidate can collaborate with a diverse group of internal and external partners, agencies, and unions that support our agency’s goals of providing quality public service to King County residents.
Recruitment details: We are accepting applications from candidates internal to King County and from the general public. This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) term-limited temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Instructional Design Lead position within the Bus Operations Training section that is expected to be in place through the end of 2027, with the possibility of an extension of up to two additional years (through the end of 2029). This recruitment may also be used to create an eligibility pool of qualified candidates to fill future TLT or SDA openings in this classification and workgroup, for use up to 12 months after the creation of the pool, at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Note: Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to translate their life experiences to show how they meet required experience, knowledge, education, and skills.
Contact information: If you have additional questions about this recruitment or would like to have a confidential conversation about the advertised role, please contact: Renay Huggins Renay.Huggins@kingcounty.gov
Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Lead, supervise, and develop a team of Instructional Designers.
- Assign, prioritize, and review instructional design and development work
- Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development support
Project Management
- Lead project management and continuous improvement efforts for Bus Operations training
- Serve as project manager for training initiatives and special projects
- Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, deliverables, and data-driven reporting tools/dashboards to track project health, resource utilization, and velocity.
- Ensure training initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with priorities
Instructional Design & Learning Strategy
- Oversee the design and development of high-impact learning solutions (Instructor-led Training, eLearning, blended, microlearning)
- Ensure consistency and quality across instructional design outputs
- Align training programs with organizational and operational performance goals by mapping learning objectives to operational data trends (e.g., safety incident rates, compliance logs, operational efficiency metrics).
Partnership and Engagement
- Collaborate with operations leaders, Subject-Matter-Experts, instructors, labor partners, and others within the Metro Transit Department.
- Serve as a bridge between field operations and training execution
Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate effectiveness of training programs using quantitative and qualitative data, user feedback, and operational performance outcomes.
- Design and implement continuous evaluation frameworks (e.g., Kirkpatrick levels of evaluation) and leverage modern learning analytics tools to measure behavior change and business impact.
- Identify skill gaps in workforce development through data-driven training needs analysis (TNA) and recommend targeted solutions.
Systems, Standards & Compliance
- Develop and maintain instructional design standards, templates, and workflows
- Support accessibility, compliance, and regulatory training requirements
- Ensure alignment with agency policies and best practices
Licensing, Certifications, and Other Requirements
- Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
To be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience designing and leading in a supervisory capacity, end-to-end learning programs (not just course development)
- Strong analytical skills with experience analyzing, and synthesizing learning data to measure training efficacy, predict workforce performance gaps, and drive iterative curriculum improvements
- Strong project and program management skills, including managing multiple priorities and deadlines
- Experience building effective relationships across operational teams, leadership, and labor stakeholders using equity-centered practices
- Knowledge of learning science including adult learning theory and instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, workflow learning)
- Experience in curriculum development, learning pathways, and performance-based learning design
- Experience with eLearning tools (e.g., Articulate 360, Camtasia), LMS platforms, and visual/learning design principles
- Ability to conduct needs analysis and align learning solutions to organizational performance goals
Highly Competitive Candidates will bring these DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience leading learning strategy of a large organization
- Proficiency in instructional design, learning technologies, and LMS ecosystems
- Proven ability to drive measurable performance improvement through learning interventions
Supplemental Information
The work schedule is normally a day shift, Monday through Friday.
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime.
Primary Location: Bus Operations Training Facility, 3401 S Norfolk St, Seattle
Union/Class/Grade
Protec 17/243403/69
TO APPLY:
The following application materials are required:
- An online King County application, updated with all relevant work history going back 5 years (or more, if necessary to include all relevant work experience), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
- Complete all supplemental questions within the application.
- A cover letter no longer than 1 page that answers "Please describe your experience and qualifications that position you as an ideal candidate for the Instructional Design Lead."
Any additional attachments will not be considered.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants meeting the posted qualifications will be screened based on clarity, completeness, and competitiveness of their application materials. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Final hiring decisions may consider both your overall interview results and your application materials. Employment offers and start dates will be finalized only after the selected candidate has successfully completed all pre-employment requirements, which may include reference checks, and/or a King County Personnel Record Review. The employment history detailed in your application must validate and support your responses within the supplemental questions and attachments. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as internal record reviews or reference checks, etc. Applications submitted without the required application materials listed above may be deemed incomplete and removed from consideration.
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
Safety Responsibilities for an Employee
- Responsible for understanding this policy and their role in safety
- Report all safety concerns
- Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training
- Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system
Summary
This role is responsible for supervising a team of Instructional Designers who develop and maintain critical learning programs for bus operators and first-line supervisors.
The Instructional Design Team Lead will provide leadership and hands-on oversight, ensuring training solutions are aligned with operational needs, safety standards, equity principles, and organizational performance goals. The role also partners with the Training Superintendent to establish data governance practices, key performance indicators (KPIs), and measurement frameworks that measure training effectiveness, workforce readiness, and business impact.
This position also serves as a key project manager for Bus Operations training initiatives and special projects, ensuring work is delivered on time, within scope, and at a high standard of instructional quality.
The ideal candidate is a strong people leader who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment, can manage competing priorities, and is skilled in coaching teams, building trust, and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
Learn how Metro connects you with what matters
The Bus Operations Division provides exemplary bus service for nearly 300,000 people in King County every day of the year. Bus Operations oversees the operation of Metro's eight bases and ensures that there is 24/7 support for bus operators, and manages the quality of service and responses to large events and adverse weather. Bus Operations also ensures that each of our 2,700+ transit operators are well-trained and able to provide safe, reliable, and courteous service to the riding public. The welcoming and inclusive environment created by our Training Team models customer service, encourages the development of respectful and trusting work relationships, and motivates staff to contribute to a culture of safety, respect, and care. The ideal candidate can collaborate with a diverse group of internal and external partners, agencies, and unions that support our agency’s goals of providing quality public service to King County residents.
Recruitment details: We are accepting applications from candidates internal to King County and from the general public. This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) term-limited temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Instructional Design Lead position within the Bus Operations Training section that is expected to be in place through the end of 2027, with the possibility of an extension of up to two additional years (through the end of 2029). This recruitment may also be used to create an eligibility pool of qualified candidates to fill future TLT or SDA openings in this classification and workgroup, for use up to 12 months after the creation of the pool, at the discretion of the hiring authority.
Note: Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to translate their life experiences to show how they meet required experience, knowledge, education, and skills.
Contact information: If you have additional questions about this recruitment or would like to have a confidential conversation about the advertised role, please contact: Renay Huggins Renay.Huggins@kingcounty.gov
Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Lead, supervise, and develop a team of Instructional Designers.
- Assign, prioritize, and review instructional design and development work
- Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development support
Project Management
- Lead project management and continuous improvement efforts for Bus Operations training
- Serve as project manager for training initiatives and special projects
- Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, deliverables, and data-driven reporting tools/dashboards to track project health, resource utilization, and velocity.
- Ensure training initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with priorities
Instructional Design & Learning Strategy
- Oversee the design and development of high-impact learning solutions (Instructor-led Training, eLearning, blended, microlearning)
- Ensure consistency and quality across instructional design outputs
- Align training programs with organizational and operational performance goals by mapping learning objectives to operational data trends (e.g., safety incident rates, compliance logs, operational efficiency metrics).
Partnership and Engagement
- Collaborate with operations leaders, Subject-Matter-Experts, instructors, labor partners, and others within the Metro Transit Department.
- Serve as a bridge between field operations and training execution
Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate effectiveness of training programs using quantitative and qualitative data, user feedback, and operational performance outcomes.
- Design and implement continuous evaluation frameworks (e.g., Kirkpatrick levels of evaluation) and leverage modern learning analytics tools to measure behavior change and business impact.
- Identify skill gaps in workforce development through data-driven training needs analysis (TNA) and recommend targeted solutions.
Systems, Standards & Compliance
- Develop and maintain instructional design standards, templates, and workflows
- Support accessibility, compliance, and regulatory training requirements
- Ensure alignment with agency policies and best practices
Licensing, Certifications, and Other Requirements
- Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely fashion.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
To be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of 2 years of experience designing and leading in a supervisory capacity, end-to-end learning programs (not just course development)
- Strong analytical skills with experience analyzing, and synthesizing learning data to measure training efficacy, predict workforce performance gaps, and drive iterative curriculum improvements
- Strong project and program management skills, including managing multiple priorities and deadlines
- Experience building effective relationships across operational teams, leadership, and labor stakeholders using equity-centered practices
- Knowledge of learning science including adult learning theory and instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM, workflow learning)
- Experience in curriculum development, learning pathways, and performance-based learning design
- Experience with eLearning tools (e.g., Articulate 360, Camtasia), LMS platforms, and visual/learning design principles
- Ability to conduct needs analysis and align learning solutions to organizational performance goals
Highly Competitive Candidates will bring these DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience leading learning strategy of a large organization
- Proficiency in instructional design, learning technologies, and LMS ecosystems
- Proven ability to drive measurable performance improvement through learning interventions
Supplemental Information
The work schedule is normally a day shift, Monday through Friday.
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime.
Primary Location: Bus Operations Training Facility, 3401 S Norfolk St, Seattle
Union/Class/Grade
Protec 17/243403/69
TO APPLY:
The following application materials are required:
- An online King County application, updated with all relevant work history going back 5 years (or more, if necessary to include all relevant work experience), with all duties, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving explained clearly.
- Complete all supplemental questions within the application.
- A cover letter no longer than 1 page that answers "Please describe your experience and qualifications that position you as an ideal candidate for the Instructional Design Lead."
Any additional attachments will not be considered.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants meeting the posted qualifications will be screened based on clarity, completeness, and competitiveness of their application materials. The most competitive applicants may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Final hiring decisions may consider both your overall interview results and your application materials. Employment offers and start dates will be finalized only after the selected candidate has successfully completed all pre-employment requirements, which may include reference checks, and/or a King County Personnel Record Review. The employment history detailed in your application must validate and support your responses within the supplemental questions and attachments. Formal offers will be finalized after candidates have successfully completed any necessary pre-employment processes, such as internal record reviews or reference checks, etc. Applications submitted without the required application materials listed above may be deemed incomplete and removed from consideration.
King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.
King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.
Safety Responsibilities for an Employee
- Responsible for understanding this policy and their role in safety
- Report all safety concerns
- Follow safety practices and procedures as necessary to maintain a safe work environment and in conformance with applicable regulations, policies, and training
- Report safety and security concerns and ideas to supervisors or anonymously through data collection system
See All 20 Design Lead Jobs in Seattle
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Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Job Market in Seattle
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
Design Lead Jobs in Seattle: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a design lead job in Seattle?
The strongest path into a design lead role in Seattle is through the city's dense technology and product ecosystem, particularly among software platforms, e-commerce companies, and enterprise SaaS firms concentrated in South Lake Union and the Eastside. Candidates who can demonstrate cross-functional collaboration with product and engineering teams, a portfolio showing systems-level thinking, and experience leading junior designers stand out in Seattle's competitive market.
Which companies hire design leads in Seattle?
Companies currently hiring design leads in Seattle include Horrocks, Rippling, and Blue Origin, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Seattle's hiring mix skews heavily toward large technology firms and high-growth product companies, alongside a growing number of agency studios and in-house teams at consumer brands headquartered in the region.
Are there remote design lead jobs in Seattle?
Yes, though availability depends on the specialization: strategic and digital product design leads tend to work remotely more often, while roles tied to physical products, retail environments, or in-person collaboration typically require on-site presence. About 88% of design lead openings tied to Seattle are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. Hybrid arrangements are especially common among Seattle's large technology employers.
How can I get a design lead job in Seattle with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Seattle is moving into a senior individual-contributor design role at a mid-size technology or e-commerce company, then stepping into lead responsibilities from within. Seattle employers, including several large platform companies and agency studios in Capitol Hill and Belltown, regularly promote strong senior designers who show initiative on cross-functional projects. Contributing to Seattle's active design community and building a portfolio that highlights mentorship and design systems work accelerates that path.
Which industries hire the most design leads in Seattle?
The sectors hiring the most design leads in Seattle are Technology & Software and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Seattle's concentration of global technology headquarters, major e-commerce operations, and a growing health technology sector creates consistent, year-round demand for experienced design leaders across both product and brand disciplines.
Related Jobs in Washington
See All 20 Design Lead Jobs in Seattle
Find roles in Seattle that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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