Design Manager Jobs in California
Design Manager jobs in California are in high demand, with active hiring concentrated in technology, entertainment, consumer goods, and real estate development, and openings ranging from junior design lead through senior director of design. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose, where companies like Apple, Google, and Salesforce maintain significant design organization presences. Product design management, UX design leadership, and brand and creative direction are consistently the most sought-after specialties across California. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 270+ Design Manager jobs
In Places, we don’t sit back and let things happen, we make things happen and we do this in service to all Apple employees and customers. Our team is a diverse and forward-thinking group that manages Apple’s workplaces and workplace service. We develop and run Apple’s global real estate portfolio, lead all related capital construction projects, providing outstanding facilities and site services, develop and lead sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of all Apple facilities, including commute and renewable energy programs, and do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all Apple personnel, facilities, and customers in our facilities around the world!
Description
You will have close coordination with project managers, design team, and design builders from project initiation through the completion of the project. You will also interface with Maintenance Operation Team to evaluate the equipment specified and influence future design and specifications to reduce future costs.","responsibilities":"Perform due diligence on project requirements and support project managers from initiation through building and tenant improvement design to ensure compliance with Apple standards.
Evaluate site and building selection with code, cost and schedule in mind.
Review and approve submittals and respond to RFIs.
Review building systems capacity and performance, including equipment schedules and BMS trends.
Review project schedules and coordinate the building design review process.
Troubleshoot building operation issues and support Maintenance Operations in evaluating specified equipment to reduce future costs.
Review Planning Group proposals and asset disposition. [Clarify what this means.]
Maintain and train others on Mechanical, Plumbing, Commissioning, and Process guidelines and templates.
Provide technical support to EH&S, Fire Protection and Alarm, Controls, Electrical and Energy groups.
Help select commissioning agents and review and approve their plans, reports, sequences of operations and test scripts.
Meet with engineering groups, operations and business units to understand requirements and provide MEP design guidance on mechanical, electrical and process piping solutions.
Engage site operations from design through project turnover.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with a proven ability to partner effectively with project managers, design teams, and operations units at all levels.
Highly adaptable and agile, with the ability to pivot quickly and manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to provide high-level technical guidance and strategic recommendations on electrical systems and infrastructure.
Experience with PLC and DDC building management systems, including the ability to lead design discussions and review sequences of operations.
Experience overseeing commissioning agents, including reviewing and approving commissioning plans and reports.
Strong strategic mindset with a commitment to making decisions that uphold the organization's long-term interests, facility standards, and operational excellence.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field, or equivalent practical experience.
Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
7+ years of experience in a Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) construction, engineering, or design capacity.
Demonstrated experience in the design and construction of laboratory facilities.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $178,800 and $268,400, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
In Places, we don’t sit back and let things happen, we make things happen and we do this in service to all Apple employees and customers. Our team is a diverse and forward-thinking group that manages Apple’s workplaces and workplace service. We develop and run Apple’s global real estate portfolio, lead all related capital construction projects, providing outstanding facilities and site services, develop and lead sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of all Apple facilities, including commute and renewable energy programs, and do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all Apple personnel, facilities, and customers in our facilities around the world!
Description
You will have close coordination with project managers, design team, and design builders from project initiation through the completion of the project. You will also interface with Maintenance Operation Team to evaluate the equipment specified and influence future design and specifications to reduce future costs.","responsibilities":"Perform due diligence on project requirements and support project managers from initiation through building and tenant improvement design to ensure compliance with Apple standards.
Evaluate site and building selection with code, cost and schedule in mind.
Review and approve submittals and respond to RFIs.
Review building systems capacity and performance, including equipment schedules and BMS trends.
Review project schedules and coordinate the building design review process.
Troubleshoot building operation issues and support Maintenance Operations in evaluating specified equipment to reduce future costs.
Review Planning Group proposals and asset disposition. [Clarify what this means.]
Maintain and train others on Mechanical, Plumbing, Commissioning, and Process guidelines and templates.
Provide technical support to EH&S, Fire Protection and Alarm, Controls, Electrical and Energy groups.
Help select commissioning agents and review and approve their plans, reports, sequences of operations and test scripts.
Meet with engineering groups, operations and business units to understand requirements and provide MEP design guidance on mechanical, electrical and process piping solutions.
Engage site operations from design through project turnover.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with a proven ability to partner effectively with project managers, design teams, and operations units at all levels.
Highly adaptable and agile, with the ability to pivot quickly and manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to provide high-level technical guidance and strategic recommendations on electrical systems and infrastructure.
Experience with PLC and DDC building management systems, including the ability to lead design discussions and review sequences of operations.
Experience overseeing commissioning agents, including reviewing and approving commissioning plans and reports.
Strong strategic mindset with a commitment to making decisions that uphold the organization's long-term interests, facility standards, and operational excellence.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field, or equivalent practical experience.
Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
7+ years of experience in a Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) construction, engineering, or design capacity.
Demonstrated experience in the design and construction of laboratory facilities.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $178,800 and $268,400, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See All 270+ Design Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Manager JobsDesign Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Tesla16
- Gensler8
- Google7
- Jacobs7
- KLA5
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate12
- Technology & Software11
- Consulting & Professional Services7
- Manufacturing6
- Electronics & Hardware2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in design, visual communications, or a related field required
- Five or more years of design experience with at least two in a lead or management role
- Demonstrated experience building and mentoring cross-functional design teams
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable design and prototyping tools
- Experience partnering with product, engineering, and marketing stakeholders on design strategy
- Strong portfolio showing end-to-end design process from research through final execution
Design Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design manager in California?
The most direct path is building several years of hands-on design experience, then transitioning into a lead or principal designer role before moving into people management. California does not require a state-issued license to work as a design manager. Employers typically look for a bachelor's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related discipline, combined with a portfolio that demonstrates both design craft and cross-functional leadership on real product or brand initiatives.
How much do design managers make in California?
Design managers in California earn a median of about $137,780 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,500 for the lowest 10% to over $249,210 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design managers in California?
Employers hiring design managers in California right now include Tesla, Gensler, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, entertainment studios, and consumer brand companies means design management roles surface across a wide range of industries and company sizes throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most design manager jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose account for the most design manager openings in California. The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles drive the majority of listings because of their dense concentrations of technology headquarters, media and entertainment companies, and consumer product brands, all of which maintain in-house design organizations that regularly hire at the manager level.
Are there remote design manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 56% of design manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and collaborative nature of the work. Strategic and UX-focused design manager roles tend to be the most remote-friendly, while roles tied to physical product development or studio production typically require more regular on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a design manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a senior individual contributor design role first, then stepping into team lead or principal designer responsibilities within that company before pursuing a formal manager title. Large California technology employers like Apple and Google run structured associate and new-grad design programs that develop design talent over time. Building a portfolio that documents not just visual output but your decision-making process and collaboration with product and engineering teams gives candidates without management titles a concrete edge in California applications.
Where can I find and apply to design manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to design manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metro areas. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 270+ Design Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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