Design Project Manager Jobs in California
Design Project Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand running from coordinator-level roles through senior and director positions across architecture, tech product, entertainment, and consumer goods. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring markets, home to established employers like Apple, Gensler, and Universal Studios that maintain ongoing design project management needs. The most sought-after specialties in California are UX and product design management, branded environment and experiential design, and architectural project management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Design Project Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 85+ Design Project Manager jobs











STV is seeking a Project Manager, Design - Aviation to join our national aviation team to oversee and direct airport terminal improvements. This position will be onsite at our client location in Los Angeles, CA.
A successful candidate will need significant aviation experience and have previously managed design within an active airport terminal environment.
Responsibilities include:
Provide project management, technical oversight and leadership for all phases of aviation projects, specifically design associated with a capital improvement, including, but not limited to; business case development, stakeholder engagement, design management, design and construction procurement, permitting and federal/state approvals, scheduling, project delivery, cost and change management safety, quality control, and ORAT
Provide guidance to discipline managers and contractors to address key program challenges, risk management, innovation, schedule and budget performance
Provide leadership to ensure that responsibilities are accomplished to a high degree of quality which exceeds the expectation of the client
Assists in the development and implementation of work packages and Task Orders
May provide direction and input on projects from design development stage through construction
Ensures Designers and Contractors are meeting CEQAJNEPA and/or Entitlement requirements
Assists in facilitating coordination with other LAWA divisions and regulatory agencies (Planning, FAA, TSA, AQMD, SHPO, EPA, etc.) as appropriate
Assist in implementing messaging plan, notices, contingency
planning and other tasks as neededDevelop project level process and procedures, project controls, and governances, that align to and drive overall project goals
Manage and oversee all aspects of project planning and development, including engineering and pre-construction/construction; bidding strategy; schedules; cost estimating; budget oversight; systems and facility integration; and commissioning/activation
Facilitates coordination with stakeholders; airport operating divisions, airline operations, regulatory agencies and other delivery partners and oversight entities, as required
Facilitates the development of the overall program schedule and oversees the integration of project level schedules
Utilization of earned value management to track and manage the program and associated projects
Schedule and conduct design and/or construction progress meetings
Drive the planning, design, and construction deliverables to successfully meeting the deliverable dates
Present progress to stakeholders and project delivery partners
Use electronic tools including Primavera P6, Project Management Information Systems (PMIS), and other related software systems
Coordinate maintenance of traffic and phasing plans, utility shutdown requests, impact notices, disruption notices, contingency planning and other tasks as needed
Required Experience
Minimum of 10 years of experience in preconstruction or design project management within large-scale airport projects
Experience in successful management of capital projects/programs of over $10M
Knowledge of airport operations, design, and construction of airport facilities is required
Experience in overseeing multiple construction activities concurrently as part of a complex capital infrastructure project is preferred
Required Education/Accreditation
Achieved a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management
Candidates may substitute comparable experience for educational requirements
#LI-AW1 #LI-ONSITE
Compensation Range:
$143,435.23 - $163,925.98
STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off • Paid Holidays • Back-Up Dependent Care • Parental Leave • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships
STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.
Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.
See All 85 Design Project Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Project Manager JobsDesign Project Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design Project Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Fashion & Apparel
- Insurance
- Chemicals & Materials
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in design project manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in design, architecture, or a related field required
- PMP or similar project management certification strongly preferred by California employers
- Five or more years managing cross-functional design teams and client deliverables
- Proficiency in project management tools such as Asana, Monday.com, or Smartsheet
- Experience working with California building codes or local permitting processes for built environment roles
- Strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design project ownership from brief to delivery
Design Project Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design project manager in California?
Most California employers expect a bachelor's degree in design, architecture, or a related discipline, followed by a recognized project management credential such as the PMP from the Project Management Institute. For roles in the built environment, familiarity with California Building Code requirements and local permitting is a practical differentiator. Gaining experience in a coordinator or associate PM role at a California studio or agency is the most common path to a full design project manager title.
How much do design project managers make in California?
Design project managers in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire design project managers in California?
Employers hiring design project managers in California right now include AECOM, Brailsford & Dunlavey, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, architecture and interiors firms, and entertainment studios means design project management roles appear across a wider range of industries here than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most design project manager jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland have the most design project manager openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its deep entertainment, branding, and experiential design industry base, while San Francisco and San Jose reflect demand from technology companies that maintain large in-house product and UX design teams, and San Diego draws on its defense, biotech, and corporate campus environment work.
Are there remote design project manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 50% of design project manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the coordination, scheduling, and stakeholder management work can be done off-site. The parts of the role most amenable to remote work are briefing, budget tracking, and vendor management, while production reviews and site walkthroughs typically require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a design project manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a design coordinator or project coordinator at a mid-size California architecture firm, branding agency, or in-house creative team, where you can build hands-on experience with schedules, budgets, and client communication. Large California employers in tech and entertainment, such as those headquartered in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, run associate program manager rotations that accept candidates from adjacent roles like production coordinator, creative operations associate, or design researcher. A PMP certification or a strong portfolio showing organized project documentation gives early-career applicants a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to design project manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to design project manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 85 Design Project Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Project Manager Jobs