Director Of Product Design Jobs in California
Director Of Product Design jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with strong demand concentrated in consumer technology, enterprise software, and digital media companies at levels from senior individual contributor through VP. The heaviest hiring is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Google, and Salesforce have long maintained design leadership teams. The most sought-after specialties are systems design, design operations, and AI-driven product experience. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 9+ Director Of Product Design jobs
INTRODUCTION
Adobe is growing its Design team focused on core asset management and collaboration experiences that help individuals and enterprises organize, use, and share creative assets. This role offers the chance to shape innovative solutions across Adobe’s portfolio, including tools for brand governance, asset libraries, and collaborative workflows used by millions worldwide.
We are seeking an experienced, innovative Director to lead a distributed team of world-class designers. You will guide strategic challenges, help teams deliver strong results, and shape the future of asset and collaboration experiences in an AI-first world where intelligence, automation, and human creativity drive scalable workflows.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify new business opportunities and turn strategy into execution, shaping roadmaps and long-term investments.
- Set a high bar for design excellence and lead team operations to deliver high-quality work with measurable customer and business impact.
- Foster a collaborative, trust-based environment that builds strong cross-team alignment on key experiences.
- Lead AI-powered and agentic workflows, exploring how conversational UI, intelligence, and generative systems transform collaboration and asset use.
- Build and scale a high-performing design organization by shaping team structure, operating models, and culture to meet evolving business needs.
- Champion creativity and innovation through experimentation, prototyping, and iteration, and help evolve design practices for the AI era.
- Represent the team to partners and senior leaders with clear communication and compelling storytelling.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of experience leading design within a matrixed organization, and a proven track record of success influencing across multiple teams.
- A deep understanding of creative workflows, ideally within asset management and the creation and consumption of on-brand content or a related domain.
- Highly agile player who thrives in ambiguity and can drive progress, build alignment, and adapt to evolving platform strategies, shifting priorities, and emerging technologies.
- High ownership leader who can balance strategic vision with execution rigor and can easily navigate both altitudes.
- Strong systems thinking capable of crafting scalable, composable experiences across complex, interconnected platforms.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to clearly articulate complex ideas to different audiences and levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated experience building a mature team, mentoring and fostering an inclusive environment that empowers designers to innovate and deliver impactful work.
ABOUT ADOBE
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
COMPENSATION
- Expected Pay Range: Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $175,600 - $327,800 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $226,400 - $327,800.
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
STATE-SPECIFIC NOTICES
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.
Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.
AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
INTRODUCTION
Adobe is growing its Design team focused on core asset management and collaboration experiences that help individuals and enterprises organize, use, and share creative assets. This role offers the chance to shape innovative solutions across Adobe’s portfolio, including tools for brand governance, asset libraries, and collaborative workflows used by millions worldwide.
We are seeking an experienced, innovative Director to lead a distributed team of world-class designers. You will guide strategic challenges, help teams deliver strong results, and shape the future of asset and collaboration experiences in an AI-first world where intelligence, automation, and human creativity drive scalable workflows.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify new business opportunities and turn strategy into execution, shaping roadmaps and long-term investments.
- Set a high bar for design excellence and lead team operations to deliver high-quality work with measurable customer and business impact.
- Foster a collaborative, trust-based environment that builds strong cross-team alignment on key experiences.
- Lead AI-powered and agentic workflows, exploring how conversational UI, intelligence, and generative systems transform collaboration and asset use.
- Build and scale a high-performing design organization by shaping team structure, operating models, and culture to meet evolving business needs.
- Champion creativity and innovation through experimentation, prototyping, and iteration, and help evolve design practices for the AI era.
- Represent the team to partners and senior leaders with clear communication and compelling storytelling.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 10+ years of experience leading design within a matrixed organization, and a proven track record of success influencing across multiple teams.
- A deep understanding of creative workflows, ideally within asset management and the creation and consumption of on-brand content or a related domain.
- Highly agile player who thrives in ambiguity and can drive progress, build alignment, and adapt to evolving platform strategies, shifting priorities, and emerging technologies.
- High ownership leader who can balance strategic vision with execution rigor and can easily navigate both altitudes.
- Strong systems thinking capable of crafting scalable, composable experiences across complex, interconnected platforms.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to clearly articulate complex ideas to different audiences and levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated experience building a mature team, mentoring and fostering an inclusive environment that empowers designers to innovate and deliver impactful work.
ABOUT ADOBE
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
COMPENSATION
- Expected Pay Range: Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $175,600 - $327,800 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $226,400 - $327,800.
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
STATE-SPECIFIC NOTICES
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.
Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.
AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
See All 9 Director Of Product Design Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsDirector Of Product Design Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Director Of Product Design Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Adobe3
- Brio Water Technology1
- Cadence Design Systems1
- Illumina1
- Nextracker1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software3
- Electronics & Hardware2
- Consulting & Professional Services1
- Education1
- Media & Entertainment1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of product design jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field
- Seven or more years of product design experience including team leadership
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage design teams of five or more people
- Proficiency with Figma, Sketch, and modern prototyping and design system tools
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with product management and engineering leadership
- Portfolio of shipped consumer or enterprise products at significant scale
Director Of Product Design Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a director of product design in California?
The director of product design role in California requires no state-issued license, but the hiring path is competitive and credential-driven. Most California employers expect a degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a closely related field, combined with a strong portfolio of shipped product work. Candidates typically move up through senior designer and design manager roles at California technology or consumer companies before reaching director level, where team leadership experience carries as much weight as individual craft.
How much do director of product designs make in California?
Director of product designs in California earn a median of about $100,770 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $62,860 for the lowest 10% to over $168,490 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire director of product designs in California?
Employers hiring director of product designs in California right now include Adobe, Brio Water Technology, and Cadence Design Systems, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of consumer technology headquarters and enterprise software companies means design leadership roles turn over regularly across a wide range of product categories.
Which California cities have the most director of product design jobs?
The cities with the most director of product design openings in California are San Francisco, Fremont, and Glendale. San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area generate the largest share of postings because of the density of consumer technology and enterprise software headquarters there, while Los Angeles draws heavily from media, entertainment, and e-commerce companies that have built substantial in-house design functions.
Are there remote director of product design jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Product design leadership is well suited to distributed work because the primary outputs are digital and collaboration happens through shared tools and structured rituals. About 0% of director of product design openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how broadly California technology employers adopted flexible arrangements. Strategic and people-management parts of the role tend to be most remote-compatible, while design reviews and executive alignment often remain on-site.
How can I get hired as a director of product design in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a senior individual contributor role into a design manager position at a mid-size California technology company, where leadership scope is accessible before director-level openings appear. Large Bay Area employers including Meta, Adobe, and Intuit run structured design programs and internal mobility tracks that surface manager candidates from within. Building a portfolio that demonstrates systems thinking, cross-functional influence, and team growth, even in informal or project-based contexts, is what California hiring committees weight most heavily for first-time directors.
Where can I find and apply to director of product design jobs in California?
You can find and apply to director of product design jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and company sizes. Search the roles available, find the ones that fit your experience and location preferences, and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 9 Director Of Product Design Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs