Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California
Industrial Design Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive, and sporting goods manufacturing, with openings from entry-level prototyping roles through senior principal positions. The largest hiring metros are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Apple, Nike's innovation studios, and medical device leaders such as Abbott have deep, established footprints. The most in-demand specialties include human-centered product design, materials and manufacturability engineering, and CAD-driven concept development. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Industrial Design Engineer jobs
At Zoox, Robot Industrial Design defines how autonomous mobility is experienced through form, function, and interaction. We believe the future of mobility demands more than a new vehicle; it requires a fundamentally new product philosophy built around people, technology, and seamless integration. Our design team works from first principles to create products that are human-centered, technically sophisticated, and uncompromising in their purpose.
As a Senior Exterior Designer, Robot Industrial Design, you will play a key role in the creative development of Zoox’s robotaxi platforms and connected hardware ecosystem. You will contribute to a holistic design vision across vehicle design, CMF, and product integration, ensuring every element reflects clarity, precision, and intent. This role requires a designer who can operate equally at the conceptual and production levels, translating ambitious ideas into thoughtful, well-resolved design solutions from early vision through engineering execution, manufacturing realization, and real-world deployment.
You will work closely with other designers and cross-functional partners across engineering, software, product, brand, and manufacturing to deliver deeply integrated mobility experiences. The ideal candidate brings exceptional design judgment, a systems-minded approach, and a relentless focus on craftsmanship, innovation, and simplicity. Your work will directly shape the physical expression of the Zoox brand and help define the future relationship between people, autonomy, and everyday transportation.
In this role, you will:
-
Support the development of design concepts, form language, and detailed solutions for Zoox’s robotaxi platforms and connected hardware.
Translate the broader pool design vision into compelling, cohesive design solutions across vehicle design.
Create compelling digital and physical deliverables, including sketches, renderings, CAD, models, and presentations, to clearly communicate design concepts and decisions.
Drive design projects from early concept through production, maintaining design intent and quality throughout development.
Challenge assumptions and explore innovative solutions unconstrained by traditional automotive norms to deliver a unique Zoox experience.
Balance creative ambition with technical feasibility, ensuring design quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail through engineering and manufacturing integration.
Qualifications
-
8+ years of experience in automotive or relevant industrial design environments.
Proven track record delivering production vehicles and/or complex hardware products from concept through launch.
Exceptional design skills, with a strong foundation in form development, proportion, surface quality, and design detailing.
Experience working across multiple phases of product development, from conceptual exploration through engineering integration and production.
Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and engineering constraints, with the ability to translate them into thoughtful design solutions.
Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and navigating complex cross-functional development environments.
Bonus Qualifications
-
Exceptional visual communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design intent and rationale.
A deep passion for design craft, innovation, and creating meaningful, future-forward products.
Follow us on LinkedIn
Accommodations
A Final Note:
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
At Zoox, Robot Industrial Design defines how autonomous mobility is experienced through form, function, and interaction. We believe the future of mobility demands more than a new vehicle; it requires a fundamentally new product philosophy built around people, technology, and seamless integration. Our design team works from first principles to create products that are human-centered, technically sophisticated, and uncompromising in their purpose.
As a Senior Exterior Designer, Robot Industrial Design, you will play a key role in the creative development of Zoox’s robotaxi platforms and connected hardware ecosystem. You will contribute to a holistic design vision across vehicle design, CMF, and product integration, ensuring every element reflects clarity, precision, and intent. This role requires a designer who can operate equally at the conceptual and production levels, translating ambitious ideas into thoughtful, well-resolved design solutions from early vision through engineering execution, manufacturing realization, and real-world deployment.
You will work closely with other designers and cross-functional partners across engineering, software, product, brand, and manufacturing to deliver deeply integrated mobility experiences. The ideal candidate brings exceptional design judgment, a systems-minded approach, and a relentless focus on craftsmanship, innovation, and simplicity. Your work will directly shape the physical expression of the Zoox brand and help define the future relationship between people, autonomy, and everyday transportation.
In this role, you will:
-
Support the development of design concepts, form language, and detailed solutions for Zoox’s robotaxi platforms and connected hardware.
Translate the broader pool design vision into compelling, cohesive design solutions across vehicle design.
Create compelling digital and physical deliverables, including sketches, renderings, CAD, models, and presentations, to clearly communicate design concepts and decisions.
Drive design projects from early concept through production, maintaining design intent and quality throughout development.
Challenge assumptions and explore innovative solutions unconstrained by traditional automotive norms to deliver a unique Zoox experience.
Balance creative ambition with technical feasibility, ensuring design quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail through engineering and manufacturing integration.
Qualifications
-
8+ years of experience in automotive or relevant industrial design environments.
Proven track record delivering production vehicles and/or complex hardware products from concept through launch.
Exceptional design skills, with a strong foundation in form development, proportion, surface quality, and design detailing.
Experience working across multiple phases of product development, from conceptual exploration through engineering integration and production.
Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and engineering constraints, with the ability to translate them into thoughtful design solutions.
Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and navigating complex cross-functional development environments.
Bonus Qualifications
-
Exceptional visual communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design intent and rationale.
A deep passion for design craft, innovation, and creating meaningful, future-forward products.
Follow us on LinkedIn
Accommodations
A Final Note:
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 12 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsIndustrial Design Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Design Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial design engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or a closely related design discipline
- Proficiency in 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Rhino for concept modeling and production drawings
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product development from initial concept through manufactured output
- Experience collaborating with mechanical, manufacturing, and user-research teams in a studio or lab setting
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacturability standards relevant to California industries
- Strong presentation skills for communicating design rationale to cross-functional stakeholders and executive teams
Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a industrial design engineer in California?
The concrete path starts with a bachelor's degree in industrial design, product design, or mechanical engineering from an accredited program. California does not require a state-issued license specifically for industrial design engineers, so most employers hire based on degree, portfolio, and demonstrated CAD skill. Building a portfolio of physical prototypes, consumer products, or medical device concepts through internships, capstone projects, or contract work at California design studios is the most reliable way to qualify for full-time roles.
How much do industrial design engineers make in California?
Industrial design engineers in California earn a median of about $124,600 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,900 for the lowest 10% to over $172,870 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire industrial design engineers in California?
Employers hiring industrial design engineers in California right now include Anduril, Zoox, and Molex, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of consumer electronics, medical device, and automotive design studios means industrial design engineers will find a broader range of product categories here than in almost any other state.
Which California cities have the most industrial design engineer jobs?
Mountain View, Irvine, and Fremont have the most industrial design engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its density of consumer electronics and tech hardware companies, Los Angeles draws from entertainment product design, apparel, and automotive studios, and San Diego's medical device and defense sectors account for a consistent share of the postings that appear in smaller or suburban parts of the state.
Are there remote industrial design engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Industrial design engineering involves hands-on prototyping, materials testing, and in-person collaboration with manufacturing and user-research teams, which makes full remote work uncommon. About 33% of industrial design engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate on the early conceptual and CAD modeling phases rather than physical development work.
How can I get hired as a industrial design engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a product design internship or new-graduate associate role at a California consumer electronics or medical device company, where structured programs exist specifically for candidates without professional experience. Large Bay Area hardware companies and San Diego medical device firms regularly bring on associate industrial designers and junior product engineers through campus recruiting. A strong portfolio showing physical prototypes, CAD models, or capstone products, combined with a degree from a California design school or UC engineering program, is what moves candidates forward when work history is limited.
Where can I find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to industrial design engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive design. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from each listing.
See All 12 Industrial Design Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs