Industrial Designer Jobs in California
Industrial Designer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices, and furniture across a hiring market that ranges from entry-level junior roles through senior and principal positions. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are the primary hiring centers, where companies like Apple, Nike's Converse division, and Medtronic have maintained long-standing design teams. The most in-demand specialties include consumer product design, human factors, and sustainable packaging. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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ROLE
Polaris E-Commerce is looking for a part time Junior Industrial Designer who specializes in hard surface and product design. The Junior Industrial Designer will design the overall look of a new line of portable fuel transfer pumps.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong knowledge and proficiency in Plasticity, Blender, or any preferred 3D modeling program
- Strong and quick preliminary ideation and sketching process
- Strong eye for shape language and product design
- Must be proactive and able to take direction/criticism
- Portfolio demonstrating level of skill and eye for design
JOB SCHEDULE
- Part Time / In Office
- 3 days a week
- 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Pay: $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 24.0 per week
Application Question(s):
- REQUIRED: Please provide a link to your Portfolio
Ability to Commute:
- Santa Ana, CA 92705 (Required)
Work Location: In person
See All 19 Industrial Designer Jobs in California
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Find Industrial Designer JobsIndustrial Designer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Designer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Artificial Intelligence
- Construction & Real Estate
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial designer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, product design, or a related design discipline
- Professional portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product development from concept through production
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, or Fusion 360
- Experience with physical prototyping, model-making, and materials testing
- Familiarity with human factors, ergonomics, and user-centered design principles
- Strong communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with engineering and marketing teams
Industrial Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an industrial designer in California?
California does not require a state-issued license to practice industrial design, so the path runs through education and portfolio. Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in industrial design or product design from an accredited program, with strong programs at schools like ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and San Jose State University. Building a portfolio of real or speculative projects that shows your process from research through final form is what drives hiring decisions in California.
How much do industrial designers make in California?
Industrial designers 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 industrial designers in California?
Employers hiring industrial designers in California right now include Munchkin, Samsung Research America, and IDEO, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of consumer electronics, medical device, and automotive companies means demand is spread across both large corporate design teams and specialized product development studios.
Which California cities have the most industrial designer jobs?
San Francisco, Van Nuys, and San Jose have the most industrial designer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of consumer electronics and hardware companies, Los Angeles draws demand from entertainment, furniture, and lifestyle product brands, and San Diego's concentration of medical device and biotech firms supports steady openings in health-focused product design.
Are there remote industrial designer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Industrial design is fundamentally hands-on, and most roles require physical access to prototyping equipment, materials labs, and collaborative design studios. About 64% of industrial designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to cover early-stage concepting, rendering, and documentation work rather than full design cycles.
How can I get hired as an industrial designer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or contract role at a California design consultancy or mid-size product company, where junior designers gain supervised project experience. Firms like IDEO and frog in the Bay Area run structured internship programs for recent graduates. Applying for roles titled junior designer, design associate, or model maker builds the project history employers require, and a focused portfolio showing your design process matters more than years of experience at this stage.
Where can I find and apply to industrial designer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to industrial designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 19 Industrial Designer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Industrial Designer Jobs