Lead Designer Jobs in Alabama
Lead Designer jobs in Alabama are most active in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile, where industries from aerospace and defense to healthcare and retail have built strong in-house creative teams. Employers like Protective Life, Toyota Manufacturing Alabama, and the University of Alabama Health System regularly seek lead designers across product, UX, and brand disciplines. Demand is particularly consistent for professionals with experience in digital product design, design systems, and cross-functional team leadership. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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REPORTS TO: Lead Designer
SUPERVISES: CAD Drafters, Designer I-II
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for 2D and 3D drawing development.
- Checking drawings created by CAD Drafters and Designer I-II
- Works with Production Management, cross-functional design teams internal and external to the company, including business partner representatives, customer representatives and equipment manufacturers.
QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Associates Degree or higher in CAD preferred.
- 4 years minimum of 3D modeling experience
- 5 to 10 years of shipyard design or production/construction experience or equivalent experience.
- Experience in construction of high speed aluminum vessels preferred
- Experience with modular construction methods preferred
- Experience in design and construction of US Navy vessels preferred
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Understanding of scheduling and an ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
- Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office products.
- Experienced in interacting with multiple design teams and members of production.
- Experience using 2D and 3D AutoCAD
- Basic draw and modify commands
- Layer types
- Line types
- Dimensions
- Unit of measure
- Creating orthographic views from isometric drawings
- 3D modeling commands
- Creating 3D models from orthographic views or vendor furnished information
- Able to interface with models from other disciplines using the XREF command
- Able to model in 3D model space without interferences
- Experience with ShipConstructor preferred.
-
Possess a thorough understanding of vessel design in two or more of following areas:
- Equipment
- Electrical
- Fitout
- Foundations
- Hull
- HVAC
- Material
- Pipe
- Product Hierarchy
- Structure
- Able to interpret system schematics, structural key plans, compartment arrangements, and electrical diagrams to create 3D CAD models.
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:
Candidates must meet the following employment eligibility guidelines to be eligible for employment with Austal USA:
- Able to provide proof of US Person Status
- No felony convictions of Theft/Deception or Violent crimes within seven years from disposition date
- No felony convictions of Drug crimes within three years from disposition date
- Willing to submit to a drug screen
- Willing to submit to a background check
TOOLS: Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, ShipConstructor, Navisworks
DIRECTION EXERCISED:
- May lead the work of CAD Drafters and Designer I-II
- May review technical adequacy of drawings and provide direction as to corrections or adjustments to meet customer requirements.
- May train CAD Drafters and Designers I-III according to established standards and procedures.
DISCRETION EXERCISED:
- May provide input to evaluations of CAD Drafters and Designer I-II
LIAISES WITH:
- CAD Drafters, Designers, Engineers, Production Personnel, Program Management, and Equipment Suppliers
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to humid conditions, bright flashing lights, moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and/or airborne particles at or below the PEL, toxic or caustic chemicals, and heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud, + 90 dB.
SAFETY
Must comply with company, federal, state, and local safety and environmental rules and regulations while performing daily job tasks.
Equal Employment Commitment
Any qualified individual with a disability who is having difficulty in completing an application because of incompatible technology or other disability-related application issues may contact us at the following phone number for assistance: 251-445-1932.
Austal’s commitment to equal employment opportunity applies at all levels of employment, in all job titles, including the executive level, and to all employment actions, including but not limited to decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion.
See All 37 Lead Designer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Designer JobsLead Designer Jobs by City in Alabama
Where Alabama roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lead Designer Job Market in Alabama
A snapshot from current Alabama openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Austal6

- Quanta Services3

- 4P Consulting3

- Leisure Creations2
- HDR1

Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing3
- Technology & Software3
- Construction & Real Estate3
- Consulting & Professional Services3
- Education1
What Alabama Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead designer jobs across Alabama.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, or a closely related field required
- Five or more years of design experience with at least two in a lead or senior role
- Demonstrated portfolio showing end-to-end product or brand design work
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable design and prototyping tools
- Experience leading design reviews, mentoring junior designers, and presenting to stakeholders
- Ability to translate business requirements into user-centered design solutions
Lead Designer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lead designer in Alabama?
Most lead designer roles in Alabama require a bachelor's degree in graphic design, UX design, industrial design, or a related field followed by several years of progressively senior design work. Alabama does not issue a state license for most commercial design disciplines, so advancement depends on building a strong portfolio, developing leadership experience, and earning recognized certifications such as those offered through IDEO, Google, or professional bodies like the AIGA, which has an active Birmingham chapter.
How much do lead designers make in Alabama?
Lead designers in Alabama earn a median of about $77,220 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $56,540 for the lowest 10% to over $131,700 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire lead designers in Alabama?
Employers hiring lead designers in Alabama right now include Austal, Quanta Services, and 4P Consulting, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Alabama's aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and financial services sectors are consistent sources of in-house design demand.
Which Alabama cities have the most lead designer jobs?
Birmingham, Mobile, and Huntsville have the most lead designer openings in Alabama. Birmingham drives the largest share through its concentration of financial services, healthcare systems, and corporate headquarters, while Huntsville's aerospace and defense contractors fuel steady demand for UX and product designers, and Mobile's manufacturing and logistics base supports brand and industrial design roles.
Are there remote lead designer jobs in Alabama?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 25% of lead designer openings tied to Alabama are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting that most design work is screen-based and easily managed across locations. Strategic and digital product design roles tend to be the most fully remote, while roles tied to physical product development or on-site team leadership remain predominantly in-office.
How can I get hired as a lead designer in Alabama with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is building a portfolio through junior or associate designer roles at Alabama's larger employers, including healthcare systems like UAB Medicine, tech-adjacent companies in Huntsville's growing innovation corridor, or agencies in Birmingham. Lateral moves from graphic designer, UI designer, or UX researcher positions are common entry points. Completing a recognized UX certification and contributing to open-source or nonprofit design projects gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for early-career roles at Alabama institutions.
Where can I find and apply to lead designer jobs in Alabama?
You can find and apply to lead designer jobs in Alabama on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that fit your experience level, location preference, and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 37 Lead Designer Jobs in Alabama
Find roles in Alabama that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Designer Jobs