Lead Designer Jobs in New Hampshire
Lead designer jobs in New Hampshire concentrate in technology product development, healthcare UX, and advanced manufacturing, with demand ranging from mid-level creative leads to senior principal designers overseeing cross-functional teams. The strongest hiring is in Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth, where companies like BAE Systems, Segra, and Dartmouth Health maintain significant design and engineering operations. Product design, UX leadership, and brand systems management are the specialties drawing the most consistent postings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Lead Designer jobs
You Will Make an Impact as a CAD Designer:
- Preparing Mechanical CAD for Engineering Change Orders (ECO's)
- Preparing and maintaining PCB’s for transfer into Mechanical CAD.
- Preparing Wiring Harness and P&ID for transfer into Mechanical CAD.
- Preparing Controlled PCB package deliverables.
- Organizing and maintaining Mechanical CAD purchased part library components.
- Supporting 3D CAD for Electrical component libraries.
- Preparing Fixture drawings for Medical Equipment.
- Preparing and applying illustrated label details to models and drawings.
- Working with Multiple MCAD and ECAD systems across several projects.
- Developing work instructions and video tutorials for evolving CAD practices.
- Experience Designing/Drafting with computer aided design software or ability to learn quickly.
- Minimum 3 years of job-related work experience or equivalent technical experience.
- Strong desire to learn and diversify across both Mechanical and Electrical Disciplines.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in handling technical data and documentation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple projects effectively.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe products.
- Experience with Solidworks.
- Experience with general PDM practices.
- Experience with general ECO practices.
- Associate degree (AS, AAS, or AET).
- Experience with Creo, Windchill, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Vault.
- Experience with Altium Designer, A365, and Altiums Co/Designer product.
- Experience with Solidworks Electrical Schematic & 3D.
About DEKA:
One hour from the beach, Boston, and the mountains, the historic Amoskeag Millyard once housed the largest textile mills in the world. It is now home to DEKA Research & Development, where we are taking the same innovation and cutting-edge technology into the modern age.
Behind DEKA’s brick walls sits a team of professionals who strive to make a difference every day through thoughtful engineering, design, and manufacturing. Here at DEKA, some of the most innovative and life-changing products of our time are created, and new ideas are always welcome and explored.
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You Will Make an Impact as a CAD Designer:
- Preparing Mechanical CAD for Engineering Change Orders (ECO's)
- Preparing and maintaining PCB’s for transfer into Mechanical CAD.
- Preparing Wiring Harness and P&ID for transfer into Mechanical CAD.
- Preparing Controlled PCB package deliverables.
- Organizing and maintaining Mechanical CAD purchased part library components.
- Supporting 3D CAD for Electrical component libraries.
- Preparing Fixture drawings for Medical Equipment.
- Preparing and applying illustrated label details to models and drawings.
- Working with Multiple MCAD and ECAD systems across several projects.
- Developing work instructions and video tutorials for evolving CAD practices.
- Experience Designing/Drafting with computer aided design software or ability to learn quickly.
- Minimum 3 years of job-related work experience or equivalent technical experience.
- Strong desire to learn and diversify across both Mechanical and Electrical Disciplines.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in handling technical data and documentation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple projects effectively.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe products.
- Experience with Solidworks.
- Experience with general PDM practices.
- Experience with general ECO practices.
- Associate degree (AS, AAS, or AET).
- Experience with Creo, Windchill, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Vault.
- Experience with Altium Designer, A365, and Altiums Co/Designer product.
- Experience with Solidworks Electrical Schematic & 3D.
About DEKA:
One hour from the beach, Boston, and the mountains, the historic Amoskeag Millyard once housed the largest textile mills in the world. It is now home to DEKA Research & Development, where we are taking the same innovation and cutting-edge technology into the modern age.
Behind DEKA’s brick walls sits a team of professionals who strive to make a difference every day through thoughtful engineering, design, and manufacturing. Here at DEKA, some of the most innovative and life-changing products of our time are created, and new ideas are always welcome and explored.
n8YtnbH5Ku
See All 21 Lead Designer Jobs in New Hampshire
Find roles in New Hampshire that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Designer JobsLead Designer Jobs by City in New Hampshire
Where New Hampshire roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lead Designer Job Market in New Hampshire
A snapshot from current New Hampshire openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Fidelity Investments4
- Amphenol2
- BAE Systems USA2
- IAPP1
- Hubbell1
Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management4
- Construction & Real Estate2
- Consulting & Professional Services2
- Technology & Software1
What New Hampshire Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead designer jobs across New Hampshire.
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end design ownership across shipped digital or physical products
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, industrial design, or a related field
- Five or more years of design experience including at least two years in a lead or senior role
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and collaborative product development tools
- Experience leading design reviews, mentoring junior designers, and presenting to stakeholders
- Familiarity with agile workflows and cross-functional collaboration with engineering and product teams
Lead Designer Jobs in New Hampshire: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lead designer in New Hampshire?
Most lead designer roles in New Hampshire require a bachelor's degree in a design discipline and several years of progressively responsible design work before stepping into a leadership position. Unlike licensed professions, design itself carries no state-issued license in New Hampshire, so advancement depends on a strong portfolio, demonstrated leadership on shipped projects, and recognized professional credentials such as those offered by the AIGA or similar design organizations. Employers in Manchester and Nashua often promote senior contributors internally when they show cross-functional influence.
How much do lead designers make in New Hampshire?
Lead designers in New Hampshire earn a median of about $132,000 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $70,990 for the lowest 10% to over $169,950 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire lead designers in New Hampshire?
Employers hiring lead designers in New Hampshire right now include Fidelity Investments, Amphenol, and BAE Systems USA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. New Hampshire's defense, healthcare technology, and software sectors consistently generate lead design openings, particularly among companies headquartered in the southern tier of the state.
Which New Hampshire cities have the most lead designer jobs?
Merrimack, Manchester, and Nashua account for the largest share of lead designer openings in New Hampshire. Manchester drives the most volume as the state's commercial and tech hub, Nashua attracts postings from its dense cluster of defense and software firms near the Massachusetts border, and Portsmouth draws openings from its maritime technology and creative agency community along the Seacoast region.
Are there remote lead designer jobs in New Hampshire?
Yes, and more than many fields, because lead designer work centers on digital deliverables, collaborative tools, and stakeholder communication that translate well to distributed teams. About 38% of lead designer openings tied to New Hampshire are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how broadly the state's tech and product employers have adopted flexible arrangements. UX leadership and brand systems roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while industrial and product design roles tied to physical manufacturing usually require some on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a lead designer in New Hampshire with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a junior or associate designer role at a New Hampshire technology or healthcare company and building toward a lead title from within. Organizations like Dartmouth Health and software firms in the Manchester-Nashua corridor regularly hire entry-level designers who can demonstrate strong fundamentals through a portfolio, even without commercial experience. Adjacent roles such as UX researcher, visual designer, or product analyst frequently transition into lead design tracks. A relevant degree, a polished case-study portfolio, and completion of recognized UX certification programs give candidates a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to lead designer jobs in New Hampshire?
You can find and apply to lead designer jobs in New Hampshire on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search by role and location to see what is available, then apply directly to the positions that fit your background and experience level.
See All 21 Lead Designer Jobs in New Hampshire
Find roles in New Hampshire that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Designer Jobs