Lead Designer Jobs in Tennessee
Lead designer jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with demand concentrated in Nashville's growing tech and healthcare sectors, Memphis's logistics and consumer goods industries, and Knoxville's manufacturing and engineering firms, covering roles from mid-level to senior creative direction. Nashville draws the largest share of openings, where employers like HCA Healthcare, Bridgestone Americas, and Nissan North America maintain design and brand teams with ongoing hiring needs. The most in-demand specialties are UX and product design, brand identity, and environmental and experiential design. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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PDS 2 / Power Delivery Substation
This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.
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We are looking for an experienced Substation P&C Designer that is wanting to lead a team. The Lead Designer creates, prepares, and modifies design drawings as directed by a supervisor and/or other design team members. Proficient in design software, such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, etc., and at leading, instructing, and supervising multi-discipline design team members on a project level across different departments. Creates work assignments for multidiscipline design staff, manages those assignments, acts as technical advisor, and ensures work tasks adhere to project budget and schedule constraints. Collaborates effectively and efficiently with multi-discipline departments on all projects.
Responsibilities
- Performs a self-check on all work assignments prior to returning them to the checker and performs assignments with little to no errors and within allotted budgets/schedules.
- Develop and/or assist in the development or check of AC Schematics, DC Schematics, Panel Layouts, Wiring/Connection diagrams, and Bills of Materials.
- Proficient at leading, instructing, and supervising multi-discipline design team members on a project level across different departments.
- Creates work assignments for multidiscipline design staff, manages those assignments, acts as technical advisor, and ensures work tasks adhere to project budget and schedule constraints.
- Collaborates effectively and efficiently with multi-discipline departments on all projects.
- P&C design for substations ranging from 12kV to 500kV.
- Work in a project team environment with engineers and other designers involved in high and extra-high voltage substations.
- Interpret and incorporate vendor information into design deliverables.
- Properly apply client's substation design standards to the work.
- Successfully work on multiple projects concurrently.
Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.
Experience
Required- 12 year(s): Substation P&C Design experience
Education
Preferred- Associates or better in Engineering Technology
- Associates or better in CAD/ Computer Aided Draft
Skills
Preferred- Electrical Design
- Collaboration
Behaviors
Required- Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Motivations
Required- Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
- Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 5 Lead Designer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Designer JobsLead Designer Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lead Designer Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead designer jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in graphic design, industrial design, or a closely related field required
- Five or more years of professional design experience with at least two in a lead or senior role
- Expert proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and prototyping or 3D modeling tools
- Demonstrated portfolio showing end-to-end ownership of design projects from brief to delivery
- Experience managing or mentoring junior designers and presenting concepts to cross-functional stakeholders
- Strong understanding of design systems, brand guidelines, and production handoff standards
Lead Designer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lead designer in Tennessee?
Becoming a lead designer in Tennessee starts with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, industrial design, UX, or a related creative discipline, followed by several years building a professional portfolio across agency or in-house environments. Tennessee does not require a state-issued license for most design roles. Progression typically moves through junior and mid-level positions before employers in Nashville, Memphis, or Knoxville consider candidates for lead roles with team oversight responsibilities.
How much do lead designers make in Tennessee?
Lead designers in Tennessee earn a median of about $89,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,530 for the lowest 10% to over $172,130 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire lead designers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring lead designers in Tennessee right now include HDR, Ironsmith fire, and Mesa Associates, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's mix of large healthcare systems, automotive manufacturers, and consumer brands means lead designer demand comes from a notably broad set of industries compared to many states.
Which Tennessee cities have the most lead designer jobs?
Chattanooga, Memphis, and La Vergne have the most lead designer openings in Tennessee. Nashville dominates because of its concentration of corporate headquarters, healthcare organizations, and a fast-expanding tech sector, while Memphis and Knoxville draw consistent demand from logistics, manufacturing, and engineering firms anchored in those metro areas.
Are there remote lead designer jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and they're fairly common given that design work is largely screen-based and deliverable-driven. About 50% of lead designer openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting broader flexibility in the creative industry. UX and digital product design roles tend to offer the most remote options, while environmental and experiential design roles typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a lead designer in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a junior or associate designer role at a Nashville agency or in-house creative team, then building toward lead responsibilities over two to three years. Large Tennessee employers like HCA Healthcare and Bridgestone Americas run structured design rotations or associate programs worth pursuing. Candidates who come in from adjacent roles such as marketing coordinator, visual content producer, or design technician with a strong portfolio tend to move into formal design tracks faster than those without any production samples.
Where can I find and apply to lead designer jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to lead designer jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 5 Lead Designer Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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