Principal Designer Jobs in Kansas
Principal Designer jobs in Kansas are steadily active, with consistent demand across aerospace and defense manufacturing, architecture and engineering firms, and product development operations. Wichita leads hiring given its deep roots in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, followed by Kansas City and Overland Park, where technology and consumer products companies maintain significant design teams. Employers with a lasting footprint in the state include Spirit AeroSystems, Garmin, and Burns & McDonnell, with the most in-demand specialties centering on systems integration design, UX and product design, and design leadership for engineering programs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Principal Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 32+ Principal Designer jobs
- Works collaboratively/professionally with Design, Engineering, and Segment Leaders to achieve team goals and superior results on projects
- Leads the development/implementation of complex CMF solutions across a wide array of consumer products that align with product goals and brand identity
- Identifies/leads the development of new or refreshed color palettes
- Presents/communicates CMF strategies to development teams, product managers, sales managers, segment leaders and executive team
- Researches/analyzes data from trend services to identify trends and drives segment-based decisions for Garmin’s product markets
- Creates with mastery CMF Design Images and Renderings that accurately and clearly show design intent around color, material, and finish, with an ability to inspire and generate excitement and interest through high quality imagery
- Creates digital and physical presentation materials that communicate complex CMF design strategies
- Presents and communicates CMF strategies to all levels of management with a high level of autonomy
- Elevates trend forecasting storytelling to achieve a high level of buy-in from key stakeholders
- Drives the color matching process for CMF combinations of high complexity with engineering/manufacturing teams and other partners
- Leads discussions with Suppliers, CMF engineers, and team members globally to research new colors, materials, and finishes
- Oversees organization/maintenance of a color and material library as a resource for the Consumer Engineering and Design team
- Generates and is proactive in maintaining detailed specifications and documentation for CMF selections to ensure accurate implementation during production
- Communicates status of work by clearly providing visibility to supervisor
- Accepts and acts on constructive guidance from coworkers to refine designs and concepts to produce better solutions
- Applies Garmin’s Mission, Vision, and Values statements, and enthusiastically exhibit a desire to see Garmin succeed
- Mentors less experienced CMF designers
- Develops CMF training and other educational sessions to onboard new CMF designers and educate the department accordingly
- Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design or related discipline AND a minimum of 6 years work experience as a CMF Designer or relevant work experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule) with the demonstrated ability to apply learned knowledge
- Must demonstrate knowledge, education, experience and/or training necessary to use tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Keyshot and Figma
- Demonstrates proficient knowledge of a wide variety of materials and manufacturing methods including, but not limited to, plastic, silicone, metals, coatings, and more
- Demonstrates high color acuity and ability to pass the Munsell Hue Color Test with a superior score
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills as well as proficient presentation skills
- Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and work respectfully with others
- Demonstrated ability to autonomously generate and support pragmatic solutions that meet project timelines and high-quality standards
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
- Works collaboratively/professionally with Design, Engineering, and Segment Leaders to achieve team goals and superior results on projects
- Leads the development/implementation of complex CMF solutions across a wide array of consumer products that align with product goals and brand identity
- Identifies/leads the development of new or refreshed color palettes
- Presents/communicates CMF strategies to development teams, product managers, sales managers, segment leaders and executive team
- Researches/analyzes data from trend services to identify trends and drives segment-based decisions for Garmin’s product markets
- Creates with mastery CMF Design Images and Renderings that accurately and clearly show design intent around color, material, and finish, with an ability to inspire and generate excitement and interest through high quality imagery
- Creates digital and physical presentation materials that communicate complex CMF design strategies
- Presents and communicates CMF strategies to all levels of management with a high level of autonomy
- Elevates trend forecasting storytelling to achieve a high level of buy-in from key stakeholders
- Drives the color matching process for CMF combinations of high complexity with engineering/manufacturing teams and other partners
- Leads discussions with Suppliers, CMF engineers, and team members globally to research new colors, materials, and finishes
- Oversees organization/maintenance of a color and material library as a resource for the Consumer Engineering and Design team
- Generates and is proactive in maintaining detailed specifications and documentation for CMF selections to ensure accurate implementation during production
- Communicates status of work by clearly providing visibility to supervisor
- Accepts and acts on constructive guidance from coworkers to refine designs and concepts to produce better solutions
- Applies Garmin’s Mission, Vision, and Values statements, and enthusiastically exhibit a desire to see Garmin succeed
- Mentors less experienced CMF designers
- Develops CMF training and other educational sessions to onboard new CMF designers and educate the department accordingly
- Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design or related discipline AND a minimum of 6 years work experience as a CMF Designer or relevant work experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule) with the demonstrated ability to apply learned knowledge
- Must demonstrate knowledge, education, experience and/or training necessary to use tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Keyshot and Figma
- Demonstrates proficient knowledge of a wide variety of materials and manufacturing methods including, but not limited to, plastic, silicone, metals, coatings, and more
- Demonstrates high color acuity and ability to pass the Munsell Hue Color Test with a superior score
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills as well as proficient presentation skills
- Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude, and work respectfully with others
- Demonstrated ability to autonomously generate and support pragmatic solutions that meet project timelines and high-quality standards
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
See All 32 Principal Designer Jobs in Kansas
Find roles in Kansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Designer JobsPrincipal Designer Jobs by City in Kansas
Where Kansas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Principal Designer Job Market in Kansas
A snapshot from current Kansas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Garmin9
- Kiewit Corporation8
- Kiewit2
- DLR2
- Olsson1
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy10
- Manufacturing8
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Technology & Software2
- Electronics & Hardware2
What Kansas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal designer jobs across Kansas.
- Bachelor's degree in design, architecture, engineering, or a closely related field required
- Seven or more years of progressive design experience with demonstrated leadership responsibilities
- Proven ability to own end-to-end design processes from concept through final delivery
- Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, AutoCAD, or Adobe Creative Suite
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with engineering, product, and business stakeholders
- Strong portfolio showcasing principal-level work across multiple complex projects or product lines
Principal Designer Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a principal designer in Kansas?
Most principal designer roles in Kansas require a bachelor's degree in design, architecture, or engineering followed by several years of progressively senior design work. For those working in architecture, the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions governs licensure, and candidates pursue the Architect Registration Examination to become licensed. In product, UX, and industrial design, no state license is required, so employers emphasize portfolio quality, demonstrated leadership, and experience owning complex design programs from start to finish.
Which companies hire principal designers in Kansas?
Kansas principal designer roles are posted by Garmin, Kiewit Corporation, and Kiewit and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Kansas's aerospace corridor and its growing technology sector in the Kansas City metro make it home to a wide range of employers seeking design leadership across both physical and digital products.
Which Kansas cities have the most principal designer jobs?
Lenexa, Olathe, and Overland Park have the most principal designer openings in Kansas. Wichita dominates because of its aerospace and advanced manufacturing base, where companies need experienced design leaders for complex engineering programs, while Overland Park and Kansas City draw demand from technology firms, financial services companies, and regional headquarters that invest in product and UX design.
Are there remote principal designer jobs in Kansas?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 45% of principal designer openings tied to Kansas are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how much of this work centers on digital tools, stakeholder collaboration, and design system management rather than on-site production. UX, product design, and design systems leadership tend to be the most remote-accessible specialties within the principal designer category.
How can I get hired as a principal designer in Kansas with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is building toward the role from a mid-level design position rather than applying to principal roles directly. In Kansas, that means joining design teams at aerospace employers like Spirit AeroSystems or technology companies in the Overland Park corridor as a senior designer, then demonstrating ownership of large projects. Pursuing an architecture license through the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions strengthens candidates in built-environment roles, while a strong portfolio of end-to-end design work is the clearest signal for product and UX tracks.
Where can I find and apply to principal designer jobs in Kansas?
You can find and apply to principal designer jobs in Kansas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kansas openings in one place. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your experience and specialization, and apply directly to whichever positions fit your background.
See All 32 Principal Designer Jobs in Kansas
Find roles in Kansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Principal Designer Jobs