Product Design Lead Jobs in New Mexico
Product Design Lead jobs in New Mexico are concentrated in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces, where technology companies, federal contractors, and government agencies drive steady demand for senior design talent. Organizations like Sandia National Laboratories, Intel New Mexico, and the University of New Mexico consistently hire product design leads with expertise in UX systems, design operations, and cross-functional product strategy. Roles range from individual contributor leads managing a single product area to directors overseeing multi-discipline design teams. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Come and join an innovative team supporting groundbreaking research in defense of our nation! The Engineering Services - Weapons Project Delivery Group (ES-WPD) develops, maintains, and applies a diverse set of nuclear facility engineering capabilities to provide innovative solutions to enable the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission.
Nuclear Facilities Engineering Manager 4 ($170,600 - $295,400)
We are seeking a Nuclear Design Group Leader (Nuclear Facilities Engineering Manager 4) to help us in our mission by:
- Providing project and design related engineering services for portfolio projects in ES-WPD and other nuclear facilities as required to ensure facilities are designed, constructed, modified and maintained to satisfy customer needs and expectations in a cost effective, safe, and compliant manner
- Continuing the implementation of Conduct of Engineering (CoE) and support Configuration Management (CM) programs for nuclear, accelerator and other facilities
- Performing design reviews of internal and external design documents for nuclear, accelerator and other facilities
- Serving as the group manager directing and managing multifaceted activities within nuclear facilities - work environment can include nuclear and high hazards within facilities
- Providing a range of facility engineering support services, including project engineering, design engineering, and field engineering, in support of project execution
- Directing the strategic activities of engineers executing work in accordance with DOE nuclear facility requirements to integrate and support the mission and goals of the Laboratory's facility and programmatic operations
- Communicating with all levels of internal and external customers to define and recommend cross-organizational operational objectives, develop specific short-term and long-range plans, and monitor progress to assure long-term objectives are attained and customer requirements are met
- Developing short-term and long-range plans for portfolio projects and monitor progress to assure long-term objectives are attained and customer requirements are met
- Ensuring daily open communication with workers (including subcontractors) that promotes an environment where workers feel comfortable bringing errors, system weaknesses, and issues to management attention
- Developing staļ¬ng plans in accordance with customer requirements and within budget constraints, perform recruiting and hiring activities to implement those plans, and develop staff through training, mentoring and qualification programs
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Leadership
Central to this position, we are seeking a qualified and talented individual that has demonstrated leadership experience in managing an engineering organization.
Knowledge and Experience
This position will serve in a management role and provide knowledge and experience in engineering and administration in support of facility and program projects, on-going operations and maintenance within nuclear, accelerator and other facilities as required. Specific knowledge and experience sought for includes:
- Advanced knowledge of leading a technical organization in support of nuclear, accelerator and other facilities including operations, maintenance, systems engineering, safety basis, and projects to establish and continuously improve CoE implementation in support of reliable facility operations
- Demonstrated success in effectively interfacing with all levels of management, interfacing organizations and NNSA/DOE staff
- Strong interpersonal skills in both verbal and written communications. Able to effectively communicate with all levels of management and staff
- Demonstrated team building capability
- Demonstrated capability in successfully developing internal and external customer relationships achieving a high degree of customer satisfaction, and expertise in negotiation with customers and support organizations and resolving conflicts
- Experience in developing and managing budgets
- Demonstrated experience related to the development and implementation of in-house engineering standards, master specifications, and CoE for facility operations and maintenance
Education/Experience Requirements: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. A professional license (PE) in an engineering discipline from a recognized licensing board preferred.
This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job. DOE 426.2 requires a BS degree, 2 years of job related experience and 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience for technical support personnel who perform work independently at nuclear facilities.
Desired Qualifications:
- Extensive knowledge of LANL activities and operations including project execution and management, legal, procurement, construction, environmental safety & health (ES&H), and quality assurance
- Knowledge/experience of LANL CoE procedures, LANL Engineering Standards Manual and DOE orders and standards related to nuclear facility design, construction, and project management
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China - including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau - as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
For full consideration, please provide a comprehensive resume, which outlines how you meet the minimum and desired skills noted above.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
- Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
DOE Order 426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular Position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2.
See All 35 Product Design Lead Jobs in New Mexico
Find roles in New Mexico that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Design Lead JobsProduct Design Lead Jobs by City in New Mexico
Where New Mexico roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Design Lead Job Market in New Mexico
A snapshot from current New Mexico openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sandia National Laboratories6

- Los Alamos National Laboratory6

- Merrick & Company3

- HDR2

- H W Lochner2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services9
- Government & Public Sector2
- Science & Research1
What New Mexico Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product design lead jobs across New Mexico.
- Portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product design leadership on shipped digital products
- Five or more years of product design experience with at least two in a lead role
- Proficiency in Figma, Sketch, or equivalent design and prototyping tools
- Experience collaborating with engineering and product management in agile environments
- Ability to conduct user research and translate findings into design decisions
- Bachelor's degree in interaction design, human-computer interaction, or a related field
Product Design Lead Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product design lead in New Mexico?
Product design lead roles in New Mexico do not require a state-issued license. The typical path starts with a degree in interaction design, graphic design, human-computer interaction, or a related field, followed by several years working as a product or UX designer. Advancement to a lead role comes through demonstrated ownership of design systems or product areas. New Mexico employers, particularly federal contractors in Albuquerque, value candidates who can show clear progression from individual contributor to team leader in their portfolio.
How much do product design leads make in New Mexico?
Product design leads in New Mexico earn a median of about $62,710 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $45,470 for the lowest 10% to over $109,760 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire product design leads in New Mexico?
Employers hiring product design leads in New Mexico right now include Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Merrick & Company, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. New Mexico's concentration of federal research and defense contractors in the Albuquerque corridor means a meaningful share of openings comes from technology-intensive organizations building complex digital tools and internal platforms.
Which New Mexico cities have the most product design lead jobs?
Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and Los Lunas account for the largest share of product design lead openings in New Mexico. Albuquerque drives most of the volume as the state's technology and federal contracting hub, with Santa Fe adding openings tied to state government and creative technology firms, while Las Cruces reflects demand from New Mexico State University and regional employers growing their digital product capabilities.
Are there remote product design lead jobs in New Mexico?
Yes, and more than most fields, because product design lead work is inherently screen-based and collaborative through digital tools. About 26% of product design lead openings tied to New Mexico are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting how broadly distributed design teams have become. Strategic and systems design work is most likely to be fully remote, while roles requiring embedded collaboration with hardware or federal clearance teams tend to require on-site presence in Albuquerque.
How can I get hired as a product design lead in New Mexico with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to join a New Mexico employer as a mid-level product or UX designer and build toward a lead role from within. Federal contractors and research institutions in Albuquerque, including national laboratories and defense technology firms, regularly bring on designers at the associate level and develop them internally. Building a portfolio with end-to-end case studies, contributing to open-source design systems, and earning a Google UX Design or similar certificate can accelerate the transition into a formal lead position.
Where can I find and apply to product design lead jobs in New Mexico?
You can find and apply to product design lead jobs in New Mexico on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the state. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit. New Mexico listings are updated regularly, so checking back often gives you the best chance of catching new openings as they post.
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