Ten Speed Press is a leading publisher of illustrated books at the intersection of culture and creativity. We collaborate with tastemakers and trusted authorities in food, drink, design, humor, reference, graphic novels, and prescriptive nonfiction, bringing to readers works that are both visually distinctive and content rich. Recipients of awards from James Beard Awards to Eisners, our books don’t just reflect the cultural moment, they help shape what comes next, providing readers with tools for growth, connection, and transformation. With an intimate, boutique approach, Ten Speed Press curates innovative books that set trends and stand the test of time. 

We are seeking a senior book designer with a passion for pop culture and experience creating world-building, visually arresting, licensed books to join our team. This position, reporting to the Creative Director, will focus on design for our growing licensing program. This is an exciting opportunity to work at a premier illustrated book imprint.  

Specific responsibilities include:

• Contributes to the design vision for the Ten Speed Press licensed publishing program.  

• Creates cover and interior designs for titles that include cookbooks, “making-of” reference titles, visual histories, and an expanding range of in-world guides for readers of all ages. 

• Collaborates with licensors, authors, editors, art directors, and freelance art and design teams throughout the book creation process.  

• Explores, iterates, and actualizes original design ideas and those of others, creatively adapting to licensor feedback from early concepts to finished books. 

• Works with licensor-supplied art assets, as well as modifying, creating, and commissioning new works that comply with branding guidelines and exceed fan expectations. 

• Hires and briefs freelance photography and illustration teams, and tracks art status on multiple deadlines.  

• Works with managing editor and production manager in creating and adhering to book schedules, organizing color proofing, and determining and testing cover production effects.  
• Works with production editors and managers to systematically track files through multiple rounds of improvements and corrections. 

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:

• A sincere passion for both nostalgic and of-the-moment pop culture, with a curiosity to explore and inhabit fandoms across gaming, television and streaming, movies, and more. 

• Excellent design skills with an eye for creating authentic, in-world objects. 

• Ability to embrace and elevate existing aesthetics depicting real-world subcultures, history, fantasy, sci-fi, cartoons, and beyond. 

• Minimum 5 years of publishing experience, specifically including licensed titles. 

• Exceptional communication skills.  

• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently with a high level of organization and attention to detail. 

• Fluency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator); familiarity with production workflows for illustrated books. 

• Strong sensitivity to format, materials, and physical production, with an interest in how books function as collectible objects. 

• Interest in growing the licensed publishing program and devising and evolving process and design solutions that help to keep projects on time and on budget. 

Please include your resume, cover letter, link to online portfolio, and salary requirements for consideration. 

This hybrid position has occasional in-office responsibilities, including but not limited to in-office meetings, events, and daily ad hoc administrative projects. We will consider candidates who can work from a commutable distance to our offices at 6001 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA.

The salary for this position is $73,500.  All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.  

Please apply by March 27, 2026 and include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page.   

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.

Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

 Company: Penguin Random House LLC | Job ID: 287631