Design Lead – Parametric Models

Cricut•South Jordan, UT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Cricut is seeking a Lead Designer of 3D Parametric Models to architect and build the company's parametric content library. This library will consist of hundreds of customizable models designed to remain robust and producible regardless of user adjustments. This is a hands-on role where the individual will create reference-quality models, define the design system for all other models, and lead production, primarily through external contractors. The role combines aspects of a 3D artist and a design engineer, focusing on adjustability, sensible bounds, and model integrity under various conditions. The leadership in this role is achieved through the system and standards established, rather than direct reports.

Requirements

Deep expertise in parametric CAD and computational modeling, including constraints, dependencies, configurations, and reusable geometry.
Ability to design models that remain robust across their full parameter range.
Fluency in tools such as Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape, Creo, Grasshopper, OpenSCAD, CadQuery, or equivalent.
A clear point of view on parametric UX, including naming, grouping, bounding, and defaulting parameters for confident user customization.
Strong knowledge of design for additive manufacturing, including tolerances, wall thickness, overhangs, supports, layer orientation, material constraints, and maintaining printability across user-customized parameter ranges.
Industrial and visual design judgment.
Experience with scripting or CAD APIs (Python, Grasshopper scripting, OpenSCAD, CadQuery, or similar).
Experience directing external contractors or vendors against a standard, including briefs, reviews, QA, acceptance criteria, and production throughput.
Comfort building in ambiguity and shaping systems that do not yet exist.
Scrappy and resourceful approach to shipping when tools or processes are not fully developed.
Actively using AI tools in personal work and eagerness to find more applications for automation.
Collaborative and low ego, leading through system and standard rather than authority.

Nice To Haves

Comfort in 2D tools like Illustrator and Photoshop.
Interest in consumer creativity, crafting, making, or DIY.
Cricut familiarity.

Responsibilities

Design and build reference-quality parametric models that set the standard for the library.
Define a consistent parametric design system, including parameter terminology, grouping, ranges, defaults, dependencies, presets, and user-facing controls.
Design for user customization, determining adjustability, sensible bounds, and fixed elements.
Ensure models remain producible across their full parameter range, considering tolerances, wall thickness, overhangs, supports, layer orientation, and material constraints.
Build reusable templates, shared components, modeling standards, and validation approaches for practical model building and maintenance.
Develop automation and scripting to streamline model production.
Direct external contractors in model production, including writing briefs, setting acceptance criteria, reviewing output, and ensuring predictable throughput.
Own the parametric content library end-to-end, including the underlying system and its content.
Partner with product and software teams on the presentation of parametric controls in applications.
Utilize AI tools to accelerate the process from concept to finished model and guide team adoption of effective AI tools.