Designer, Design & Development (Toys)

NBCUniversal•Universal City, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

NBCUniversal’s Universal Franchise Products & Partnerships Consumer Products Group is seeking a creative, collaborative Toy Product Designer for its Preschool Boys, Plush, Bluesky Team. The designer will develop innovative toy concepts and guide licensed products from early ideation through production, combining hands-on product concepting, toy design, and creative art direction with an understanding of consumer needs and play. The role identifies new and white-space opportunities, translates characters and stories into compelling products and play experiences, and works closely with toy licensees and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products. The position reports to a Sr. Design Manager and includes travel as required to support business and operational needs. The position currently follows a hybrid schedule, requiring work from the office at least four days per week. The company reserves the right to change in-office requirements. Salary range is $72,000–$85,000. The role is eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, discounts, and other perks.

Requirements

At least 3 years of design and development experience.
Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree; preferably in toy design, industrial design, product design, or graphic design.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to provide thoughtful, clear creative art direction to partners and vendors.
Ability to prioritize and multitask in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment involving multiple product-development calendars.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal skills to navigate work across multifunctional departments.
Understanding of age-appropriate play patterns.
Experience with toy categories such as preschool, plush, playsets, action figures, vehicles, role play, or collectibles, or related categories.
Curiosity about consumer behavior, emerging toy trends, technology, innovation, and new ways to play.
Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and relevant product-development software, including Keynote.
Ability to travel as required.
Portfolio should demonstrate product ideation, sketching, creative problem-solving, and design development; examples of toy, children’s, character-based, or other three-dimensional product design are strongly preferred.
Portfolio should show the full product-development lifecycle from concept to shelf, including examples such as sketches, trend research, pattern and print development, overlays/redlines, technical design packages (tech packs), sampling iterations, and final produced products.
Submitted portfolio work must be the candidate’s original work and clearly show the candidate’s individual design contributions.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with licensed entertainment IP, style guides, and character-driven product development.
Understanding of, and willingness to learn and integrate, company-approved AI workflows.
Professional portfolio examples of toy, children’s product, character-based product, or other three-dimensional product design.

Responsibilities

Partner with toy licensees throughout product development, from initial concept through production, providing creative direction through draw-overs, visual references, and design notes.
Translate characters, stories, and franchise attributes into product features, play patterns, and collectible experiences.
Develop toy concepts and presentations using concept sketches, product renderings, mood boards, and visual storytelling.
Manage product submissions through Universal’s product approval systems and provide timely, constructive, solutions-oriented creative feedback.
Lead design projects with internal and external cross-functional teams, balancing product objectives, consumer needs, and timelines.
Co-create design strategies with the Manager and Director, using research, trends, and consumer insights to inform product opportunities.
Partner with Category, Retail, Franchise, and other cross-functional teams to provide licensees with creative direction, assets, insights, and information.
Identify consumer, category, and portfolio white-space opportunities and develop product concepts based on consumer insights, global toy trends, competitive products, and cultural influences.
Support the UP&E product development process through clear, timely communication and participation in development reviews and meetings.
Support creative initiatives including blue-sky ideation, content exploration, and product innovation.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet evolving team and business needs.
Travel as required to support business and operational needs.