Industrial Design Co-op - Spring 2027

Crown Equipment • Kinston, NC

2d

About The Position

As an Industrial Design Co-op, you will work under the guidance of Industrial Designers to conceptualize and develop new and innovative products and solutions. This role involves research into user needs, product requirements, and industry trends, as well as conceptual design, including form, aesthetics, and user interactions. You will create sketches, renderings, and models to communicate design intent, and collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing to determine materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes. The position also includes design development, creating 3D CAD models, validating designs with prototypes, and assisting with product graphics and field testing. Miscellaneous duties include project documentation, product photography, and supporting design competitions.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Industrial Design.
• Good written communication, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical problem solving and judgment.
• A personal means of reliable transportation.
• Individuals with temporary visas or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Responsibilities

• Research and document user needs, product requirements, competitive products and industry trends.
• Conduct field research of users and products, including onsite observations, interviews, filming and task analysis.
• Follow-up with field research after product introduction.
• Conceptualize new and innovative products and solutions, including creating aspects of form, aesthetics and physical/psychological interactions between users and products.
• Create sketches, renderings and models as necessary to convey design intent.
• Create layouts and test bucks as necessary to resolve basic user ergonomics.
• Determine material, construction, mechanisms, shape, color, surface finish and manufacturing processes in cooperation with Engineering and Manufacturing.
• Communicate design solutions to management and other team members.
• Create 3-dimensional CAD models of appearance parts.
• Validate surface geometry with rapid prototype samples.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing to ensure that manufacturability requirements are met.
• Assist with product graphics.
• Assist the Design staff with field testing to ensure user needs have been met.
• Assist Design staff in preparation for meetings and presentations.
• Support project leaders with project documentation.
• Assist with product photography.
• Create and submit for design competitions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern