Industrial Design Manager

Highwater Marine•Elkhart, IN

About The Position

Godfrey Marine is seeking a creative Industrial Design Manager to join its Product Development team. The role contributes to the development of exterior and interior designs for Godfrey Pontoons and Hurricane Boats, working with an engineering group responsible for established and award-winning recreational boating brands. The position plays a key role in concept development and collaborates across functions to support production execution. The successful candidate will learn from customers and dealers, understand the boating lifestyle, and develop innovative design solutions that foster meaningful connections on the water. The role requires creative, strategic, and analytical thinking; the ability to work independently with minimal supervision; and flexibility to work a variable schedule to support project completion. The designer will use 2D and 3D tools to develop compelling designs, communicate design concepts to executive leadership, and partner with engineering, product management, and supply chain to deliver products on time, within scope and budget, and consistent with brand identity. The position also involves research, troubleshooting, competitive and trend analysis, workshops, and prototype and mock-up creation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in industrial design or a related field.
Strong aesthetic sense and artistic skill.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong skills with 3D modeling, rendering, and visual creation software platforms such as Solidworks, Rhino, and Adobe Creative Suite.
General knowledge of and passion for creating recreational products.
Willingness to implement AI in the design process.
Willingness to use power tools.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of materials and manufacturing processes for metal, aluminum, composite, and plastic materials.
Understanding of upholstery and sewing practices using foam, vinyl, and various substrate materials.
Boating experience is not required.

Responsibilities

Create innovative interior and exterior designs using 2D and 3D tools.
Develop concepts with attention to three-dimensional form, proportions, and aesthetic quality.
Conduct competitive analysis and trend research, and assist with color and materials.
Research and troubleshoot design problems.
Create presentations and communicate the design story to executive leadership.
Work cross-functionally with engineering, product management, and supply chain to support on-time product completion.
Balance brand identity, functionality, budget, and project scope in design decisions.
Host and contribute to brainstorming and workshop sessions.
Create prototypes and mock-ups.
Work independently with minimal supervision and adapt work schedule as needed to complete projects.