Industrial Designer / Toy Designer (Physical Products) - Contractor
About The Position
KiwiCo is seeking a contract Industrial Designer or Toy Designer to join their Product Design team. This role focuses on developing compelling products and experiences for kids and families, from unboxing to play. The designer will be responsible for ideating and conceptualizing new products, leveraging new play patterns, materials, and price points to appeal to a broad audience. The ideal candidate is an independent, hands-on individual with strong mechanical intuition, the ability to make products both fun and functional, and a passion for user testing. Experience in form-giving and applying brand guidelines to products that capture children's imaginations is essential. The role involves leading projects from conception through to a finished product, including brainstorming, prototyping, pitching, refining, testing, preparing product specifications, and sampling. While independent, there will be opportunities for collaboration and support from the Product Design team. This position may be remote.
Requirements
- 4+ years experience designing products from concept to manufacturing
- Bachelor or Masters degree in relevant field (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or Product Design)
- Proficient in 3D modeling software (Solidworks or Fusion360)
- Proficient in Adobe Suite
- Proficient in rendering software (Keyshot, Blender)
- Strong mechanical intuition.
- Ability to make things both fun and functional.
- Passion for user testing.
- Experience in form-giving.
- Strong prototyping skills.
- Proficiency with laser cutting, 3D printing, and hand building.
- Strong visualization skills.
- Experience with user testing and insights.
- Passionate about kids, creativity, and play.
- Time management skills and ability to multitask.
- Collaboration & communication skills.
- Ability to learn, grow, and push boundaries.
Nice To Haves
- Toy experience
- Packaging design experience
- Experience play testing with kids
Responsibilities
- Ideating and concepting new products that expand the KiwiCo product assortment.
- Leveraging new play patterns, materials, and price points to appeal to a large audience.
- Leading projects from conception through to a finished product.
- Brainstorming, prototyping, pitching, refining, testing, preparing product specs, and sampling.
- Applying brand and visual design guidelines to products.
- Conducting user testing and incorporating insights to improve product engagement.
- Collaborating with Operations, Sourcing, Editorial, and Marketing teams.
- Proactively bringing creative leadership across multiple projects.
- Designing for manufacture with 4+ years of experience in consumer products and toy experience.
- Utilizing a range of making tools: laser cutting, 3D printing, hand building.
- Communicating new product ideas with compelling sketches and renders.
- Using 3D modeling software (Solidworks, Fusion360, Rhino) and rendering software (Keyshot, Blender).
- Play testing with kids (a plus).
Benefits
- Opportunities for an annual bonus
- Stock options
- Variety of benefits related to health, financial security, and well-being
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
