Industrial Designer / Toy Designer (Physical Products)

KiwiCo Inc.•Mountain View, CA

1d•$100,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

KiwiCo is seeking a designer with an industrial design or toy design background 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 that expand KiwiCo's offerings by exploring new play patterns, materials, and price points. 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. They should be experienced in form-giving and applying brand guidelines to create products that capture the imagination of children and adults. This role involves leading projects from conception through to the finished product, including brainstorming, prototyping, pitching, refining, testing, preparing product specifications, and sampling. While working independently on projects, there will be opportunities for collaboration and support from the Product Design team.

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
Experience in form-giving and applying brand and visual design guidelines
Strong prototyping skills
Proficient with a range of making tools: laser cutting, 3D printing, hand building
Strong visualization skills
Proficient with 3D modeling in Solidworks, Fusion360, Rhino and others, and rendering software like Keyshot, Blender, or others.
Experience with user testing and insights
Time management skills and ability to multitask
Collaboration & communication skills
Passion for learning, growth, and pushing 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 by leveraging new play patterns, materials and price points to appeal to a large audience.
Leading projects from conception through to a finished product, including brainstorming, prototyping, pitching, refining, testing, preparing product specs and sampling.
Designing for manufacture with 4+ years of experience designing consumer products (toy experience a plus).
Managing all aspects of the product development process, from conception through to a finished product.
Prototyping using a range of making tools: laser cutting, 3D printing, hand building.
Communicating new product ideas with compelling sketches and renders.
Conducting user testing and channeling user insights to improve products.
Prioritizing, organizing, and proactively bringing creative leadership across multiple projects.
Collaborating with Operations, Sourcing, Editorial, and Marketing teams.