Contract - Industrial Designer

Aescape • New York, NY

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Aescape is seeking an experienced Contract Industrial Designer to play a hands-on role in the design and execution of the next generation of our hardware platform. You will work closely with mechanical engineering, robotics, manufacturing, and product leadership to translate system requirements into manufacturable, cost-effective, and elegant physical designs.
You will be embedded in a fast-moving hardware program, making real trade-offs, producing production-ready design outputs, and iterating directly with engineers and suppliers.
This role is based out of in the office in New York City, NY
Aescape is the NY-based lifestyle robotics company redefining self-care.
Backed by $128MM in funding from investors like Valor Equity Partners (an early investor in Tesla and SpaceX), we launched the world’s first-to-market AI-powered robotic massage experience with Equinox in August 2024 and quickly went viral: WIRED, Fast Company, Popular Science, Sports Business Journal, Fortune, Vogue and Bloomberg are only some of the leading publications that have covered our technology, with celebs like Will Smith posting about us.
Since then, we’ve announced partnerships with global industry leaders across hospitality, pro sports, corporate wellness, and luxury real estate — with more on the horizon as we supercharge growth.

Requirements

• 7+ years of industrial design experience with complex electromechanical or robotic products
• Proven experience taking products from concept through production release
• Strong CAD skills (e.g., SolidWorks or equivalent), including production-intent modeling
• Deep understanding of plastics, metals, soft goods, finishes, fastening methods, and tolerance stack-ups
• Demonstrated experience making disciplined design trade-offs within defined cost and manufacturing constraints
• Practical knowledge of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, CNC machining, sheet metal, die casting, and extrusion
• Comfort working in close partnership with mechanical engineering, quality and manufacturing teams, resolving trade-offs quickly and pragmatically
• Ability to move fast, accept ambiguity, and make informed decisions with incomplete information
• Experience working with overseas manufacturers and interpreting supplier feedback into design changes
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain design intent and trade-offs to cross-functional partners

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the design for soft good, foam, and fabric wrapping
• Experience with robotics, medical devices, fitness equipment, or other safety-critical hardware
• Prior work on products with service, refurbishment, or field-maintenance requirements
• Familiarity with regulatory, safety, or compliance considerations in physical products

Responsibilities

• Own and execute industrial design workstreams from kick off through production-intent designs
• Translate system-level requirements (cost, reliability, serviceability, ergonomics, safety) into concrete industrial design solutions
• Partner tightly with mechanical and robotics engineers to resolve constraints around structure, actuation, cabling, cooling, access, and assembly
• Drive design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) decisions across enclosures, covers, interfaces, and subassemblies
• Contribute to design optimization initiatives, including material selection, part consolidation, fastening strategies, and finish rationalization
• Develop CAD models and production-ready geometry suitable for tooling and supplier handoff
• Produce production representative renders that convey design intent and finish to non-technical stakeholders and leadership
• Support prototype builds, pilot runs, and design validation by rapidly iterating based on test results
• Ensure the final product balances premium feel with operational and financial constraints

Benefits

• Join a trailblazing tech company anticipated to transform the massage industry
• The chance to make a difference with a product that empowers healthier and happier living
• Team culture driven by passion, ambition, empowerment, inclusion, curiosity, and fun!
• We’ll grow together – your personal and professional growth are equally important
• An environment that empowers individuals, emboldens teams, and rewards achievement
• Contract length: 3–6 months (with potential extension based on program needs)
• Competitive contract rate, commensurate with experience
• Opportunity to work on a category-defining physical AI product alongside a senior, experienced hardware team

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed