Industrial Designer

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Inc • Dardenne Prairie, MO

3d

About The Position

The Industrial Designer helps conceptualize, design, develop, and bring physical products to market, primarily hard goods, with opportunities to contribute to soft goods and cut-and-sew products. The role spans ideation, early-stage concepts, 3D visualization, detailed development, prototyping, and manufacturing. The designer works with cross-functional partners, vendors, and international manufacturing partners to create functional, durable, intuitive, and compelling products for diamond sports athletes and consumers.

The position is in the Operations-Engineering department at the Tech Center and reports to the Product Design Manager. Work takes place in general office and lab conditions, with approximately 20% travel, including international travel. The role requires a bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field and 1–5 years of professional industrial or product design experience. The ideal candidate has a portfolio showing physical products developed from concept through production and proficiency with 3D design and modeling, rendering, and digitizing tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a similar related field.
• Highly proficient in 3D design and modeling software; NX or Solidworks preferred.
• 1–5 years of professional industrial or product design experience, preferably with physical consumer products.
• Strong affinity for understanding the changing sporting goods market.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating physical products developed from concept through production.
• Demonstrated experience designing hard goods.
• Mechanical aptitude in common manufacturing techniques, including injection and compression molding, composites, vacuum forming, and soft goods.
• Ability to balance creative design with cost, durability, manufacturability, and performance considerations.
• Strong understanding of ergonomics and human-centered design principles.
• Excellent visual and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with evolving priorities.
• Proficiency in rendering and digitizing tools, such as digital sketching or KeyShot rendering.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, write routine reports and correspondence, and speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts and apply basic algebra concepts.
• Ability to follow written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Regularly sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel; frequently reach with hands and arms; occasionally stand and walk; and occasionally lift or move objects weighing 10–25 pounds.
• Required vision includes close, distance, and color vision; must be able to hear a telephone ring.
• Approximately 20% travel, including international travel, is required.

Nice To Haves

• NX or Solidworks experience.
• Experience in sporting goods, baseball, outdoor, fitness, protective equipment, or other performance-oriented consumer products.
• Experience designing products where protection, impact resistance, durability, or athletic performance are important.
• Experience with soft goods construction, textiles, sewing, patterns, or cut-and-sew manufacturing.
• Experience working with overseas manufacturing partners and navigating international product development.
• Hands-on prototyping and fabrication experience.
• Familiarity with plastics, foams, metals, textiles, composites, and other performance materials.
• Experience conducting user research, product testing, or field evaluations.
• Spanish language skills.
• Experience contributing to soft goods, textiles, or cut-and-sew products.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative product concepts from ideation through production, emphasizing user-focused design and creative problem solving.
• Create 2D and 3D concepts, CAD models, sketches, renderings, and presentations to communicate design intent and explore solutions.
• Design primarily hard goods and contribute to soft goods, textiles, and cut-and-sew products as needed.
• Apply ergonomics, protection, durability, usability, and user experience principles throughout the design process.
• Translate user needs, product requirements, and market opportunities into physical product solutions.
• Deliver projects on time and within established cost targets.
• Apply continuous improvement throughout design and development while maintaining project timelines.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Quality, Marketing, and other partners to balance athlete needs, aesthetics, performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Review prototypes, samples, and production units and identify design, functional, or manufacturing improvements.
• Develop design documentation, specifications, presentations, and other materials to support product development and manufacturing.
• Conduct competitive analysis and monitor market trends, opportunities, and benchmarks.
• Develop category-leading products that advance performance, innovation, and brand expression.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 401(k), immediately fully vested, with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Paid holidays.
• Opportunities for advancement.
• Employee discount program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level