Senior Toy Designer - Collectibles Plush

Jazwares Careers • Culver City, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Toy Designer for Collectibles Plush leads the design and development of innovative toy lines for market-leading brands. The role balances creative vision with strategic alignment, translating consumer insights into collectible products and guiding the design process from ideation and sketching through technical problem-solving, prototyping, user testing, and final production. The designer creates compatible and usable systems of play for new and existing collectible toy lines, and collaborates with brand management, engineering, packaging, licensors, and global manufacturing partners to meet brand standards, cost targets, quality requirements, and schedules.

The position develops and delivers product turnover specifications and control drawings, manages specification changes and licensor submissions, and reviews development artwork, sculpts, paint masters, and samples. It also presents concepts to internal leadership and external licensors, maintains high design standards, and works with management to resolve development bottlenecks. The role has no supervisor responsibilities; duties may change or be added as needed.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of product design experience in the toy industry, including a proven track record in soft goods such as plush and textiles.
• At least 1 year of experience collaborating with overseas manufacturing partners; Asia experience is preferred, and understanding of multiple manufacturing processes and materials is required.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Expertise in control drawings and rendered illustration concepts.
• Ability to research consumer trends, innovations, and the competitive toy landscape to inform design direction.
• Exceptional project management, visual, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to build consensus across cross-functional departments.
• Proactive problem-solving skills and a highly developed sense of aesthetics.
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Standard computer proficiency in Microsoft Office and G-Suite.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering software such as ZBrush, Rhino, or Fusion 360.
• Prior experience in the toy, baby, costume, or pet industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle, from ideation, consumer research, and concept generation through prototype execution and final user testing.
• Create innovative systems of play focused on compatibility and usability for new and existing collectible toy lines.
• Collaborate with brand management, engineering, packaging, licensors, and other partners to meet brand standards, licensor requirements, and strategic goals.
• Prepare precise, clear, and complete product turnover specifications and control drawings for global factory partners.
• Review and document specification changes, submit designs for licensor approval, and provide feedback on illustrative turns, sculpts, paint masters, and development samples.
• Present and communicate toy concepts to internal leadership and external licensor teams during brainstorming and brand meetings.
• Maintain high design standards and work with management to resolve development bottlenecks while meeting target costs, schedules, and QA/QC requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children.
• Employee basic life and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Flexible work schedule: onsite Monday through Thursday, with optional work from home on Fridays.
• Up to 20 fully remote workdays per year.
• Time off for vacation and sick leave.
• Up to 16 hours per year for volunteering on community service projects through Jazwares Cares.
• Eligibility for an annual performance incentive may apply.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed