Transportation Industrial Design Intern

Polaris • Medina, MN

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Industrial Design Intern contributes to the conceptual process for new product creation across the Polaris product portfolio, working with an experienced Designer at the company’s Minnesota Design Studio. The intern participates in weekly project critiques and contributes to a professional design process on various projects. They develop concepts based on product descriptions and Voice of Customer insights, aiming to meet or exceed customer expectations while incorporating criteria-led requirements from Product Managers, Engineers, and Manufacturing. Designs may be refined and used through production intent.

The intern interacts with peer groups across the organization, makes decisions with guidance from Senior Designers, and presents work to different levels of Polaris leadership. This is a hands-on, studio-based internship in Medina, Minnesota, with onsite attendance five days per week. The role offers exposure to advanced CMF development, graphics workflows, and full-scale vehicle mockups, as well as experience supporting production-focused design work and learning how CMF and graphics contribute to high-performance Polaris products.

Requirements

• A design portfolio is required; submit it as a link or PDF, and include a PDF if the link does not work.
• Currently pursuing a degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or a related field at a recognized Design School.
• At least 1 year of experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good team player with a great attitude and a desire to learn.
• Must attend onsite five days per week at the Medina, Minnesota studio.
• Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, asylee, or refugee) and not require employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Former employees must be eligible for rehire; current employees must be in good standing.

Nice To Haves

• Powersports experience.
• Peer-review experience.
• Proficiency with design software including, but not limited to, Blender, Gravity Sketch, Keyshot, Alias, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Responsibilities

• Sketch and execute original designs informed by segment and category research.
• Make design decisions with guidance from Senior Designers, considering Voice of Customer characteristics and Brand DNA, and use that guidance to improve work.
• Present concepts and ideas to Design peers and Design Management alongside Senior and Lead Designers, and provide project feedback during weekly program meetings.
• Present the story behind designs to team members, take notes, and identify next steps and actions to progress the designs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners, including Engineering and Product Managers.
• Work with Clay Modelers if a theme or design is selected.
• Work with Digital Modelers during theme and design development.
• Create digital-design assets using software provided by the Polaris Design Department.
• Present design development weekly on display monitors or large-format printouts during design critiques.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed