Industrial Designer

rivID Product Development inc.; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 42,000 - 56,000; Part time

Job summary

rivID Product Development Inc. in Ottawa is seeking an Industrial Designer for a part‑time contract (with potential to go full‑time) in a hybrid role that blends remote work with on‑site collaboration.

You will drive end‑to‑end product development, including concept generation, 3D CAD design, prototyping, and design documentation, translating user needs into manufacturable, aesthetically compelling solutions while collaborating with clients and the design team through testing and production.

Qualifications

• Must be in the Ottawa area - this is a hybrid position.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in industrial and/or mechanical design.
• Strong foundation in Industrial Design and Mechanical Design, with the ability to translate user needs into functional, manufacturable (DFM), and aesthetic product solutions.
• Must be mechanically inclined; must know nuts, bolts, threads, materials, manufacturing methods and engineering principles.
• Willingness to work remotely without constant supervision; self-directed to meet project objectives.
• Must have transportation to travel to and from the studio and clients' offices for meetings.
• Hands-on with prototyping experience (building, testing, iterating).
• Willing to perform all forms of work, including assembly and shop cleanup.
• Proficiency in Design Thinking and user-centered design methods.
• Experience guiding concepts through testing, design for manufacturing, and production preparation.
• Strong skills to optimize output using AI tools (e.g., Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT).
• Fluent English; French is an asset.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end product development including concept generation, product styling, and form factor exploration.
• Create sketches, 3D CAD design, manufacturing drawings, and design presentations.
• Build and iterate physical and digital prototypes; assist in product assembly.
• Collaborate with team and clients to ensure design intent through testing and manufacturing.
• Apply design thinking to user research insights, refining usability and ergonomics.
• Support design for manufacturing activities with suppliers and internal partners.
• Document design decisions and participate in project reviews.

Skills

Industrial Design

Mechanical Design

Prototyping

Design Thinking

2D/3D design

Communication

Self-directed

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

KeyShot

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

OnShape

Fusion360

Job description

Company Description

rivID Product Development Inc. is an industrial design consultancy founded in Ottawa, Canada, in January 2025 with a focus on solving real-world problems through measurable results. The team helps clients transform product ideas into market-ready solutions, supporting every stage of the journey. rivID partners with businesses to address complex product development and design challenges, from early concept design to prototyping, product testing, and design for manufacturing. With applied design and engineering expertise, rivID delivers user-centered products that perform reliably in real-world use.

Role Description

This part-time contract position (with the potential for full-time) Industrial Designer role is a hybrid remote + on-site position based in the Greater Ottawa Metropolitan Area. The Industrial Designer will contribute to end-to-end product development, including concept generation, product styling, and form factor exploration for a range of physical products. Day-to-day work includes creating sketches, 3D CAD design, manufacturing drawings, preparing design presentations, building and iterating physical and digital prototypes, product assembly, and collaborating with team and clients to ensure design intent is preserved through testing and manufacturing. The role also involves applying design thinking to user research insights, refining product usability and ergonomics, and supporting design for manufacturing activities with suppliers and internal partners. The Industrial Designer will participate in project reviews, document design decisions, and help maintain quality and consistency across the studio’s design portfolio.

Qualifications

• Must be in the Ottawa area - this is a hybrid position


• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in industrial and/or mechanical design


• Strong foundation in Industrial Design and Mechanical Design, with the ability to translate user needs into functional, manufacturable (DFM), and aesthetic product solutions.


• Must be mechanically inclined; must know your nuts, bolts, threads, materials (strength and properties), manufacturing methods and Engineering principles, etc.


• Must be flexible with the willingness to work remotely without constant supervision; must be self-sufficient and self-directed to meet project objectives


• Must have transportation to travel to and from the studio and clients' offices for meetings.


• Must be hands-on with experience with Prototyping, including building, testing, and iterating models using appropriate materials and tools.


• Must be willing and enthusiastic to accept all forms of work, including assembly work, shop cleanup or other manufacturing work.


• Proficiency in Design Thinking, user-centered design methods, and problem-solving approaches for complex product challenges.


• Experience in Product Development, guiding concepts through testing, design for manufacturing, and preparation for production.


• Must be skilled in 2D and 3D design tools: SolidWorks, KeyShot, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, and capable of producing clear design documentation and presentations. Software skills in tools such as OnShape, Fusion360. Figma, Blender, Vizcom, Midjourney etc. are not required but are strong assets.


• Must have strong skills to optimize output and efficiency by using AI tools (Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT)


• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and engage with clients.


• Language: English; French is an asset


• Very high attention to detail, time management, and the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast-paced consultancy environment.


• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience.