Senior Industrial Designer / Design Engineer

SLIMDESIGN; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four-day work week

Amsterdam centre

International projects

Professional development

Team events

Job summary

SLIMDESIGN is an Amsterdam-based product development studio specialising in consumer electronics and technically complex products. We are seeking an experienced Industrial Design Engineer who combines design flair with mechanical engineering expertise to shape the studio's future.

You will work hands-on on concept development, prototyping, testing and production support, collaborating with electronics and software engineers, manufacturing partners, and clients in international projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in Industrial Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience after graduation.
• Experience within a design consultancy, industrial design studio or product development company.
• Excellent product design skills and a refined understanding of form, proportion, detailing and CMF.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, tolerancing, DFM, DFA and manufacturing processes.
• A structured engineering approach and exceptional three-dimensional spatial awareness.
• The ability to solve complex mechanical and product architecture challenges.
• Excellent visual communication skills, including hand sketching, digital sketching and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Expert-level SolidWorks skills, including surface modelling and management of complex assemblies.
• Strong 3D visualisation and rendering skills, preferably using KeyShot.
• The ability to plan and manage your own work, deliverables and quality standards.
• A proactive, independent and constructive attitude.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Dutch language skills are beneficial but not mandatory.
• Strong professional references and positive relationships with previous employers.

Responsibilities

• Translate client briefs into project proposals, development plans and feasibility studies.
• Develop technically feasible product ideas, concepts and system configurations.
• Define product architecture, mechanical construction and production methods.
• Develop and refine components and assemblies in 2D and 3D using SolidWorks.
• Build and test prototypes using in-house FDM and resin printing.
• Coordinate external prototyping, including CNC machining, electronics and specialist suppliers.
• Estimate product costs, tooling investments and development risks.
• Prepare risk analyses, validation procedures and certification strategies.
• Define, outsource and supervise production tooling.
• Communicate directly with clients, suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Contribute to acquisition, studio communications and external media content.
• Maintain and improve internal processes and quality standards.
• Take ownership of projects and support the development of Design Engineers and interns.

Skills

SolidWorks

3D modelling

Product design

Mechanical engineering

DFM DFA

English communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Technical problem solving

Proactive attitude

Leadership potential

Attention to detail

Quality standards

Education

Industrial Design Engineering or Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

KeyShot

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

On-site in Amsterdam | 32–40 hours per week

Key Requirements

• 6+ years of post-graduation industry experience developing mass-produced products
• Strong capabilities in both industrial design and mechanical engineering
• Interested in shaping the future of the studio, beyond individual project work
• Onsite and legally entitled to work in the Netherlands without visa sponsorship
• Based within approximately one hour of Amsterdam Central Station, supporting a sustainable work-life balance

About Slimdesign

SLIMDESIGN is an Amsterdam-based product development studio specialising in consumer electronics and technically complex products. Founder Wouter Konings worked at Dyson, Philips, and a major international design agency before establishing SLIMDESIGN in 2004. Over the past 20+ years, we have refined a lean and integrated development process built around small, hands-on multidisciplinary teams. The same core team remains involved from product definition through to production. Our Industrial Designers therefore work beyond styling and concept development. They are also involved in mechanical engineering, prototyping, testing, validation, tooling, and production implementation. Industrial design, mechanical engineering, electronics, firmware, and software are developed in parallel. This minimises handovers, reduces development risk and allows technical and design decisions to be made quickly and effectively.

“Slim” means bright, clever and intelligent in Dutch. Our design philosophy is minimalistic, and we focus on reduction to the essentials. Through strategy, innovation, design, and engineering, we help clients create meaningful products with a clear competitive advantage. We are not primarily driven by profit. Taking pride in our work and helping our clients succeed is more important. For us, growth is not measured in numbers, but in our ability to take on increasingly interesting and challenging projects. We have a dynamic, open, and direct studio culture. We are ambitious and hardworking, with a strong focus on adding value and continuously improving our processes, quality, and efficiency.

The Colleage We Are Looking For

This role is for someone who rarely encounters colleagues of a similar calibre and who values being challenged by ideas and insights they have not considered themselves. We are looking for someone who is motivated by the work itself, takes pride in the result and is willing to go beyond to maximise the quality and success of our clients. A hands-on team player who enjoys developing different concept directions, analysing their differences and project implications, and enabling clients to make well-informed decisions.
Someone who is ambitious, focused, proactive, and self-motivated, and who is eager to help shape the studio by co-managing acquisition, clients, projects, and team members.

Your Responsibilities

• Translate client briefs into project proposals, development plans and feasibility studies
• Develop technically feasible product ideas, concepts and system configurations
• Define product architecture, mechanical construction and production methods
• Develop and refine components and assemblies in 2D and 3D using SolidWorks
• Build and test prototypes using in-house FDM and resin printing
• Coordinate external prototyping, including CNC machining, electronics and specialist suppliers
• Estimate product costs, tooling investments and development risksPrepare risk analyses, validation procedures and certification strategies
• Define, outsource and supervise production tooling
• Communicate directly with clients, suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Contribute to acquisition, studio communications and external media content
• Maintain and improve internal processes and quality standards
• Take ownership of projects and support the development of Design Engineers and interns

Your Experience And Capabilities

• A degree in Industrial Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• 6+ years of relevant professional experience after graduation
• Experience within a design consultancy, industrial design studio or product development company
• Excellent product design skills and a refined understanding of form, proportion, detailing and CMF
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, tolerancing, DFM, DFA and manufacturing processes
• A structured engineering approach and exceptional three-dimensional spatial awareness
• The ability to solve complex mechanical and product architecture challenges
• Excellent visual communication skills, including hand sketching, digital sketching and Adobe Creative Suite
• Expert-level SolidWorks skills, including surface modelling and management of complex assemblies
• Strong 3D visualisation and rendering skills, preferably using KeyShot
• The ability to plan and manage your own work, deliverables and quality standards
• A proactive, independent and constructive attitude
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Dutch language skills are beneficial but not mandatory
• Strong professional references and positive relationships with previous employers

What We Offer

• A creative and direct working environment in the historic centre of Amsterdam
• Significant responsibility and influence within a small, established studio
• A varied portfolio of technically challenging projects for international clients
• Close collaboration with experienced Electronics and Software Engineers
• Opportunities for professional development and long-term growth
• The possibility of a four-day working week, with Fridays off
• Regular team activities and events

Include your expected gross monthly salary based on full-time employment.