Associate 3D Designer, Hardware

American Society of Interior Designers; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off & Holiday Cal.

Summer Fridays

Internal Mobility Across Brands

Cross-brand Discount

Exclusive Employee Sales

Fav 5 Cards

401k Match

Paid Parental Leave

Thrive Wellness Program

Job summary

Michael Kors is seeking an Associate 3D Designer, Hardware to bring hardware concepts to life for Accessories and Footwear. You will translate design intent into production-ready hardware, model in 3D, and manage development from concept through commercialization with cross-functional teams.

You will maintain precise records, collaborate closely with designers and suppliers, and contribute to efficient digital workflows and asset libraries to support future collections.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of industry experience in hard surface 3D modeling, product design, or related field.
• Strong time management, organizational, and prioritization skills with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent attention to detail with strong eye for proportion and form.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility and ability to translate design concepts into hardware solutions.
• Proficiency in Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Understanding of hardware construction, functionality, and manufacturing considerations; handbag/footwear experience preferred.
• Effective verbal and written communication across teams.
• Interest in evolving technologies, digital workflows, and asset creation best practices.
• Additional experience with 3D software, rendering workflows, and 3D printing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Utilize 2D sketches and nurbs-based 3D models to support hardware developments across Accessories and Footwear.
• Collaborate with designers to develop brand-right hard surface hardware concepts balancing aesthetics, function, and cost.
• Coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to move concepts through commercialization while meeting timelines.
• Create production-ready 3D models and supporting documents from sketches and tech packs.
• Create closed OBJs for hardware to support visualization and digital product creation.
• Track development from concept through sampling with clear status reports to PD, Costing and Designers.
• Maintain records of revisions, approvals, costs, and milestones; manage asset libraries in PLM.
• Organize seasonal and core digital hardware libraries with accurate renderings and vector assets.

Skills

3D modeling

Time management

Detail oriented

Aesthetic sensibility

Rhino

Adobe Creative Suite

Hardware construction knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

3D printing

Tools

Rhino

Adobe Creative Suite

3D software

Rendering workflows

3D printing

Job description

Who You Are

The Associate 3D Designer, Hardware is a detail-oriented and highly organized product creator who brings hardware concepts to life through 3D modeling, development execution, and cross-functional collaboration. Reporting to the Senior 3D Artist, this role supports Accessories and Footwear by translating design intent into production-ready hardware solutions while managing development from concept through commercialization. You have a strong eye for form and proportion, a passion for quality and process, and thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity, technical expertise, and organization are equally important.

What You’ll Do

• Utilize 2D sketches and nurbs-based 3D models to support new hardware developments, concepts, and design intent across Accessories and Footwear divisions.
• Partner with Senior Designer to develop brand-right hard surface hardware concepts that balance aesthetic, functional, and cost objectives.
• Collaborate with suppliers, Design, Product Development, Technical Design, Costing, and cross-functional teams to bring concepts through commercialization that achieve functional requirements, cost targets, and aesthetic direction while meeting calendar milestones.
• Create clean, production-ready 3D models and supporting 2D documents from sketches, tech packs, and reference materials, consistently delivering high-quality work on schedule.
• Partner with 3D Artists to create closed OBJs for commercialized hardware to support product visualization and digital product creation.
• Track hardware development from concept through sampling, maintaining accurate records of revisions, approvals, costs, and development milestones. Maintain and proactively communicate development status and challenges to PD, Costing and Designers
• Keep track of various KPI including adoption ratio / cost / due date adherence / quality call outs
• Coordinate development sample shipments and ensure timely distribution of samples to cross-functional partners and factories.Maintain and distribute physical and digital approvals and ensure cross-functional partners and suppliers are clear of the standards, communicating any delays or risks proactively.
• Keep records of development documentation, upload assets and imagery into PLM systems, and ensure information is accurate and current throughout the development process.
• Create and maintain seasonal and core digital hardware libraries, including accurate renderings and vector assets, to improve efficiency, reduce redundancies, and preserve historical references.
• Organize and maintain physical hardware archives, development references, and production standards for easy access and future use.
• Create and maintain season new hardware and carryover hardware archives both physically and digitally in formats that business partners can understand.
• Proactively identify development challenges, recommend creative solutions, and contribute to process improvements and team best practices.
• Follow direction from management, communicate project status effectively, and help ensure successful delivery of seasonal objectives.

You’ll Need to Have

• 3+ years of industry experience in hard surface 3D modeling, product design, sample development, or a related field.
• Strong time management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail, a strong eye for proportion and form, and a passion for quality execution.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility and the ability to translate design concepts into brand-appropriate hardware solutions.
• Proficiency in Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Understanding of hardware construction, application, functionality, and manufacturing considerations; handbag and/or footwear experience preferred.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across a variety of teams and working styles.
• A positive, proactive, and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to take direction, work independently, and solve problems effectively.
• Interest in evolving technologies, digital workflows, and best practices for asset creation, organization, and long-term usability.
• Additional experience with 3D software, rendering workflows, and 3D printing is a plus.

MK Perks:

• Generous Paid Time Off & Holiday Calendar
• Summer Fridays
• Internal Mobility Across Brands
• Cross-brand Discount
• Exclusive Employee Sales
• Fav 5 Cards (MK Discount for friends and family)
• 401k Match
• Paid Parental Leave
• Thrive Wellness Program