Industrial Design Engineer

Tri Tool Inc.; Rancho Cordova (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri Tool Inc. is seeking a Senior Industrial Design Engineer to lead the design of tools and machinery at its Rancho Cordova headquarters. With a focus on collaboration, you will develop user-centered products from concept to production, utilizing SolidWorks for design implementation.

Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and minimum two years experience in the field. A strong portfolio and proficiency with CAD tools are essential for this role. Join our innovative team dedicated to advancing engineering design.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in industrial or product design.
• Demonstrated portfolio of industrial design work.
• Experience with user research and usability evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial design efforts from concept to production.
• Conduct user research and facilitate usability evaluations.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure manufacturability.

Skills

SolidWorks proficiency

Attention to detail

Visual communication

User-centered design

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

3D CAD tools

GD&T knowledge

Job description

Description

With limited supervision, the Senior Industrial Design Engineer is responsible for the industrial design of tools and machinery for pipe and tube machining applications. The successful candidate will be self‑motivated and have a voracious drive for learning and professional growth. This is a full-time position within the Engineering Department and is based at Tri Tool’s headquarters in Rancho Cordova, California.

Requirements

• Collaborate and strategize with colleagues across engineering, production/manufacturing, product management, service, and repair departments to develop innovative, user‑centered industrial tools and equipment.
• Lead industrial design efforts from concept through production, including ideation, sketching, 3D modeling, physical prototyping, and design validation.
• Apply human factors and ergonomics principles to develop products that are safe, intuitive, and optimized for use in demanding field environments.
• Partner with mechanical engineers to ensure industrial design intent is faithfully translated into manufacturable product designs, balancing aesthetics with structural and functional requirements.
• Complete manufacturing and assembly drawings per ASME Y14.5M standards using SolidWorks CAD software, with close attention to tolerancing and DFM (design for manufacturability).
• Define and specify materials, surface finishes, textures, coatings, labels, and graphics to achieve durability and brand consistency across product lines.
• Conduct and facilitate user research, field studies, and usability evaluations to inform design decisions and validate design solutions.
• Manage medium and large design projects with a high degree of independence, from initial brief through final production release.
• Maintain accurate component information, revisions, and bills of materials within Tri Tool’s ERP system (NetSuite).
• Assist and/or lead proposal and business development deliverables, including product cost estimation and risk analysis.
• Participate in hands‑on prototype assembly and testing within an R&D shop environment.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of applicable professional experience in industrial design, product design, or a related discipline within a manufacturing or industrial product environment. A Master’s degree in Industrial Design or a related discipline may be considered in lieu of years of experience.
• Demonstrated portfolio showcasing a breadth of industrial design work, from concept exploration through production‑released products.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD and surface modeling tools for design development and engineering collaboration.
• Working knowledge of GD&T tolerancing methods and their appropriate application.
• High level of attention to detail and completeness of work.
• Strong visual communication skills, including sketching and digital rendering.
• A tenacious attitude and drive to deliver results on schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing portable and/or in situ industrial tools for field use environments.
• Background in designing products subject to harsh environmental conditions (moisture, vibration, temperature extremes).
• Familiarity with CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, casting, and other manufacturing processes.
• Experience with additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping and end‑use part production.
• User research and usability testing experience in industrial or field settings.
• Familiarity with safety standards and regulatory requirements for industrial equipment (ANSI, OSHA, CE).
• Experience with electromechanical product design integrating motors, actuators, or electronic controls.
• Knowledge of pipe and tube machining or related industrial processes.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a closely related field from an ABET‑accredited college or university.
• Master’s Degree preferred.