Industrial Designer

Storyteller Overland, LLC; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Storyteller Overland, LLC in Birmingham, AL seeks a visionary Industrial Designer to lead next‑generation product concepts that blend innovation with iconic aesthetics. You will transform complex ideas into user‑focused, manufacturable designs that elevate our brand in the adventure vehicle market.

As a design leader, you will partner with Engineering and R&D to ensure design integrity from concept to mass production, drive rapid prototyping, and champion CMF and VDL strategies that resonate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Industrial Design.
• 2+ years of professional experience designing commercially successful consumer products.
• Portfolio demonstrating mastery of form, surfacing, proportions, and aesthetics.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks/Rhino).
• Experience with rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes.
• UX/UI experience for digital interfaces and physical products.
• Ability to transform abstract information into tangible product specs.

Responsibilities

• Drive visionary innovation by evaluating trends and technologies in outdoor markets.
• Elevate aesthetics through CMF strategy and refined form vocabulary.
• Translate user insights into intuitive experiences.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering & R&D from concept to mass production.
• Build physical and digital mock-ups for rapid validation.
• Advocate for design decisions with stakeholders and leadership.
• Advance technology and tools to提升 Industrial Design efficiency.

Skills

Industrial Design

2+ years experience

Portfolio required

UX/UI

Creative problem-solving

Team collaboration

Visionary thinking

Product definition

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Industrial Design

Tools

SolidWorks

Rhino

KeyShot

Blender

Unreal Engine

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Job description

Our History:

The Storyteller Overland vibe started out as a drawing on a restaurant napkin in 2017 illustrating a desire to help people live more adventurous lives. Back then, very few had ever heard of an adventure van, and some at the restaurant table with Founder Jeffrey Hunter had doubts it would ever sell.

The company officially launched in 2018 with a humble yet confident team of seven employees. Over the next year, we worked on launching our MODE 4x4 and finding dealer partners to work with, and finally, the dream was turning into a reality.

We’ve been fortunate to be full speed ahead since then. We’ve added sister companies to our galaxy and built out quite the impressive team – hopefully you included. We hit 500 vans built, then 1,000, then so many more that these milestones became difficult to keep track of. We’ve added new vehicles to our lineup and have built a massive community of like-minded adventurers that also continues to grow.

Today, Storyteller Overland is the most expansive adventure vehicle company in North America built on an authentic spirit of adventure, a passion for exceptionally well-crafted rigs, and a deep love and affinity for the community of owners we serve.

As we reflect on our history, though, we remind ourselves that our best ideas are still ahead of us, not behind us. Here’s to saying yes to the next grand adventure!

Our Culture:

We are proud to have a values-based culture, which means we focus less on rules & transacting and more on values & transforming. Our goal is to create workplaces and spaces where great people can do great things to thrive and flourish both professionally and personally.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a visionary Industrial Designer to lead the creation of next‑generation products that seamlessly blend cutting‑edge innovation, elevated user experiences, and iconic aesthetics. In this role, you will have the opportunity to create disruptive, forward‑thinking products while building an iconic brand. You will challenge the status quo, transforming complex and ambiguous information into beautiful, user‑focused designs elevating our brand position. The ideal candidate possesses a rare mix of artistic intuition, user empathy, and a passion for disruptive innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive Visionary Innovation: Stay informed of user behaviors, competitive products, trends and emerging technologies in the outdoor adventure market to pitch forward‑thinking, disruptive product concepts.
• Elevate Product Aesthetics: Refine the visual design language (VDL), form vocabulary, and CMF (Color, Material, Finish) strategy to create premium, emotionally resonant products.
• User‑Focused Design: Conduct user research and translate ergonomic, behavioral, and cognitive insights into intuitive user experiences. Create designs that solve user frustrations and serve unmet needs.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Engineering, Research & Development (R&D) to ensure design integrity is maintained from initial sketch to mass production.
• Rapid Prototyping & Iteration: Build physical and digital mock‑ups to quickly validate forms, proportions, and mechanical layouts.
• Design Evangelism: Articulate and defend design decisions to executive leadership and stakeholders through compelling visual storytelling.
• Advance Technology and Tools: Be the expert on emerging technologies and tools to advance and improve Industrial Design efficiencies and execution.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field.
• Experience: 2+ years of professional experience designing commercially successful consumer products, preferably in transportation, powersports, marine or other related industries.
• Portfolio Excellence: A diverse portfolio demonstrating a mastery of form, surfacing, proportions, and a highly refined aesthetic sensibility. Your portfolio should also demonstrate creativity, problem solving and a "fail fast" approach. Candidates who apply without a portfolio will not be considered.
• Technical Mastery:
  • Advanced 3D CAD modeling skills (SolidWorks and Rhino preferred).
  • Proficiency in digital rendering and visualization capabilities (KeyShot, Blender, or Unreal Engine).
  • Exceptional with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
  • Mastery of sketching and rendering; analog and digital.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Understanding of diverse manufacturing processes (FRP, sheet metal fabrications, softgoods and cabinetry) and assembly methods.
• Hands‑on Craft: Strong analog sketching skills and experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, soft modeling). Ability to create fail fast mock‑ups.
• Driving innovation: Experience leading innovation and brainstorming sessions.
• UX/UI: Experience creating compelling and intuitive digital interfaces and executing intuitive analog and physical experiences.
• Intuition: Ability to transform abstract and ambiguous information into tangible product specifications and requirements.
• Team Centric: Perform additional responsibilities and tasks as assigned to support organizational and team goals.

Work Schedule:

• Flexible: Operating hours are generally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M - F

Position Scorecard:

• Core Competencies: Industrial Design & Technical Excellence, Attention to Detail & Design Integrity, Ownership & Accountability, Cross‑Functional Collaboration, Communication & Design Influence, Adaptability & Learning Agility, Teamwork & Camaraderie
• Position Mission:Deliver innovative designs that improve the user experience of our products, elevate the brand and increase desirability of our products.
• Anticipated Outcome:Deliver innovative designs to meet business objectives by creating desirable products for the end user.

Physical Requirements:

Candidates should be prepared for the following:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer (CAD/software work)
• Occasional standing, walking, and bending when collaborating with production or inspecting physical prototypes
• Ability to use hands and fingers for detailed computer work, writing, and handling technical drawings or small parts
• Visual acuity to read technical documents, engineering drawings, and computer screens
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds, such as physical prototypes, tools, or materials (if visiting the production floor or handling components)
• Hearing and verbal communication skills to participate in team meetings, give instructions, and explain design concepts
• Mobility to move around an office, shop floor, or prototype lab in a safe manner

It's important to note that this job primarily involves office-based work, and the physical demands are generally minimal. Accommodations will be provided as needed to ensure the comfort and well‑being of employees in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Exemption Status:

Exempt