Junior Product Designer

SBT Global, Inc.; Pico Rivera (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartRecruiters, Inc. seeks a creative Junior Product Designer to bring fresh ideas from concept to production for plush toys and character-based products.

You will join the Brand Teams and collaborate with product development and design teams to translate brand direction into compelling products. Ideal candidates have 2–3 years in Graphic or Product Design, a strong portfolio, and proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of professional experience in Graphic Design or Product Design.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong design skills and process.
• Bachelor's degree or BFA preferred in a related field.
• Experience with plush toys or consumer products preferred.
• Proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Develop concepts for new plush toys and character products.
• Collaborate with product development and design teams to brainstorm ideas.
• Create concept sketches, 2D artwork, and production-ready mockups.
• Translate brand direction into product designs and revise based on feedback.
• Prepare vector artwork, production files, and design specifications.
• Support material, color, and finish selection; review samples for consistency.
• Research trends in toys and consumer products; monitor competitors.
• Manage design tasks; maintain organized project files and documentation.
• Ensure designs meet manufacturing constraints and safety considerations.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Google Workspace

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or BFA in Graphic Design, Product Design, Toy Design, Digital Media

Tools

ClickUp

Job description

We are looking for a creative Junior Product Designer who can bring fresh product ideas to the table—not just execute designs. You will join the Brand Teams and work closely with our product development and design teams to develop plush toys and character-based consumer products from concept through production.

This role is a great opportunity for a designer with 2–3 years of professional experience who has a strong foundation in graphic and product design, enjoys character-driven products, and is eager to learn and grow within the toy and consumer products industry.

Job Description

Product Concept & Design Development

• Develop creative concepts for new plush toys and character-based products.
• Collaborate with the product development and design teams to brainstorm new product ideas.
• Create concept sketches, rough designs, color variations, 2D artwork, and product mockups.
• Translate brand direction and creative concepts into product designs.
• Revise designs based on team feedback, sample reviews, and production needs.

Production & Technical Design

• Create professional-quality vectorized product artwork and production files for factory use.
• Prepare production-ready artwork, design specifications, and visual references.
• Work with the product development team to help ensure designs are practical for production.
• Assist with material, fabric, color, and finish selection.
• Participate in prototype and sample reviews and make design revisions as needed.
• Assist in reviewing samples for consistency with approved designs, including color, materials, artwork, and overall appearance.

Market & Trend Research

• Research current trends in toys, plush, character merchandise, collectibles, and consumer products.
• Monitor competitor products and emerging market trends.
• Research new materials, design ideas, and product opportunities.
• Apply relevant trends while maintaining thebrand identity.

Project Coordination

• Manage assigned design tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Maintain organized project files, artwork, specifications, and design documentation.
• Collaborate with teams including product development, marketing, production, and quality assurance.
• Communicate design changes, project updates, and potential issues clearly.
• Support the product development and QA teams throughout the sample and production process.

Product Development & Manufacturing

• Develop an understanding of U.S. toy and consumer product safety requirements.
• Learn and consider basic manufacturing requirements when developing product designs.
• Support the team in identifying and resolving design-related production issues.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of professional experience in Graphic Design, Product Design, Product Development, Toy Production, or a related field.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong design skills and design process. Examples may include concept sketches, product designs, mockups, final artwork, or production files.
• Bachelor's degree or BFA in Graphic Design, Product Design, Toy Design, Digital Media, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with product design or pre-production processes such as concept development, artwork preparation, prototyping, or sample revisions.
• Experience with plush toys, soft goods, character merchandise, or consumer products is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to accept feedback, make revisions, and work collaboratively with a team.
• Ability to manage assigned tasks and meet deadlines with guidance from senior team members.
• Interest in character brands, toys, plush, collectibles, and consumer product trends.

Preferred Skills

• Drawing and concept development skills.
• Familiarity with plush toys or soft-goods construction.
• Experience communicating design details with factories or product development teams.
• Familiarity with print-ready or production-ready artwork.
• Experience with ClickUp, or similar project management tools.
• Basic knowledge of U.S. toy or consumer product safety requirements.
• Passion for character design, toys, and collectibles.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.