Lead Industrial Designer

Skild; San Francisco, Pittsburgh (CA, Allegheny County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Skild seeks a Lead Industrial Designer to steer the design and UX of next‑gen robotic systems. You will collaborate with engineering, software, and UX to create intuitive, functional, and visually compelling robotic solutions.

You will shape human‑robot interaction, blending practicality with innovation, leading design strategy, prototyping, and production readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial design, with portfolio in robotics, automation, or hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Rhino) and rendering tools (KeyShot, Blender).
• Experience with human-centered design and ergonomic principles.
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing, and production techniques.
• Familiarity with UI/UX principles for hardware interfaces.
• Knowledge of rapid prototyping (3D printing, CNC machining).
• Understanding of mechanical engineering and hardware collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial design strategy from concept to production.
• Develop and refine concepts through sketches, CAD models, and prototypes.
• Ensure feasibility and manufacturability in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Define materials, finishes, and ergonomics for optimal usability.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to enhance interaction design.
• Align designs with branding for a cohesive product experience.
• Present concepts to stakeholders and leadership.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies.

Skills

Industrial design

Robotics

Human-centered design

Ergonomics

Materials & manufacturing

UI/UX for hardware

Rapid prototyping

Mechanical engineering collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Industrial Design

Tools

SolidWorks

Rhino

KeyShot

Blender

Job description

At Skild AI, we are building the world's first general purpose robotic intelligence that is robust and adapts to unseen scenarios without failing. We believe massive scale through data‑driven machine learning is the key to unlocking these capabilities for the widespread deployment of robots within society. Our team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and backgrounds, from new graduates to domain experts. Relevant industry experience is important, but ultimately less so than your demonstrated abilities and attitude. We are looking for passionate individuals who are eager to explore uncharted waters and contribute to our innovative projects.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Lead Industrial Designer to drive the design and user experience of our next‑generation robotic systems. In this role, you will collaborate with engineering, software, and UX teams to create intuitive, functional, and visually compelling robotic solutions. Your designs will shape human‑robot interaction, blending practicality with innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial design strategy from concept to production.
• Develop and refine concepts through sketches, CAD models, and prototypes.
• Ensure feasibility and manufacturability in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Define materials, finishes, and ergonomics for optimal usability.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to enhance interaction design.
• Align designs with branding for a cohesive product experience.
• Present concepts to stakeholders and leadership.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial design, with a strong portfolio in robotics, automation, or hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Rhino, etc.) and rendering tools (KeyShot, Blender).
• Experience with human‑centered design and ergonomic principles.
• Strong knowledge of materials, manufacturing, and production techniques.
• Familiarity with UI/UX principles for hardware interfaces.
• Knowledge of rapid prototyping (3D printing, CNC machining).
• Understanding of mechanical engineering and hardware collaboration.

Base Salary Range: $100,000 - $300,000 USD