Sr Industrial Designer

Design Observer; Trussville (AL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Observer is seeking a senior Industrial Designer to lead the design of up-fitted vehicles, delivering sketches, prototypes, and high-end renders for reviews and marketing content.

You will collaborate with engineers, PMs, and clients to ensure feasible, cost-effective solutions while mentoring junior designers and guiding cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial design experience, automotive or heavy machinery preferred.
• Proficiency in Alias, SolidWorks, Rhino, VRed or similar.
• Strong portfolio showcasing innovative designs and successful projects.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing demands.
• Experience in project management and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for up-fitted vehicles, including sketching, prototyping, and 3D modeling.
• Work closely with engineers and product managers to ensure designs are feasible and cost-effective.
• Generate high-res, photo-realistic renders for sketch underlays, design reviews, and marketing content.
• Bring innovative design solutions to the table, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of our up-fitted vehicles.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and sales.
• Work directly with clients to understand needs and translate them into compelling design solutions.
• Present design concepts and prototypes to clients and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members, providing guidance and feedback. Mentor junior designers and contribute to their growth.

Skills

3D modeling

Manufacturing constraints

Photoshop

Communication

MS Office

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design

Tools

Alias

SolidWorks

Rhino

VRed

Photoshop

MS Office

Job description

• Lead the design process for up-fitted vehicles, including sketching, prototyping, and 3D modeling.
• Work closely with engineers and product managers to ensure designs are feasible and cost-effective.
• Generate high-res, photo-realistic renders for sketch underlays, design reviews, and marketing content.
• Bring innovative design solutions to the table, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of our up-fitted vehicles. Stay ahead of industry trends and incorporate new design technologies and materials.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and sales.
• Work directly with clients to understand their needs and translate them into compelling design solutions. Present design concepts and prototypes to clients and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members, providing guidance and feedback. Mentor junior designers and contribute to their professional growth.

Job Description

• Lead the design process for up-fitted vehicles, including sketching, prototyping, and 3D modeling.
• Work closely with engineers and product managers to ensure designs are feasible and cost-effective.
• Generate high-res, photo-realistic renders for sketch underlays, design reviews, and marketing content.
• Bring innovative design solutions to the table, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of our up-fitted vehicles. Stay ahead of industry trends and incorporate new design technologies and materials.
• Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, and sales.
• Work directly with clients to understand their needs and translate them into compelling design solutions. Present design concepts and prototypes to clients and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members, providing guidance and feedback. Mentor junior designers and contribute to their professional growth.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Or Abilities

• Advanced 3D skills and surface modeling experience (Alias preferred).
• Knowledge of a variety of manufacturing constraints (vacuum forming, injection molding, etc.).
• Experience with Photoshop or equivalent software preferred.
• Ability to clearly communicate design concepts through digital and in-person presentations.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Diligent, hardworking, and detail oriented.

Competencies

• Customer Mindset: Exceptional customer experience is the primary focus while performing job duties. Quality is a top priority.
• Adaptability & Innovation: Proactively and willingly adapts to changing business needs and conditions and presents creative and fresh ideas on how to solve problems, gain efficiencies and improve quality.
• Relationship Building: Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of inclusion, cooperation and mutual respect.
• Accountability: Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and strives to exceed requirements.
• Decision Making and Judgment: Makes timely, informed decisions that take into account the facts, goals, constraints and risks.
• Talent Development (Self and Others): Displays an ongoing commitment to learning and self‑improvement; making an effort to acquire new knowledge or skills associated with job responsibilities. Willingness to work with others and coach/teach in an effort to develop and support and other employees’ development.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in industrial design, with a focus on automotive or heavy machinery.
• Proficiency in design software such as Alias, SolidWorks, Rhino, VRed or similar.
• Strong portfolio showcasing innovative designs and successful projects.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing demands.
• Experience in project management and cross‑functional collaboration.

Experience

5+ years of Industrial Design experience required

Want to know more? Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-uG1is1QAQ

Work Environment And Physical Requirements

• Office or production/manufacturing environment depending on assignment.
• May be required to lift 20 lbs. on occasion.
• May be required to walk, stand, sit, bend and/or lift for long periods of time.
• May require vision abilities to validate and enter data on computer.
• Required to be able to visually perceive differences in color.

Disclaimer: This list does not represent all physical demands. Descriptions are representative of those that must be met by employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.