Principal Industrial Designer

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Industrial Designer to lead the design studio in Upington, Northern Cape. This senior role demands a visionary professional capable of guiding product development from ideation to market with a strong emphasis on user-centered design.

You will mentor junior designers, collaborate with engineering and marketing teams, and drive design excellence and commercial impact across diverse industries, including electronics, machinery, or medical devices relevant to the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of professional industrial design experience with a strong portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end industrial design from concept to production.
• Develop user-focused concepts with sketching, rendering and 3D modeling.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and drawings for manufacturing.
• Oversee rapid prototyping and model-making activities.
• Collaborate with engineering to ensure feasibility and manufacturability.
• Mentor junior designers and guide design teams.

Skills

Sketching

3D modeling

Prototyping

Manufacturing knowledge

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Industrial Design

Tools

SolidWorks

Alias

Rhino

KeyShot

Job description

Our client, a renowned product development and innovation firm, is seeking a highly creative and experienced Principal Industrial Designer to lead their design studio in Upington, Northern Cape . This senior role requires a visionary individual with a proven track record in conceptualizing, designing, and bringing to market innovative and user-centered products across various industries, potentially including consumer electronics, machinery, or medical devices relevant to the region's economic activities. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional sketching, 3D modeling, prototyping, and manufacturing process knowledge, coupled with strong leadership and strategic thinking skills. You will guide design projects from ideation through to production, mentor junior designers, and collaborate closely with engineering and marketing teams to ensure design excellence and commercial success. This is a rare opportunity to shape product innovation in a unique setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end industrial design process for new product development, from initial concept generation to final production-ready design.
• Develop innovative and user-focused product concepts through sketching, rendering, and 3D modeling.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and technical drawings for manufacturing.
• Oversee and participate in rapid prototyping and model-making activities.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to ensure designs are technically feasible, manufacturable, and meet performance requirements.
• Work with marketing and product management teams to understand market needs, user insights, and brand strategy.
• Present design concepts and rationale effectively to internal teams, clients, and stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior industrial designers, fostering creativity and technical skill development.
• Stay abreast of emerging design trends, materials, technologies, and manufacturing processes.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the design studio and company innovation efforts.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design or a related design discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in industrial design, with a strong portfolio showcasing a range of successfully launched products.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Alias, Rhino) and rendering tools (e.g., Keyshot).
• Exceptional sketching and visualization skills.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication) and material properties.
• Proven experience in user-centered design methodologies and usability testing.
• Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under pressure.
• Experience in leading design teams and mentoring junior designers.
• A keen eye for aesthetics, form, function, and detail.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive remuneration package, including a substantial base salary and performance-based bonuses, reflecting the seniority and impact of this role. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, a retirement fund, and generous annual leave. We provide significant opportunities for professional growth, including access to cutting-edge technology, industry events, and potential for international collaboration. Working on innovative projects in Upington offers a unique career experience. Join a creative and results-driven team where your design leadership will drive significant product innovation.