Lead Industrial Designer in San Francisco

Role: Lead Industrial Designer, Full Time Position
Location: San Francisco, California

We are a rapidly growing and innovative company in the design manufacturing space seeking a Lead Product Designer to drive the vision and execution of our digital and graphic design strategy. We are pioneers in digital manufacturing and sustainability, creating high-quality products through cutting-edge technology. As a leader in this space, we need a talented designer to shape the future of our digital experiences across multiple platforms.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Lead Industrial Designer who will lead the enhancement and growth of a modular design system—an adaptable, “Lego-like” network of interchangeable components that enables the creation of a wide variety of lighting and home decor products. You will oversee the full design lifecycle, from user and market research to concept development, prototyping, and production. Your goal will be to ensure the system is aesthetically pleasing, versatile, highly functional, and optimized for manufacturability.

Compensation:

• $180-200k + Equity

Benefits:

• Full coverage for medical, dental, and vision.
• 401K with company matching.
• 3.5 weeks of annual PTO plus federal holidays.
• Office located in SoMa neighborhood, with in-office work required 3-4 days per week.
• Access to 3D printers for your personal projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enhance the Design System: Evolve and expand a versatile library of modular components, designed to create a wide range of lighting and furniture products.
• Define Product Specifications: Develop and enforce clear product requirements and constraints that guide teams in producing high-quality, functional designs.
• Conduct Market and User Insights: Explore trends in the home decor sector and engage with users through focus groups and research to better understand their preferences and needs. Use these insights to refine new features and improve assembly processes.
• Optimize for Digital Manufacturing: Improve and adapt components for digital fabrication, leveraging unique production capabilities. Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to test, optimize, and validate modular concepts for durability, flexibility, manufacturability, and visual appeal.
• Establish Design Guidelines: Define key design and quality standards—including material choices, proportions, and connection methods—to ensure ease of assembly and scalability across various product lines.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 7+ years in industrial design, product development, or systems design, with a preference for experience in modular or component-based design.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, particularly 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding. Proficiency in 3D modeling and design software (e.g., SolidWorks, Rhino, Adobe Suite) with a proven ability to create elegant, functional designs.
• Portfolio: A diverse portfolio demonstrating expertise in system design for physical products, particularly within the furniture or consumer-facing industries.
• Design Approach: Expertise in user-centered design, research-driven methodologies, and data-backed decision-making.
• Leadership: A forward-thinking leader who thrives in ambiguous situations, champions system-wide innovation, and excels in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Communication: Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly convey design concepts and decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Passion: A dedication to sustainable design practices and a vision for leveraging digital innovation to transform manufacturing.