Senior Industrial Designer at Peak Design in San Francisco, CA

Image

Peak Design, a cutting-edge design company based in San Francisco, is currently in search of a Senior Industrial Designer to join their team. This role will involve working on a range of innovative products, including Tripods, Mobile, Travel, and Camera Accessories. The Senior Industrial Designer will be responsible for the entire design process, from ideation and concept generation to styling refinement and visualization. They will collaborate closely with design engineers and ensure that products are successfully taken to mass production. The ideal candidate will be proficient in sketching, 3D modeling, rendering, and rapid prototyping, and possess strong organizational skills. Additionally, familiarity with various manufacturing processes and materials will be advantageous. Joining Peak Design means becoming part of a brand that values design excellence, environmental and social impact, transparency, and creativity. By creating exceptional products, Peak Design strives to make a positive difference in the world.

Senior Industrial Designer at Peak Design in San Francisco, CA

Read more about the Job you will love

Job Title and Location

Senior Industrial Designer at Peak Design in San Francisco, CA

Job Description

Design Teams

As a Senior Industrial Designer at Peak Design, the individual will have the opportunity to work with various design teams, including the Tripod, Mobile, Travel, and Camera Accessories product teams. These teams, collectively known as Hard Goods, are responsible for the design, ideation, and development of new products. The Senior Industrial Designer will collaborate closely with design engineers across all teams to ensure the successful launch of innovative and brand-centric products.

Responsibilities

The Senior Industrial Designer will be responsible for various tasks related to the conceptualization, development, and refinement of new products. This includes creating original design concepts through sketching, 3D modeling, rendering, and rapid prototyping. Additionally, the Senior Industrial Designer will define color, material, and finish specifications for new product concepts and coordinate with contract manufacturers to create sample parts and prototypes with the desired CMF (Color, Material, Finish) and design intent. They will also be responsible for conducting product maintenance, such as design scrubbing, redesigning, optimizing, or refreshing existing products.

Conceptualization, Development, and Refinement

An essential aspect of the Senior Industrial Designer’s role is to conceptualize, develop, and refine new, forward-thinking, and brand-centric products. They will contribute to the creation of a shared design language across different product lines, ensuring consistency and coherence in the overall product portfolio. Through sketching, 3D modeling, rendering, and rapid prototyping, the Senior Industrial Designer will bring these concepts to life, allowing for a better understanding of form, function, and aesthetics.

Color, Material, and Finish Specifications

Defining color, material, and finish specifications is a crucial part of the Senior Industrial Designer’s responsibilities. They will work closely with the design and engineering teams to select appropriate materials and finishes that align with the brand’s aesthetic and functional requirements. This includes coordinating with contract manufacturers to create sample parts and prototypes that accurately represent the desired CMF and design intent.

Product Maintenance

Product maintenance is an ongoing task for the Senior Industrial Designer. They will be responsible for design scrubbing, redesigning, optimizing, or refreshing existing products to ensure they meet the brand’s evolving standards. This may involve making improvements to product performance, functionality, or aesthetics based on user feedback and market trends.

Contribution to Brainstorms and Design Reviews

The Senior Industrial Designer will actively contribute to team brainstorms and design reviews. They will bring their expertise and creative insights to these sessions, helping to generate new ideas and provide feedback on design concepts. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineers, marketers, and product managers, will be essential to ensure the successful execution of design projects.

Project Progress Meetings

Participation in project progress meetings is crucial for the Senior Industrial Designer. They will provide updates on design projects, discuss challenges and solutions, and ensure that the project is progressing according to plan. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are key to keeping projects on track and meeting deadlines.

Read more about the Job you will love

Required Skills and Expertise

Visual Communication Skills

Strong visual communication skills are essential for the Senior Industrial Designer. They should be proficient in 2D sketching and rendering, both analog and digital, to effectively communicate their design ideas. The ability to visually capture and synthesize ideas is critical for collaboration with other team members.

Design Presentation and Communication

The Senior Industrial Designer must be skilled in design presentation and communication. They should be able to create compelling presentations that showcase their design decisions, effectively communicating these ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences. Clear and concise communication is necessary to convey design intent and ensure alignment among cross-functional teams.

Ability to Manage Multiple Design Projects

The Senior Industrial Designer should possess the ability to manage multiple design projects simultaneously. They must be able to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and handle deliverables at different levels of fidelity and execution, depending on each project’s timeline and team needs. Strong organizational skills are necessary to ensure efficient project management.

Strong Organizational Skills

Strong organizational skills are important for the Senior Industrial Designer. They must effectively manage both physical and digital assets, including file creation and management using tools like Google Docs and Adobe Creative Cloud. Additionally, maintaining a library of physical material and finish samples is crucial for reference and design decision-making.

Mechanical Aptitude

Having a strong mechanical aptitude is advantageous for the Senior Industrial Designer. Extensive experience with moving parts and mechanisms will allow them to design products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and reliable.

Familiarity with Materials Properties

The Senior Industrial Designer should have familiarity with basic materials properties, including aluminum alloys, steels, plastics, and elastomers. Understanding the characteristics and limitations of different materials will enable the designer to make informed decisions during the design process.

Familiarity with Manufacturing Processes

Having familiarity with various manufacturing processes is essential for the Senior Industrial Designer. They should be knowledgeable about processes such as CNC milling, die casting, injection molding, stamping, extrusion, and assembly. This understanding will inform design decisions and coordination with contract manufacturers.

Familiarity with Surface Finishes

Understanding various surface finishes is beneficial for the Senior Industrial Designer. This includes knowledge of processes such as anodization, powder coating, painting, and plating. A familiarity with different surface finishes allows for the selection of appropriate finishes that enhance the aesthetics and durability of the product.

Familiarity with Phase-Gates Manufacturing System

Familiarity with the phase-gates manufacturing system, including Proto, EVT, DVT, PVT, and Mass Production stages, is advantageous for the Senior Industrial Designer. Understanding the different phases of manufacturing allows for effective project planning, coordination with teams, and ensuring timely product delivery.

About Peak Design

Who They Are

Peak Design is a company that produces radical, meticulously-engineered gear for detail-obsessed individuals. They are known for their backpacks, travel bags, camera gear, and phone accessories. The company prides itself on its design-driven approach and a brand that reflects its passion for design and care for environmental and social impact.

Product Range

Peak Design offers a wide range of products designed to meet the needs of various adventure seekers, photographers, and individuals who value quality and functionality. Their product range includes backpacks, travel bags, camera accessories, and phone accessories. Each product is thoughtfully designed and engineered to deliver a superior user experience.

Brand Philosophy

Peak Design’s brand philosophy is rooted in a commitment to design excellence, environmental consciousness, and transparency. They strive to create products that delight their customers while leaving a positive impact on the world. Peak Design is known for its openness and honesty in all aspects of their business, from explaining product details to addressing important social and environmental issues.

Senior Industrial Designer at Peak Design in San Francisco, CA

Conclusion

The role of a Senior Industrial Designer at Peak Design in San Francisco, CA is both challenging and rewarding. The position requires a strong set of skills and expertise in design, communication, project management, and manufacturing processes. With the opportunity to work with various design teams and contribute to innovative and brand-centric products, the Senior Industrial Designer will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Peak Design’s product catalog. With Peak Design’s commitment to design excellence and environmental consciousness, the Senior Industrial Designer will be a part of a company that is dedicated to creating superior gear and leaving a positive impact on the world.

Read more about the Job you will love