Director, Product Design (Physical Products)

About KiwiCo

KiwiCo is a pioneering eCommerce company dedicated to igniting imagination and curiosity in children and those young at heart. We offer both online and physical experiences that encourage kids to explore, create, and learn. Our key product is a subscription box service delivering engaging, hands-on projects directly to children, complemented by an e-commerce platform and educational content. Our headquarters is in Mountain View, CA, conveniently close to Caltrain, with a hybrid work schedule requiring 3-4 days onsite weekly.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Director of Product Design to lead the creation of innovative STEAM physical products for kids. This position requires strategic leadership paired with practical execution, overseeing product design from concept through manufacturing. Reporting directly to the Chief Product and Merchandising Officer, this role demands strong team leadership, superior quality standards, and a passion for the customer experience. The role is mostly office-based, with 4 days per week in Mountain View.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the strategy for translating the KiwiCo brand into physical subscription product lines.
• Design innovative product concepts that delight customers and operate within a compact packaging constraint (3”x7”x10”).
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of junior and mid-level product designers, fostering alignment and excellence.
• Set product vision and manage timelines for multiple projects efficiently.
• Ensure top-notch quality, manufacturability, safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness of designed products, coordinating with suppliers to uphold manufacturing standards.
• Develop scalable processes and systems to continuously improve design, prototyping, and production operations.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including sourcing, editorial, graphic design, and marketing in an iterative, cooperative environment.
• Liaise with overseas suppliers and manufacturers to resolve design issues, optimize tooling, and guarantee production quality.
• Drive prototyping effectiveness from initial concepts to production-ready models.

Required Qualifications

• Over 10 years of experience in designing and delivering physical consumer products, focusing on industrial design and mechanical development, with deep expertise in 3D CAD tools like SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or Creo.
• Strong knowledge of design for manufacturing, assembly, and cost principles, with hands-on experience in plastics (injection molding), mechanical systems (gears, linkages, springs), and manufacturing processes such as tooling and fabrication.
• Experience partnering directly with manufacturers for tooling development, sample review, and production iteration.
• Proficient in prototyping techniques including 3D printing, laser cutting, and shop fabrication, capable of evaluating material tolerances, durability, and child safety compliance.
• A genuine passion for children’s creativity and early development, seeking to inspire fun and educational experiences.
• Proven innovation skills, balancing business goals with user-centered designs, and the ability to think outside the box while understanding customer perspectives.
• A strategic yet detail-oriented mindset with experience in communicating product vision and providing constructive product feedback.
• Leadership experience building and guiding high-performing product design teams through complete product lifecycles and multiple launches, managing resources against deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills for articulating product decisions to business stakeholders across marketing, inventory, editorial, design, and eCommerce functions.
• Comfort thriving in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience designing toys or interactive products with moving parts, understanding safety and compliance standards for children's products, and knowledge of modular or platform-based systems.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual starting salary for this role ranges from $190,000 to $205,000, with the final offer depending on qualifications, experience, and market factors. KiwiCo offers an extensive total rewards program including potential bonuses, stock options, and comprehensive benefits focused on health, financial security, and well-being. Employment is at-will, and the company reserves the right to modify compensation and benefits at any time.

Diversity & Inclusion

KiwiCo is dedicated to fostering a diverse workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employment considerations are made regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.