Senior Industrial Designer - Hybrid

About Outward Hound

Outward Hound develops innovative, purposeful pet products that deepen the connection between pets and their owners. Our range includes playful, well-designed items combining functionality and personality to delight consumers daily.

Role Summary

We seek an experienced Senior Industrial Designer to lead product design and innovation efforts across multiple pet product lines. The ideal candidate passionately combines creativity and business insight to drive products from concept to market success, working both independently and collaboratively across teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate design vision and decisions effectively to leaders and collaborators.
• Create emotionally compelling, character-driven designs appealing especially to female buyers.
• Design products covering dogs and cats with a portfolio spanning plush, textiles, molded toys, and hybrid constructions.
• Ensure product designs balance emotional appeal, usability, and production feasibility.
• Develop cohesive color, print, and material schemes aligned with brand identities.
• Innovate meaningfully while avoiding unnecessary complexities.
• Produce initial technical drawings for handoff to soft goods development teams and suppliers.
• Maintain and evolve brand visual language consistently.
• Apply consumer safety standards throughout design; collaborate with Product Integrity to guarantee safety and durability.
• Adapt rapidly to shifting projects and priorities, maintaining attention to detail and high-quality results.
• Drive products independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced setting.
• Proactively identify risks and propose solutions with clear rationales.
• Manage priorities to deliver projects on schedule with strong communication.
• Lead ideation with executives focusing on innovative breakthroughs and future market opportunities.
• Identify emerging consumer needs and whitespace within categories to fuel long-term portfolio growth.
• Serve as a key creative contributor, generating new product and system concepts continuously.
• Mentor junior design staff to influence design quality and outcomes.
• Bring a positive, collaborative attitude and follow directions effectively.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Excellence in design storytelling and visual communication.
• Proficiency in injection molding design principles.
• Expertise in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Knowledgeable in plastics material selection and tooling processes.
• Experience in durability-focused product design balancing cost and performance.
• Skills in prototype evaluation and iterative development.
• Familiarity with soft goods construction, plush and textile development, and hybrid product integration.
• Experience specifying fabrics/material sourcing, and trim detailing including embroidery and appliqué.
• CAD modeling skills, ideally Fusion 360, with 3D printing and rapid prototyping experience.
• Proficiency in rendering software like Keyshot and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to use AI tools to expedite workflows.
• Comfort with physical prototyping and model creation.
• Personal experience with pet ownership is a plus.
• Understanding of intellectual property and patent processes is advantageous.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Toy Design is mandatory. Candidates must have at least 6 years of professional design experience, preferably within consumer product sectors.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary ranges from $105,000 to $125,000 annually based on experience.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and accident insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• 401(k) plan with full employer match after one year.
• Flexible paid time off covering vacation and sick leaves.
• Paid family leave.
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance options.
• Pet insurance coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Potential for an annual performance bonus.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Outward Hound is committed to equal employment opportunities, fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We do not discriminate on any protected status basis.