Industrial Designer

Work Mode: Onsite – Kohler, WI

About the role

Support the development of innovative Color, Material, and Finish (CMF) strategies that shape Kohler's products, experiences, and environments. Partner with Design Managers, Design Directors, and cross-functional teams to identify emerging trends, explore material and finish opportunities, and translate design concepts into successful products and experiences. Contribute to CMF storytelling, research, and implementation while gaining a deep understanding of consumer needs, manufacturing processes, and brand strategy. Create innovative concepts, products, services, experiences, and human interfaces through the design process while working cross-functionally with manufacturing, marketing, engineering, cost, and timing to bring a design from concept to final launch.

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating CMF concepts and visualizations that communicate design intent and support business objectives.
• Assist in the development of color palettes, finish standards, material specifications, mood boards, renderings, and presentation materials.
• Collaborate with industrial designers to ensure CMF strategy enhances product form, function, and user experience.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, sourcing, suppliers, and marketing teams to ensure successful implementation of CMF solutions.
• Help to define seasonal, long-term, and category-specific CMF direction to support new product development and future innovation pipelines.
• Drive CMF innovation through exploration of emerging materials, finishes, technologies, sustainability initiatives, and manufacturing processes.
• Design innovative products and take the designs from concept through implementation working collaboratively, cross-functionally to meet deadlines and deliverables, including presenting to convey design intent and concept connected to business need.
• Understand the consumer, especially in bathroom and kitchen settings, so that functional aspects can be considered along with aesthetic needs and cost objectives.
• Maintain awareness of existing products and products offered by competitor businesses.
• Stay informed about trends in luxury home products: color, materials, and processes, including maintaining knowledge of design software and new technologies to effectively convey design concepts.
• Create many diverse ideas in order to inspire and stimulate meaningful products.
• Participate in new product development strategic activities, including generation of new product concepts.
• Determine appropriate approaches and execute design research, product concept drawings, physical modeling, renderings/visualizations, and product presentations.
• Develop and maintain familiarity with materials and processes used in the industry and the manufacture of Kohler plumbing products.
• Demonstrate ability to multi-task, project manage, and communicate verbally and in writing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university or college with an emphasis in product design, industrial design, or related field.
• Typically has up to 4 years of experience in industrial design, interior design, furniture, architecture, consumer research, or related fields.
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suites (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and CAD tools such as Creo/Solidworks.
• Video animation is a plus.
• We will consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this opportunity.

Benefits

Kohler offers day 1 benefits, meaning you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job. The company provides a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $62,250 - $93,350. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location.