Sr. Industrial Designer - Hybrid

Job Summary

At Outward Hound, we create innovative pet products that strengthen the bond between pets and their people. We seek a Senior Industrial Designer to lead product design and innovation initiatives, shaping the future of our brands. Ideal candidates are deeply passionate about pets, consumer products, and innovation, with a strong background in both hard and soft goods design.

About the role

This role is for a highly experienced industrial designer who can operate independently, influence cross-functional decision-making, and drive products from concept through commercialization. You will combine exceptional design judgment with strong business awareness, manufacturing expertise, and the ability to lead at a systems level.

Responsibilities

• Create exceptional storytelling skills - clearly communicate vision, impact, and rationale to leaders and partners
• Design emotionally engaging, character-driven products with broad consumer appeal, particularly for female-driven purchasing audiences
• Design across multiple pet categories, including both dog and cat products, spanning a portfolio of distinct brands
• Design cohesive products across plush, textiles, molded toys, and hybrid construction products while maintaining strong emotional appeal, functionality, and manufacturable execution
• Understand form, proportion, usability, and emotional product experience
• Have a strong eye for color, print/pattern, and material finish, with the ability to create cohesive palettes and make thoughtful color choices that enhance brand identity and visual appeal
• Distinguish between meaningful innovation and unnecessary complexity
• Create initial tech pack drawings for handoff to soft goods development team and suppliers
• Maintain and develop brand identity via the established visual design language
• Hold consistent high standards of design refinement and detail resolution
• Experience with safety-focused product design for toys and accessories, integrating consumer safety standards and risk mitigation
• Adaptability and flexibility by quickly shifting between projects, evolving business priorities, and cross-functional needs while maintaining high-quality design execution and collaboration across teams
• Influence design outcomes through mentoring other design staff
• Bring a positive, enthusiastic attitude to the team, collaborate well with others, and follow specific direction effectively

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in Industrial or Toy Design required
• 6+ years of Design experience required; experience in Consumer Products preferred

Qualifications

• Exceptional storytelling skills
• Strong ability to create emotionally engaging, character-driven products with broad consumer appeal, particularly for female-driven purchasing audiences
• Design across multiple pet categories, including both dog and cat products, spanning a portfolio of distinct brands
• Design cohesive products across plush, textiles, molded toys, and hybrid construction products while maintaining strong emotional appeal, functionality, and manufacturable execution
• Strong understanding of form, proportion, usability, and emotional product experience
• Strong eye for color, print/pattern, and material finish, with the ability to create cohesive palettes and make thoughtful color choices that enhance brand identity and visual appeal
• Ability to distinguish between meaningful innovation and unnecessary complexity
• Experience with safety-focused product design for toys and accessories, integrating consumer safety standards and risk mitigation
• Adaptability and flexibility by quickly shifting between projects, evolving business priorities, and cross-functional needs while maintaining high-quality design execution and collaboration across teams
• Comfortable handling detailed, repetitive production tasks at times
• Comfortable with CAD modeling (Fusion 360 preferred), 3D printing skillset, knowledge of AI tools used to expedite workflow, Keyshot or equivalent rendering software, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, physical prototyping and model-making
• Personal interest and experience as a pet owner is a plus
• Familiarity with IP/patent process is a plus

Skills

• Design storytelling and visual communication
• Injection molding design principles
• DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly)
• Plastics material selections
• Tooling and manufacturing process knowledge
• Durability and performance-driven product design
• Cost-conscious design and development collaboration
• Prototype evaluation and iterative refinement
• Soft goods construction methods
• Plush and textile product development
• Fabric/material specification and sourcing
• Hybrid soft/hard goods integration
• Trim, embroidery, appliqué, and character detailing
• CAD modeling (Fusion 360 preferred)
• 3D printing skillset
• Knowledge of AI tools used to expedite workflow
• Keyshot or equivalent rendering software
• Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
• Physical prototyping and model-making

Benefits

• Medical / Dental / Vision/Accident HSA
• 401K & 100% Employer Match (Fully vested after 1 year)
• Flexible Paid Time Off (includes vacation and sick time)
• Paid Family Leave
• Basic Term Life and AD&D (Employer Paid)
• Voluntary Term Life and AD&D
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual Bonus Potential