Senior Industrial Designer
2 days ago
Sheffield
Role purpose Lead industrial design for priority SKUs and own the documentation system so engineering intent becomes simple, safe and delightful user actions. Embed design excellence and documentation discipline from early concept through engineering change orders so every product ships with ontime, error-free artefacts that reduce support load and lift customer outcomes. What success looks like • Portfolio outcomes: Hero SKUs deliver improved NPS and reduced assembly time verified in build tests; documentation defects are near zero at launch., • Design system: A reusable library (components, iconography, patterns, CMF guides) is live, versioned and adopted across teams., • Operations rhythm: A storyboard → illustrate → build-test → approve → publish pipeline is operating with measured cycle time and quality gates., • Set and run the ID cadence: concept crits, design reviews, DFM/DFA checkpoints, ECO readiness and pre-build briefings., • Convert CAD and test insights into buildable solutions; close loops with engineers within 24–72 hours depending on change class., • Direct the documentation squad (designers/illustrators) on storyboards, sequence logic, call-outs, tooling and safety notes; own final pagination and release., • Maintain a single source of truth: version artefacts by part/SKU/market; publish press-ready and digital assets ahead of cut-offs., • Industrial design leadership: Own ID for assigned SKUs from problem framing and concept generation to validation, CMF, packaging touchpoints and handover., • DFX ownership: Drive DFM/DFA decisions with ME/EE; simplify parts, fasteners and sequences to reduce assembly time and error., • Documentation system: Architect and enforce the documentation pipeline, standards and templates across brands/SKUs/markets., • ECO and version control: Control artwork/versioning across part numbers, revisions, variants and languages; ensure compliance markings are correct., • Build validation: Prove instructions in real builds; fix ambiguous steps, orientation, torque/tools and safety call-outs before release., • Cross-functional leadership: Orchestrate inputs with engineering, QA/test, prototype shop, supply/manufacturing, warranty/support and creative brand checks., • Mentoring and uplift: Coach junior designers/illustrators; run crits and skills sessions; raise the bar on information design and file hygiene., • Owns: Concept direction within agreed product strategy, storyboard/sequence logic, illustration style within brand guardrails, pagination and release readiness., • Recommends: Packaging inserts, labels, tool/fastener choices, step re-ordering, part simplification and tolerance changes backed by test data., • Internal: ME/EE engineers, chief of product, QA/test, prototype shop, supply/manufacturing, warranty/support, creative., • Daily: Stand-ups with UK office lead and engineers; change log updates; active work on storyboards/illustrations/prototypes., • Weekly: R&D documentation/design reviews; incorporate QA/warranty feedback; prep assets for gate readiness., • Fortnightly: Triage support insights; refresh libraries and pattern inventory; mentor sessions. • Professional written and spoken English with plain-language mastery for global audiences. Must-have experience • 7–10+ years in industrial design with shipped consumer products; proven ownership from concept to launch., • Demonstrated leadership inside R&D with engineers (ME/EE), QA/test and supply; able to influence DFM/DFA decisions., • Hands-on validation in verification/pilot builds observing user behaviour; track record reducing support tickets tied to assembly or instructions. Tools and credentials Role expectations