Industrial Designer / Toy Designer (Physical Products) - Contractor

About KiwiCo KiwiCo is an innovative eCommerce company dedicated to sparking creativity and curiosity in kids (and kids at heart!). Through both online and offline materials, we provide fun and engaging ways for kids to explore, create, and learn. Our primary offering is a subscription service where we deliver "whoa awesome," hands‑on projects to kids. We also manage an e‑commerce storefront and a content platform to inspire and educate. We take great pride and ownership in the products we build and in the community of parents and kids we serve. Our office is located in Mountain View, CA within walking distance to the Caltrain station. This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with 3‑4 office days per week (depending on your team) and the remainder of the week working remotely. About the Job We’re looking for a contract designer to join our Product Design team to help us develop compelling products and experiences for kids and families, from the moment of unboxing to fun and engaging play. As a Product Designer with an industrial design or toy design background, you are responsible for ideating and concepting new products that expand the KiwiCo product assortment by leveraging new play patterns, materials and price points to appeal to a large audience. You are an independent go‑getter, with strong mechanical intuition, ability to make things both fun and functional, and a passion for user testing. You are experienced in form‑giving and in applying brand and visual design guidelines to products that capture the imaginations of kids and adults at a glance. In this role, you’ll be responsible for leading your own projects, from conception through to a finished product. This includes brainstorming, prototyping, pitching, refining, testing, preparing product specs and sampling. While you will work on your own projects, you’ll have an opportunity to collaborate and get support from the whole Product Design team. This role may be remote. Role and Responsibilities Experience designing for manufacture : 4+ years designing consumer products, toy experience a plus. Experience with all aspects of the product development process, from conception through to a finished product. Packaging design experience is a plus. You are passionate about the design process and pursue excellence in all aspects. Strong prototyping skills . You’re a maker at heart and love getting creative with your hands. You are proficient with a range of making tools: laser cutting, 3D printing, hand building. Strong visualization skills . You can communicate new product ideas with compelling sketches and renders. You are proficient with 3D modeling in Solidworks, Fusion360, Rhino and others, and rendering software like Keyshot, Blender, or others. Experience with user testing and insights . You are passionate about channeling the voices of the people (kids!) who use our products and identifying ways products should change to better meet their needs and be more engaging. Experience play testing with kids is a plus. Passionate about kids, creativity, and play. You love kids and the power of hands‑on learning and exploration for all ages. You love design that sparks curiosity and engagement. Time management skills and ability to multitask . You will be responsible for prioritizing, organizing, and proactively bringing creative leadership across multiple projects. Effective time management is a must. Collaboration & communication skills . We work closely with our Operations, Sourcing, Editorial, and Marketing teams. You have exceptional communication skills that allow fluid cross‑functional team discussions, projects, and collaborations. A true team player. Always learning . We enthusiastically dive into the unknown. You are someone who loves to learn, grow, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Required Qualifications 4+ years experience designing products from concept to manufacturing Bachelor or Masters degree in relevant field (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design or Product Design) Proficient in 3D modeling software (Solidworks or Fusion360) Proficient in Adobe Suite Proficient in rendering software (Keyshot, Blender) Compensation The starting pay range for this position is between $48/hr and $55/hr. However, the final hourly rate offered may differ based on several factors, including job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and business needs. Benefits In addition to base pay, KiwiCo offers a comprehensive total rewards package, which may include opportunities for an annual bonus, stock options, and a variety of benefits related to health, financial security, and well‑being. Specific details about these benefits will be shared if an offer of employment is extended. At‑Will If hired, the position is “at‑will” and the Company reserves the right to modify any component, plan, or program of the total rewards package at any time, for any reason. Diversity KiwiCo is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at KiwiCo are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected category. #J-18808-Ljbffr