Toy Designer

About the Job

Job Overview:

We're searching for passionate, hands-on Toy Designers who thrive in a creative, fast-paced environment.

As a Toy Designer, you'll play a key role in concepting, designing, and developing innovative toys and brands that bring joy to kids and collectors alike. Working alongside the VP of product development and the department team, you'll help bring playful, imaginative, and trend-forward products to life-from initial sketches to final production.

This role is perfect for a highly creative and detail-oriented designer with a strong eye for aesthetics, a love for storytelling, and a passion for play. If you're eager to grow, push creative boundaries, and see your ideas turn into real-world toys, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities:

Concept & Ideation:

• Drive revenue-generating product innovation by identifying market gaps and developing commercially viable product that excites consumers.
• Develop original toy concepts that align with our brand vision and market trends.
• Research industry trends, pop culture, and consumer insights to fuel new ideas.
• Brainstorm and collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate fresh, innovative product ideas.

Design & Product Development:

• Create concept sketches, renderings, 3D models, and prototypes to bring toy ideas to life.
• Work on all phases of toy design, from initial ideation to final production.
• Develop drawings, color studies, and specifications to provide clear direction for manufacturing.
• Collaborate with product development teams to refine designs for production feasibility.

Manufacturing & Engineering Support:

• Assist in communicating design specifications and files to overseas manufacturing partners.
• Support engineering teams in solving design and production challenges.
• Ensure that all final products maintain creative integrity, play value, and quality standards.

Project & Timeline Coordination:

• Work with team leads to meet project milestones, deadlines, and production schedules.
• Maintain organized design files, specifications, and revision notes for each project.
• Provide updates and collaborate with internal teams on product development progress.

Brand & Storytelling:

• Contribute to packaging, branding, and storytelling elements to enhance product presentation.
• Develop compelling visual assets and presentations for internal pitches and retailer meetings.
• Ensure every toy aligns with the company's playful, imaginative, and high-quality design standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in toy design, industrial design, or a related creative field.
• BA or BS in Toy Design, Industrial Design, or a related discipline.
• Strong sketching, rendering, and visual communication skills using Sketchbook Pro, Photoshop, or similar.
• Experience with 3D modeling software (Rhino, SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar).
• Strong knowledge of toy industry trends, leading brands, and emerging play patterns.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with multiple projects at once.
• Passion for toys, play, and storytelling!
• Experience working with factories, production teams, and manufacturing partners.
• Hands-on prototyping skills (3D printing, model-making, or similar).
• Familiarity with toy safety regulations and materials.
• Experience developing products in plush, action figures, collectibles, or novelty toys.

Schylling offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical and dental with an 80% company contribution, vision insurance, company-paid life and disability insurance, PTO and 10 paid holidays, product discount, and a 401(k) with company match.

The base salary range for this position is $63,000 to $92,000. Offered base compensation within this range will be determined based on a candidate's qualifications, experience, geographic location and other factors relevant to the scope and responsibilities of this role.

About the Company

At Schylling, we are on a mission to create timeless moments of joy, laughter, and imagination for kids of all ages. Since 1975, our toys have been designed to spark creativity and deliver smiles, both delightful playthings from years past and innovative new items with a nostalgic appeal. We offer iconic brands such as NeeDoh®, LAVA® Lamp, Big Wheel®, Schylling hand puppets, Sea-Monkeys® and a variety of other toys that satisfy curiosity, encourage discovery, and help people find their best mellow and chill.