Design Director Jobs in East Rutherford, NJ (NOW HIRING)

We believe travel makes us better. Launched in 2016 with one perfectly designed carry-on, we now offer a range of luggage and travel essentials for every journey. Together we create, innovate, and embark on this journey as a community of travelers, helping to make travel more seamless for everyone.

We are hiring an Associate Design Director, Luggage, to join our Design team. This position reports to the Senior Director, Design and takes Away further by defining the future of our core luggage category through innovative industrial design, material R&D, and forward-thinking product strategy.

In this role, you will lead the end-to-end execution of luggage design, ensuring every product delivers on Away’s commitment to elevated travel experiences, functional performance, and our iconic brand aesthetic. You will drive category innovation by exploring new construction methods and sustainable materials, while modernizing our internal processes by integrating AI-enabled design tools and workflow automation.

• You’ll execute and contribute to the design and innovation strategy for core luggage product lines, evolving existing platforms while identifying whitespace opportunities for future growth

• You’ll manage the luggage design strategy in executing seasonal creative direction and long-term category goals, in close alignment with the VP and Senior Design leadership

• You’ll translate consumer insights, travel behaviors, and market trends into scalable, production-ready design systems

• You’ll champion elevated product concepts, new functionalities, and disruptive design thinking within the team to push forward product innovation

• You’ll build, manage, and mentor a high-performing design team, providing tactical creative direction and cultivating a culture of technical excellence

• You’ll deliver against a multi-year innovation roadmap through focused industrial design exploration, material R&D, construction innovation, and manufacturing collaboration

• You’ll evaluate and implement new materials, finishes, and component systems that support performance, durability, sustainability, and brand differentiation

• You’ll partner closely with Product Development and Engineering teams to bridge the gap between design intent, technical feasibility, and manufacturing execution

• You’ll manage and continuously improve material libraries, innovation references, prototyping systems, and AI-assisted design workflows to support rapid concept iteration

• You’ll identify and execute opportunities to improve weight optimization, repairability, and sustainability, enhancing the overall customer experience

• You’ll manage the end-to-end luggage design process from concept development and CAD execution through prototyping, sampling, approvals, and commercialization

• You’ll operationalize scalable workflows, documentation standards, and communication protocols that improve clarity and speed-to-market across Design, PD, and overseas manufacturing partners

• You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Brand, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure design integrity and category health throughout production

• You’ll participate in global travel and supplier engagement to drive innovation, sourcing, manufacturing alignment, and competitive research

• You have at least 7 years of industrial design experience (luggage, technical soft goods, or hard goods) with a proven track record of supervising/mentoring design talent and supporting successful product launches

• You possess an advanced understanding of complex product construction, material R&D, and manufacturing processes, with an interest or experience in leveraging emerging technologies (like AI tools) to optimize team workflows

• You’re highly proficient in Fusion 360, KeyShot, and Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to guide and upskill direct reports in these tools

• You’re exceptional sketching and 3D visualization skills, with the ability to clearly translate complex design concepts to cross-functional partners and present project directions to senior leadership

• You have a strong ability to balance creative ambition with commercial viability and engineering constraints, ensuring your team’s outputs align with category health and business metrics

• You have direct experience working closely with overseas factories and suppliers, ensuring design intent and quality standards are maintained from prototyping through production

• You are genuinely motivated by mentoring designers and transforming the travel experience through thoughtful, functional, and innovative design

• You can to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%) to collaborate with global manufacturing partners and attend industry events

• You’re comfortable working in a design studio setting, which includes extended periods of stationary work at a computer and hands-on interaction with physical prototypes, material samples, and luggage hardware

• You’re creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand

• You’re agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment

• You’re passionate about transforming travel for all (but that’s a given!)

Excited to join the team, but not sure you meet all of the qualifications? Please apply, we’d still love to hear from you.

• We’re travelers. Travel is about the journey - the transformative experiences and the growth each trip offers. All employees are encouraged to take time to get away through our variety of time away from work offerings. 

• We’re driven. The work we do matters and collectively drives impact. No matter the job title, everyone at Away is a meaningful contributor in unlocking our ever growing potential.

• We’re supportive. We value the entirety of your life's journey, not just the milestones. You'll find an environment that celebrates balance, understanding that your personal passions and commitments outside of work, are threads of the same fabric that makes you unique.

Our total rewards are inclusive of both compensation and benefits. What we offer within a salary range is dependent on a number of factors, including scope and qualifications for the role, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to other Away employees. Salary and benefit offerings are reviewed during phone screenings to ensure alignment.

• Compensation: $150,000.00-$160,000.00 annually

• This role is eligible to participate in Away’s Annual Company Performance Incentive Bonus Plan, the terms of which are determined at the discretion of the company

• Equity Grant: commensurate with level determined at the discretion of the company

• Benefits Overview:

  • Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings

  • Invest in your future by participating in our 401(k) (with a company match!)

  • Find balance through our many paid time off programs (vacation, wellbeing, holidays, summer Fridays, and compassion leave - just to name a few!)

  • Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways

  • Give back through company-sponsored volunteer and charitable opportunities

This is an office-based position that works from our Soho, NYC office four days a week. Our working hours are 9am-6pm et, but we embrace a common-sense approach to flexibility in the workplace. It’s about being present, engaged, and balancing work with real-life needs.

As a company that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Away seeks individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this opportunity. We’re creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Our customers are global and diverse, so we’re building a team that is too. Through initiatives like our Employee Resource Groups, anti-racism training, and bias prevention initiatives, we’re building the cultural foundation that gives people the emotional and physical space to bring their authentic selves to work.

EEOC Statement: 

Away is dedicated to hiring a diverse workplace that celebrates an inclusive culture and a sense of belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability. 

Away is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talent@awaytravel.com.

Compensation Range: $150K - $160K