1

Graduate Product Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Are you a recent Graduate Product Engineer looking for an exciting opportunity to launch your ... CAD using auto-desk inventor software. If you are a Production Engineer looking to deploy your ...

$193K/yr

Job Title: Manager, Product Definition, CAD Services & Design Standards Job Code: 42451 Job ... Graduate Degree in Engineering, Design, or related technical field and a minimum of 7 years of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Graduate Product Design information

See salary details

$88K

$189.5K

How much do graduate product design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate product design in the United States is $184,336.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $189,000.00 and $189,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate product designer?

Graduate Product Designers are entry-level professionals who have recently completed a degree in product design or a related field and are starting their careers in designing and developing new products. They work under the guidance of senior designers and collaborate with engineers, marketers, and manufacturers to create functional and visually appealing products. Their responsibilities often include creating sketches, prototypes, and technical drawings, as well as conducting user research and testing. This role is ideal for those looking to gain hands-on experience in the design industry and develop their creative and technical skills.

What kinds of projects does a graduate product designer work on, and how does collaboration typically occur within the team?

As a Graduate Product Designer, you can expect to contribute to a variety of projects, ranging from user research and wireframing to prototyping and final UI design. You'll often collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and senior designers, through regular stand-ups, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions. This collaborative environment not only helps develop your technical and soft skills but also exposes you to the end-to-end product development process. It's common to receive mentorship and feedback, which supports rapid learning and professional growth during the early stages of your career.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate product designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Product Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, user experience (UX), and a relevant degree such as industrial, product, or interaction design. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, SolidWorks, or CAD software is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and strong communication skills help you collaborate effectively and translate user needs into innovative solutions. These skills are essential for producing functional, user-centered products that meet both business goals and customer expectations.

What is the difference between Graduate Product Design vs Junior Product Designer?

AspectGraduate Product DesignJunior Product Designer
QualificationsTypically recent graduates with a degree in design or related fieldUsually 1-2 years of experience in product design
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, learning-focused, often in internship or trainee rolesFull-time, collaborative teams working on real projects
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in design tasks, learning tools and processesContributing to design development, executing tasks under supervision

In summary, Graduate Product Design roles are aimed at individuals starting their careers, focusing on learning and skill development. Junior Product Designers have some experience and take on more responsibility in real project work, often transitioning from graduate roles.

More about Graduate Product Design jobs

What states have the most Graduate Product Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Graduate Product Design jobs include:

Infographic showing various Graduate Product Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $184,336 per year, or $88.6 per hour.

Product Design Engineer Intern

San Mateo, CA • On-site

Skydio, Inc
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

$58/hr

Full-time, Internship

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Skydio is the leading US drone company and the world leader in autonomous flight, the key technology for the future of drones and aerial mobility. The Skydio team combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, best-in-class hardware and software product development, operational excellence, and customer obsession to empower a broader, more diverse audience of drone users, from utility inspectors to first responders, soldiers in battlefield scenarios, and beyond.
About the role:
As a member of the Product Design Team, you will work on meaningful projects that add value to Skydio and our users. You will solve complex, interesting problems and learn from a team of world-class engineers and researchers.
On the job you will:
  • Conquer challenges creatively with a scrappy mindset
  • Design parts for next generation prototypes
  • Chase down the root cause of mission critical issues on existing or developing products
  • Find solutions with engineering design or manufacturing process changes
  • Validate your solutions with hands-on prototyping, testing, and data collection
  • Communicate with a cross functional team of engineers and suppliers around the globe
  • Present your work in design reviews and learn from senior members of our team

We are looking for you to have:
  • Relentless curiosity
  • Ability to leverage rock solid fundamentals to create exceptional designs for complicated products
  • Passion for elegant mechanical design at the highest and lowest levels of detail that will delight customers
  • Experience with 3D CAD. Familiarity with CATIA is highly valued.

Bonus skills for the job (This experience is great to have, but we are also happy to teach you):
  • How to design for a broad array of manufacturing processes including: injection molding, metal casting, CNC machining, sheet metal forming, and composites.
  • How to complete DFM (design-for-manufacturing) with local and foreign suppliers
  • How to design and integrate circuit boards, antennas, and connectors into mechanical assemblies

Some examples of past projects include:
  • Gimbal Isolation: Design, simulate, re-design, DFM, and kick-off tooling for Skydio X10 gimbal vibration isolators
  • Scrappy Wind Tunnel: Exactly what it sounds like. Research what it takes to make a wind tunnel. Build a wind tunnel. Use the wind tunnel to learn about aerodynamic forces on a drone to inform design improvements.
  • Drone Battery Charger: Create prototypes for the battery charger for Skydio 2. Perform user studies, come up with a thermal solution, architect the product, and work on cosmetic surfacing.

Compensation Range: The annual base salary range for this position is $41/hr for Undergrad, $53/hr for Graduate students, and $58 for PhD students*. Compensation will vary based on factors, including skill level, proficiencies, transferable knowledge, and experience. In addition to base salary, Skydio full-time employees are eligible to enroll in our benefit plans and take advantage of a variety of incentives and stipends.
*For some positions the pay may be dependent upon the individual's regional location.
#LI-DK1
At Skydio we believe that diversity drives innovation. We have created a multidisciplinary environment that embraces the power of diverse perspectives to create elegant solutions for complex problems. We are committed to growing our network of people, programs, and resources to nurture an inclusive culture.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local anti-discrimination laws.
For positions located in the United States of America, Skydio, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/