Optical Design Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Description

Do you see opportunities for better design everywhere you look? Are you energized by solving problems, refining details, and improving how products look, feel, and function?

Vortex Optics is seeking a creative and motivated Industrial Designer to support the development of innovative products within our expanding consumer sports optics division. As part of the New Product Development team, you will apply sketching, 3D modeling, and visualization capabilities to translate concepts into high-quality, user-centered designs.

This position works cross-functionally with Engineering, Sales, and Marketing to deliver functional, manufacturable, and visually compelling solutions across a diverse product portfolio, including red dots, riflescopes, binoculars, rangefinders, spotting scopes, tripods, and related accessories.

What You'll Be Doing

• Product conceptualization - Support direction-setting for new product concepts and execute tasks including research, ideation, model creation, and design presentations.
• Define product design parameters - Establish form, geometry, aesthetics, mechanical considerations, fit, function, and user interface requirements while meeting targets for cost, manufacturability, and schedule.
• Integrate customer insights - Apply customer feedback, market research, and design intuition to develop products optimized for user adoption.
• Maintain segment expertise - Sustain strong working knowledge of all products within the optics segment.
• Develop 2D and 3D design concepts - Produce high-quality sketches, renderings, and 3D models to communicate and refine design intent.
• Create design specifications - Prepare dimensional, color, material, and finish specifications in collaboration with Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, and external partners.
• Design product artwork - Work with Marketing and Engineering to develop new artwork or update existing artwork to support product branding and functionality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design
• Proficiency across the product development process, including user research, ideation, sketching, concept development, and design refinement.
• Strong 2D and 3D CAD modeling skills, including solid and surface modeling. (SolidWorks preferred)
• Proficient in KeyShot and Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to produce high-quality renders and other presentation-ready design assets.
• Excellent sketching, visualization, and graphic communication skills.
• Ability to communicate design concepts clearly through visual and verbal presentations.
• Strong understanding of mechanical principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of human factors, ergonomics, and user-centered design principles.
• Strong prototyping, model-making, and general fabrication skills.
• Willingness to travel for research, product development, supplier collaboration, and market immersion.
• Working knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods, and emerging technologies relevant to new product development.
• Experience bringing consumer products from concept through production.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• 2-5 years of professional industrial design experience 
• Experience designing or developing soft goods and sewn products
• Knowledge of CNC machining, injection molding, extrusion, and related manufacturing processes
• Experience collaborating with international manufacturers 

When you join Team Vortex, you'll enjoy:

• Great health, dental and vision insurance
• Employee Ownership Opportunities 
• Paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• 401(k), life insurance and short- and long-term disability
• Various onsite amenities including a fitness center, a nature preserve with walking trails and dog friendly work areas
• Neighboring daycare facility
• Casual and flexible work environment
• Employee discounts on industry leading products

What's it like to join Team Vortex?

From the production floor to the repair room, from consumer sales to new product development, we're a growing team of makers and doers, working together to give our customers an experience they'll never forget. Our employees thrive in situations that require demonstrating our core values:

• About You
• Customer is King
• Willingness to Shovel Snow
• Be the Buffalo

Vortex Optics' new product development team is united by the drive to delivery top quality products our customers will use for a lifetime. We stress over the details and thrive by delivering unique solutions the market has never seen. Each team member enjoys the responsibility they are instilled with and look forward to putting their stamp on our industry we love. Our pride shines through with every product and we are excited to usher in new individuals.

*Must already be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer.

*This is a full-time, onsite position based in Barneveld, WI with relocation assistance available.

*A cover letter is required when submitting your application.

*Applications will be accepted until July 2nd, 2026. Interviews will not begin until early July.