Toy Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

As the Senior Toy Designer for Collectibles, you will lead the design and development of innovative toy lines for our market-leading brands. This role requires an expert balance of creative vision and strategic alignment to translate consumer insights into compelling, collectible products. You will champion the entire design process from initial sketching and ideation to technical problem-solving and final production. Collaboration is key: you will partner cross-functionally with brand management, packaging, and global manufacturing teams to deliver user-centric play experiences while strictly adhering to cost, quality, and timeline requirements. Come join one of the world's biggest toy-making companies and help us shape the future of play!

What You Will Do:

• Lead the end-to-end product design lifecycle—from initial ideation, consumer research, and concept generation to prototype execution and final user testing
• Create innovative systems of play centered around compatibility and usability, designing compelling concepts for both new and existing collectible toy lines
• Partner cross-functionally with brand management, engineering, packaging, and licensors to ensure designs meet brand standards, licensor requirements, and overarching strategic goals
• Deliver precise, clear, and complete product turnover specifications and control drawings, ensuring they are fully understood by global factory partners
• Review and document specification changes, submit designs for licensor approval, and provide clear feedback on illustrative turns, sculpts, paint masters, and development samples
• Present and communicate new toy concepts successfully to internal leadership and external licensor teams during brainstorming and brand meetings
• Drive high-quality design standards and work closely with management to resolve development bottlenecks, ensuring products meet target costs, schedules, and strict QA/QC requirements
• Perform other duties as assigned     

Supervisor Responsibilities: No

What We Are Looking For:

• 5+ years of product design experience in the toy industry with a proven track record across both hard goods (action figures, plastics, playsets) and soft goods (plush, textiles)

• 1+ years of experience collaborating with overseas manufacturing partners (Asia preferred), with a strong understanding of multiple manufacturing processes and materials

• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and expertise in control drawings and rendered illustration concepts

• Demonstrated ability to proactively research consumer market trends, innovations, and the competitive toy landscape to inform design direction

• Exceptional project management, visual, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to build consensus across cross-functional departments

• A proactive problem-solver with a highly developed sense of aesthetics who can adapt to shifting priorities and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Standard computer proficiency in Microsoft Office and G-Suite

Nice To Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Toy Design, Industrial Design, Industrial Engineering, or a related field is a plus

• Knowledge of 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering software (such as ZBrush, Rhino, or Fusion 360)

• Prior experience in the toy, baby, costume, or pet industries

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $86,4000.00 - 105,420.00 / Yr. The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, so the salary range may not apply to other states.  

Our benefits package includes basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children, employee basic life and AD&D insurance, a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post-tax deferrals, short and long-term disability, and tuition reimbursement.   

Our work environment provides a flexible work schedule that includes Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave.  Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects. 

Reasonable Accommodations   

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing toy company in the industry. Connect with us today, and let's shape the future of play together! 

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows™, Pokémon™, Hello Kitty™, Star Wars™, Five Nights at Freddy’s™, Disney™, BumBumz™, and BLDR™. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Recruitment Safety 

Please be wary of unsolicited communications from individuals or websites you are not familiar with, or any communications requesting sensitive personal data or information. All official Jazwares employment information will come from our company email ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request any monetary payments at any point during its hiring process. If you have any questions about any unsolicited communications, you can reach out to jazlegal@jazwares.com. We look forward to you experiencing a safe and enjoyable application process at Jazwares!