Industrial Designer - FAO Schwarz

Industrial Designer – FAO Schwarz

We are in the process of rebuilding and expanding the FAO Schwartz product line and are looking for Industrial Designers to join our team.

Founded on 1862, FAO Schwartz is one of the oldest brands in the United States. The company’s success has come from creating unique, innovative toys and experiences.

To meet these new strategic product needs FAO Schwartz is assembling a team, spanning research, e-commerce, product development, design and senior management. The team is located the new, purpose built, Research and Development campus in Irvine, California.

The focus of this position will be toys and experiences for girls. The majority of these products will be hard goods but will also include some soft goods. We are looking for detail driven designers who have a strong aesthetic sensibility, understand category trends, can build complete product experiences, can push boundaries, embrace wonder, the unusual and have the drive and skillset to take their ideas from concept through to production.

You will enjoy all the benefits of being part of a talented in-house design team. The current designers are ex-agency, so there’s that intimate studio feel. The position requires each designer to work on a wide variety of products, across several categories. The new Designer will have the opportunity to be an influential part in the major redevelopment of a nationally recognized brand. This is not a position where new designers are relegated to developing a small part of a product. Each designer is given a tremendous amount of responsibility and the chance to push through their complete vision. We are therefore looking for driven people with the ability to take the initiative.

Applicants must submit a portfolio as either a PDF or a link to a website as part of their application. All applications need to be in by 22st November 2021

Responsibilities & Priorities

• The strategic evolution of products and brands.
• Ability to lead brainstorming sessions.
• Strong CAD development.
• An eye for creating copy and beautiful compelling renderings and presentations.
• Collaboration with teams across multiple creative and business disciplines.
• Manage manufacturing partners.

Core Competencies & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Product/Industrial Design.
• Strong skills in Rhino and/or SolidWorks.
• Strong skills in rendering.
• Strong skills in Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Has a core understanding in mass production manufacturing techniques.
• Initiative and drive to manage your own projects.
• Works well in a team.
• Good knowledge of design trends.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent critical thinker and problem solver.

MerchSource LLC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. MerchSource strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, interns, or any other covered persons, on the basis of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin including ancestry, ethnicity, sex including pregnancy, gender identity, and transgender status, gender, physical or mental disability, including gender dysphoria and similar gender-related conditions, alienage or citizenship status, military status, including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, unemployment status, caregiver status, credit history, salary history, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state and local laws, with respect to hiring, promotion, discipline, firing, compensation, benefits, or other terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.