Principal Graphic Designer

At CandleScience, our visuals tell stories—sparking creativity, fueling small businesses, and bringing fragrance to life in ways words alone can’t. As our Principal Graphic Designer, you’ll be the creative heartbeat of our brand’s look and feel, crafting beautiful, thoughtful, and functional designs that resonate with makers and fragrance lovers alike.

In this hands-on role, you’ll partner with leaders across marketing, product, and content to shape campaigns, launches, and creative assets. From photos and videos to graphics and brand touchpoints, you’ll ensure every piece reflects our identity and resonates with audiences—from first-time hobbyists to seasoned commercial makers.

Creative Direction & Design

• Designs compelling assets for campaigns, product launches, packaging, web, social media, email, and print.
• Evolves and maintains the CandleScience visual brand identity, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints.
• Translates marketing and product strategies into visuals that inspire and inform our customers.

Photo & Video Production Support

• Plans and coordinates photo and video shoots—including concept development, shot lists, styling, and on-set creative direction.
• Partners with photographers, videographers, and stylists to ensure deliverables align with brand goals and marketing needs.

Collaboration & Alignment

• Works closely with marketing, product, content, and e-commerce teams to create cohesive, multi-channel creative campaigns.
• Participates in brainstorming sessions, contributing ideas for visuals that enhance storytelling and engagement.
• Adapts creative assets for various formats and platforms while maintaining brand consistency.

Quality & Process

• Reviews all creative deliverables for accuracy, quality, and alignment to brand standards before release.
• Manages timelines and project priorities to ensure deadlines are met without compromising quality.
• Identifies opportunities to improve design workflows and asset organization for greater efficiency.

• 5 years of professional graphic design experience, preferably in a marketing or brand environment
• Strong portfolio demonstrating a range of digital, print, and brand design work.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects) and related tools
• Experience with photo and/or video shoot planning and creative direction
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills
• Experience in lifestyle, crafting, DIY, or e-commerce brands is a plus

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a related field preferred.

Equivalent professional experience considered.

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times. 

Ability to climb and work on a ladder as needed. 

This is a hybrid role based in the Raleigh-Durham area. Team members typically work 2–3 days per week onsite, with the remaining time remote. The position involves significant desk time for research, writing, and collaboration. You’ll engage in regular team meetings, video calls, and in-person creative sessions to build and refine content strategies.

The above statements reflect the usual responsibilities and principal functions of the position and shall not be construed as a complete description of all of the work requirements that may be inherent or added to the position.

The Salary Range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000.

To Apply: Please submit your resume along with a short Cover Letter telling us why you would be a good fit for this position. 

Benefits:

Big company benefits with small company culture! We provide comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with low deductibles. All employees receive employer match for retirement contributions of up to 3% of annual earnings. We have liberal vacation policies and offer additional benefits including technology stipends, gym memberships, and company-paid life insurance.

• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off (Vacation & Sick)
• Referral program
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

About Us:

CandleScience develops and sells candle and soap making supplies. Our customers vary in size from candle and soap entrepreneurs to seasonal hobbyists. We began in 2003 as a two-person startup, and have become the market leader in the industry.

We work hard to develop natural and safe products that push the boundaries of candle and soap making. Our success is a result of our focus on web development, product development, and operations.

For More About Us:

www.candlescience.com/about

Igniting Growth with CandleScience | https://partners.wsj.com/ups/igniting-growth-candl...

First Candles, Now Soap. Durham’s CandleScience Expands in DIY Market | https://wraltechwire.com/2016/06/02/durham-candles...

CandleScience and the Science of Candle Making | https://www.avery.com/blog/customer-spotlight-candlescience/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/candlescience

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@candlescience

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/candlescience

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000