What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Toy Designer position at Design Observer?
About The Role
Senior Toy Designer
At Blue Marble, we design innovative toys and play experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Our collaborative team brings ideas to life through thoughtful design, rapid iteration, and a shared passion for creating products that kids love.
We're looking for an experienced Senior Toy Designer to lead the development of innovative toys, play experiences, and consumer products from concept through commercialization. In this role, you'll establish creative direction, influence product strategy, mentor fellow designers, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver engaging products that delight consumers while achieving business objectives.
What You’ll Do
Core Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Innovation
Lead the creative vision, design, and execution of toys, play experiences, and consumer products from concept through production.
Champion innovative product concepts that balance creativity, consumer appeal, manufacturability, cost targets, and commercial success.
Apply user-centered design principles to create engaging, age-appropriate play experiences.
Conduct trend research, competitive analysis, and material exploration to identify new product opportunities and inspire portfolio growth.
Create compelling sketches, renderings, CAD models, prototypes, and presentations that clearly communicate design intent.
Mentor and provide creative guidance to fellow designers through concept development, design reviews, and product execution.
Champion design excellence by promoting best practices, continuous improvement, and a high standard of creative execution.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Product Development, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Licensing, and overseas manufacturing teams to guide products from concept through commercialization.
Present product concepts, design strategies, and recommendations to executive leadership, licensors, retailers, and key stakeholders.
Lead brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and cross-functional collaboration throughout product development.
Drive communication and alignment between internal teams and overseas partners to ensure successful product execution.
Design Process & Product Development
Utilize design thinking methodologies to solve complex product challenges and create engaging consumer experiences.
Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, materials, manufacturing processes, and competitive products.
Translate consumer insights and product testing into meaningful design improvements and future product opportunities.
Own product development from concept approval through tooling, pilot production, and mass production while maintaining design intent.
Create and maintain detailed product documentation, including CAD files, CMF specifications, engineering support materials, and presentation assets.
Evaluate engineering samples, prototypes, and factory samples to ensure product quality, manufacturability, and cost objectives are achieved.
Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to resolve technical challenges while preserving the intended consumer experience.
Technical Expertise & Compliance
Demonstrate expert proficiency in SolidWorks, KeyShot, and Adobe Creative Suite to develop production-ready CAD, renderings, presentations, and technical documentation.
Maintain and evolve CMF libraries, design standards, and specification documentation.
Apply advanced knowledge of plastics, tooling, manufacturing processes, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
Ensure products meet applicable safety regulations, licensor requirements, and international product standards while partnering closely with the Compliance Team.
Intellectual Property
Collaborate with patent attorneys to prepare intellectual property documentation, including claims, illustrations, and supporting materials.
Identify patentable innovations and contribute to the growth of Blue Marble's intellectual property portfolio.
Ensure products comply with licensor brand guidelines and international product marking requirements.
What You Bring
Must-Haves
Extensive experience designing children's toys, play experiences, educational products, licensed products, or consumer products.
Proven success leading products from concept through commercialization.
Exceptional sketching, ideation, visualization, storytelling, and physical prototyping skills.
Advanced knowledge of plastics, tooling, manufacturing processes, and consumer product development.
Expert proficiency in SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Suite, and KeyShot.
Strong understanding of design thinking methodologies and user-centered design practices.
Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to present concepts and product strategies to executive leadership, licensors, retail partners, and cross-functional teams.
Experience mentoring designers and fostering creative growth within a collaborative environment.
A portfolio demonstrating exceptional creativity, technical excellence, and commercially successful products is required.
Nice-to-Haves
Experience leading licensed product development.
Experience with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and AI-assisted design tools such as Vizcom.
Experience with Rhino, Alias, ZBrush, Creo, or other advanced 3D modeling software.
Experience collaborating directly with overseas manufacturing partners throughout product development and commercialization.
Education & Experience
We’re Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Toy Design, Product Design, or a related field.
Minimum 7 years of professional experience designing toys, play experiences, children's products, or consumer products.
Demonstrated success leading products from concept through commercialization.
Experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners and cross-functional product development teams.
Where You’ll Work
Location: Onsite in Ashland, Oregon
Work Style: Collaborative, hands-on, and fast-paced
Travel: less than 10%
Why You’ll Love It Here
Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life)
401(k) to help you plan for the future
Flexible paid time off—we trust you to recharge when you need it
Employee Assistance Program
A creative, collaborative, and yes—playful culture
The chance to help shape iconic and emerging toy brands
Real opportunities to develop within a dynamic, high-growth organization.
A Few More Things
This job description isn’t meant to cover everything—you may jump into other projects as we grow and evolve.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Blue Marble is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.
Ready to build something fun with us?
Apply today and let’s create something amazing together.
Senior Toy Designer
At Blue Marble, we design innovative toys and play experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Our collaborative team brings ideas to life through thoughtful design, rapid iteration, and a shared passion for creating products that kids love.
We're looking for an experienced Senior Toy Designer to lead the development of innovative toys, play experiences, and consumer products from concept through commercialization. In this role, you'll establish creative direction, influence product strategy, mentor fellow designers, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver engaging products that delight consumers while achieving business objectives.
What You’ll Do
Core Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Innovation
Lead the creative vision, design, and execution of toys, play experiences, and consumer products from concept through production.
Champion innovative product concepts that balance creativity, consumer appeal, manufacturability, cost targets, and commercial success.
Apply user-centered design principles to create engaging, age-appropriate play experiences.
Conduct trend research, competitive analysis, and material exploration to identify new product opportunities and inspire portfolio growth.
Create compelling sketches, renderings, CAD models, prototypes, and presentations that clearly communicate design intent.
Mentor and provide creative guidance to fellow designers through concept development, design reviews, and product execution.
Champion design excellence by promoting best practices, continuous improvement, and a high standard of creative execution.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Product Development, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Licensing, and overseas manufacturing teams to guide products from concept through commercialization.
Present product concepts, design strategies, and recommendations to executive leadership, licensors, retailers, and key stakeholders.
Lead brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and cross-functional collaboration throughout product development.
Drive communication and alignment between internal teams and overseas partners to ensure successful product execution.
Design Process & Product Development
Utilize design thinking methodologies to solve complex product challenges and create engaging consumer experiences.
Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, materials, manufacturing processes, and competitive products.
Translate consumer insights and product testing into meaningful design improvements and future product opportunities.
Own product development from concept approval through tooling, pilot production, and mass production while maintaining design intent.
Create and maintain detailed product documentation, including CAD files, CMF specifications, engineering support materials, and presentation assets.
Evaluate engineering samples, prototypes, and factory samples to ensure product quality, manufacturability, and cost objectives are achieved.
Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to resolve technical challenges while preserving the intended consumer experience.
Technical Expertise & Compliance
Demonstrate expert proficiency in SolidWorks, KeyShot, and Adobe Creative Suite to develop production-ready CAD, renderings, presentations, and technical documentation.
Maintain and evolve CMF libraries, design standards, and specification documentation.
Apply advanced knowledge of plastics, tooling, manufacturing processes, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
Ensure products meet applicable safety regulations, licensor requirements, and international product standards while partnering closely with the Compliance Team.
Intellectual Property
Collaborate with patent attorneys to prepare intellectual property documentation, including claims, illustrations, and supporting materials.
Identify patentable innovations and contribute to the growth of Blue Marble's intellectual property portfolio.
Ensure products comply with licensor brand guidelines and international product marking requirements.
What You Bring
Must-Haves
Extensive experience designing children's toys, play experiences, educational products, licensed products, or consumer products.
Proven success leading products from concept through commercialization.
Exceptional sketching, ideation, visualization, storytelling, and physical prototyping skills.
Advanced knowledge of plastics, tooling, manufacturing processes, and consumer product development.
Expert proficiency in SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Suite, and KeyShot.
Strong understanding of design thinking methodologies and user-centered design practices.
Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to present concepts and product strategies to executive leadership, licensors, retail partners, and cross-functional teams.
Experience mentoring designers and fostering creative growth within a collaborative environment.
A portfolio demonstrating exceptional creativity, technical excellence, and commercially successful products is required.
Nice-to-Haves
Experience leading licensed product development.
Experience with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and AI-assisted design tools such as Vizcom.
Experience with Rhino, Alias, ZBrush, Creo, or other advanced 3D modeling software.
Experience collaborating directly with overseas manufacturing partners throughout product development and commercialization.
Education & Experience
We’re Looking For
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Toy Design, Product Design, or a related field.
Minimum 7 years of professional experience designing toys, play experiences, children's products, or consumer products.
Demonstrated success leading products from concept through commercialization.
Experience working directly with overseas manufacturing partners and cross-functional product development teams.
Where You’ll Work
Location: Onsite in Ashland, Oregon
Work Style: Collaborative, hands-on, and fast-paced
Travel: less than 10%
Why You’ll Love It Here
Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life)
401(k) to help you plan for the future
Flexible paid time off—we trust you to recharge when you need it
Employee Assistance Program
A creative, collaborative, and yes—playful culture
The chance to help shape iconic and emerging toy brands
Real opportunities to develop within a dynamic, high-growth organization.
A Few More Things
This job description isn’t meant to cover everything—you may jump into other projects as we grow and evolve.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Blue Marble is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.
Ready to build something fun with us?
Apply today and let’s create something amazing together.