Industrial Designer

Suncast Corporation is the leading US-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-quality resin products for the home and industrial markets. A privately held company headquartered in Western Chicago, Illinois, Suncast prides itself on 35 years of innovation and sustainability across a wide range of product categories with materials proudly sourced in the USA. Everything we do is supported by the strength and ingenuity of American workers and we are committed to helping families across the country make the most of their unique spaces. We utilize state-of-the-art machinery and innovative manufacturing techniques to consistently engineer products of the highest possible quality.

The Industrial Designer is a key member of the Suncast innovation team, responsible for developing and refining product concepts into functional CAD designs. This role translates ideas into manufacturable solutions by creating sketches, renderings, and prototypes, while collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, tooling, and packaging teams to ensure design feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and readiness for final development.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct competitive product analysis, including materials, design, and performance testing.
• Create control drawings using CAD to support concept development through final prototypes.
• Build models to illustrate size and explain functions to marketing and some customers. Use materials such as foam board, wood, metal or fabricated plastic. Work with in-house model maker to create prototype parts and models via CNC-machining and 3D printing. Assist in final assembly, finishing and painting of models.
• Proficiently utilize Solidworks, Keyshot, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Perform preliminary costing of proposed ideas utilizing in-house data, and information from tooling, manufacturing, and packaging departments.
• Develop product renderings (hand or digital) for presentations and sales use.
• Coordinate product finish details (e.g., texture, polish) with marketing.
• Perform preliminary patent research to identify protected designs and features.
• Assist in preparing documentation to hand off projects to engineering department.
• Conduct consumer research to evaluate design preferences.
• Stay current on industry trends, materials, and technologies through publications and events.
• Support and comply with all Suncast safety policies, quality standards, and housekeeping methods at all times.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or related field.
• 5 years consumer product design experience, injection/blow molding a plus.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to solve problems and interpret technical data.
• Proficiency in CAD, rendering, and standard PC applications.
• Ability to learn new software and tools quickly; strong internet research skills.
• Basic math skills (geometry, ratios, statistics) applied to design.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in office, shop, and manufacturing environments.
• Willingness to work extended hours as needed and travel occasionally.

The Anticipated Pay Range for This Position: $75K-85K annually

Suncast offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs, Vision insurance, Telehealth benefits
• Group Term Life insurance
• 401K with employer match
• Paid vacation time off
• Paid holidays
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health
• Paid Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)
• Tuition Reimbursement

All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration regardless of race, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, color, religion, protected veteran status or national origin.