Industrial Designer – Sharper Image & Vornado

Who We Are

Founded in California in 1999, MerchSource is the core division of ThreeSixty Group, the global organization behind iconic brands such as Sharper Image, Vornado, FAO Schwarz, and a diverse portfolio of other consumer brands.

Located in a purpose-built research and development campus in Irvine, California, we are at the heart of Southern California's vibrant creative and technology community. With additional locations in Wichita, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and beyond, we are proud to bring innovative consumer products to people in over 30 countries worldwide.

We offer a fast-paced, creative environment that appeals to those who love to collaborate, think entrepreneurially, and bring new ideas to life.

Our team is core to our mission, and our mission is to inspire happiness through brands and products you love. Our vision is to create a better tomorrow through exceptional experiences that redefine what is possible.

Learn more about our brands, people, and work at

https://www.thethreesixtygroup.com/

About the Role

Are you a creative thinker, hands-on designer, and problem solver who loves turning ideas into real products? Do you enjoy exploring new concepts, finding creative solutions to real-world challenges, and collaborating with others to bring great designs to life? If so, we'd love to have you on our team!

We are seeking an Industrial Designer to join our multidisciplinary design team at MerchSource, developing innovative consumer products for our iconic brands, Sharper Image and Vornado. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work across diverse product categories, combining creative exploration with hands-on product development from initial concept through production.

Reporting to the Lead Industrial Designer and working closely with the VP of Design, you will collaborate with fellow designers, Engineering, Product Development, Marketing, and global manufacturing partners to transform ideas into compelling, functional, and commercially viable products.

We welcome designers at various stages of their careers, from emerging talent with strong creative potential to experienced professionals who can bring fresh perspectives and elevate our design capabilities. Above all, we value strong design sensibility, curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for bringing great products to life.

Creative Exploration &

Design

• Create innovative products through research, consumer insights, market trends, and design exploration.
• Explore solutions ranging from incremental improvements to breakthrough innovation, balancing creativity, functionality, brand identity, and commercial objectives.
• Contribute to defining and evolving each brand's design language and philosophy, translating these principles into a cohesive and recognizable product identity.
• Generate sketches, form studies, and 3D CAD models to communicate and refine design concepts.
• Apply principles of form, proportion, ergonomics, and human factors to create intuitive, user-centered products.
• Develop color, material, and finish (CMF) directions that align with brand positioning, consumer preferences, and manufacturing requirements.
• Create compelling product renderings and presentations to effectively communicate design intent.

Product Development & Manufacturing

• Drive assigned design projects from concept development through production handoff, with ownership appropriate to experience level.
• Develop and refine detailed 3D CAD models using Rhino, SolidWorks, or equivalent modeling software.
• Build and evaluate physical mock-ups and prototypes to validate form, ergonomics, functionality, and usability.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering and Product Development to ensure design feasibility, manufacturability, cost objectives, and appropriate material and manufacturing choices.
• Work with overseas manufacturing partners to review prototypes, samples, and production refinements while maintaining design integrity.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Collaborate with fellow designers and cross-functional partners to align design solutions with product and business objectives.
• Confidently pitch creative ideas, present design concepts, and articulate the thinking and rationale behind design decisions to diverse audiences.
• Champion design excellence and maintain design integrity throughout the development process, balancing creative vision with technical, commercial, and manufacturing constraints.
• Take initiative, anticipate challenges, and proactively identify opportunities to improve designs, solve problems, and move projects forward.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment, delivering quality work while meeting deadlines.
• Maintain clear, proactive communication with managers, leadership, and cross-functional partners regarding project progress, priorities, timelines, and potential challenges.
• Participate actively in design reviews and critiques, contributing constructive feedback and creative ideas while remaining open-minded and receptive to feedback.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative concept development, design problem-solving, and technical execution.
• Strong design sensibility and a keen eye for aesthetics, form, proportion, detail, and visual harmony.
• Genuine passion for design, with curiosity about emerging trends, products, technologies, and a continuous desire to learn and improve.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD modeling software such as Rhino or SolidWorks.
• Proficiency in KeyShot or comparable product visualization software.
• Strong sketching, visual communication, and presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and production considerations, including plastic injection molding.
• Familiarity with physical prototyping and iterative design development.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for business meetings, design research, industry events, and collaboration with teams at other locations. Travel is generally limited to a few trips per year, with potential domestic and international travel depending on business needs.

Preferred

• Professional industrial design experience in consumer electronics, home appliances, wellness, or related consumer product industries.
• Experience designing mass-produced consumer products from concept through manufacturing.
• Experience collaborating with overseas factories and manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of CMF development, surface treatments, and product graphics.
• Experience with rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and hands-on model making.
• Familiarity with mechanical design principles, internal product architecture, and electronic product integration.
• Working knowledge of AI-powered design tools and emerging creative technologies.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary, performance-based bonus opportunities, and comprehensive benefits.
• Highly collaborative culture across design, engineering, sales, marketing, and product teams.
• Opportunity to design innovative products for nationally recognized brands, including Sharper Image and Vornado.
• Hands-on role with direct impact on products sold through major retailers.
• Opportunities to explore emerging trends and design inspiration through industry events, trade shows, and market research.
• Opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and career development within an established design organization.
• 4 days onsite in Irvine, CA, with remote work on Fridays.

Equal Opportunity

Statement

ThreeSixty Group / MerchSource is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or other protected statuses as defined by law.