Industrial Designer

For more than 80 years, sports enthusiasts at all levels have selected BRG products for their innovative designs and advanced materials. The company’s brands boast a number of “firsts,” including the first football helmet to achieve the highest protective 5-STAR rating by Virginia Tech University, first aluminum arrow, bat and auto racing helmets. As BRG continues to grow and enter new categories, the company remains

The Industrial Designer will be responsible for developing individual products and complete product lines of moderate to extreme levels of difficulty, complexity or breadth of scope or for which few precedents exist through the use of shape, accent details, color, ergonomics and other design techniques in coordination with other cross-functional teams. BRG Sports is an equal opportunity employer

• Keep informed of design, research, engineering and marketing developments to constantly improve design ability, related product and industry knowledge
• Study consumer trends related to design.
• Proactively adapt and conceptualize these trends as suggestions for future products or product line introductions or enhancements
• Determine materials, construction, mechanisms, shape, color, surface finish, manufacturing processes, and packaging in cooperation with other business functions involved in the development of new products
• Contribute to, and work within criteria established for the project by other business function
• Able to direct the execution of design concepts and ideas by others in 2-D or 3-D as deemed appropriate
• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Mechanical Engineering staff to conceptualize new product ideas based on an understanding of competitive products and market needs
• Design new products working in conjunction with Mechanical Engineers Engineers to combine function and aesthetics into market leading products
• Coordinate research regarding materials and constructions for all projects
• Create mock-ups and prototypes to evaluate conceptual designs
• Direct the efforts of inside and outside resources to create drawings, models and prototypes
• Create sketches, drawings and specifications to translate ideas into models and working prototypes
• Create and maintain design documentation such as assembly drawings, product and material specifications, bill of materials, etc. to assure quality in product designs
• Conduct cost analysis on new product designs
• Evaluate designs relative to applicable safety standards
• Test functional prototypes to verify design intent through virtual or physical methods
• Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations departments to improve cost and ease of manufacturing throughout development and after product launch
• Acknowledge that your work affects the quality level of the final product
• Perform other tasks as assigned
• Direct the efforts of Junior Industrial Designers to assist within the product development process
• Holds “specialist” role for the R&D group in at least one domain
• Take on minor and major level projects
• Provide mentorship to Junior Industrial Designers and Interns

Education and Training:

• 4-year degree in Industrial Design (BSID) or related field or equivalent work experience
• 3+ years prior experience in a similar position
• Computer experience required. Knowledge of Microsoft (Outlook, Word, Excel) and Adobe software products (Illustrator and/or Photoshop) required. Rhinoceros, SolidWorks and/or other 3D modeling programs also required
• Mechanical aptitude in common manufacturing techniques including injection and compression molding, composites, vacuum forming, soft goods Competence and familiarity with basic model shop tools and procedures

Skills and Abilities:

• Fostering Partnerships - Building partnerships with internal customers
• Promoting Teamwork - Utilizing the power of the team over individual contributions; Appreciating the Mechanical Engineering / Industrial Design development relationship
• Effective Communication - Clear communication to internal and external customers in multiple formats (written, verbal)
• Patience / Listening / Respect - Thoughtful reflection and understanding of what other's are saying before responding / reacting; acknowledging the needs and work of others
• Approachability - Always open to the needs of your team and customers
• Accepting Constructive Feedback - Utilizing the team’s knowledge and individual strengths to improve upon work
• Accountability - Taking accountability for your actions
• Work Management - Strong project management and organizational skills, acute attention to detail and refined aesthetic sensibilities
• Fostering Innovation - looking beyond the norm in developing new product or practices and embracing necessary change
• Problem Solving - Effectively analyzing all aspects of a problem, gathering necessary data, consulting others, making an informed decision and communicating it to the appropriate people
• Professional Expertise - Possessing expertise in professional area with experience backing it up. - Maintaining knowledge of current advancements in technical areas
• BRG Sports Expertise - Possessing expertise within internal design process knowledge
• Managing Project Complexity - Ability to execute minor and major level projects from start to finish