Development Designer

Development Designer

Location: Loughborough
Level: Mid–Senior

The Role of the Development Designer

We are looking for an experienced Development Designer to join the development team within a creative retail and manufacturing environment. The role will involve taking creative concepts, client briefs and initial designs and developing them into technically robust, commercially viable and production-ready solutions.

Key Responsibilities of the Development Designer

• Develop creative concepts into detailed, practical and production-ready designs.
• Create accurate 3D models, technical drawings, specifications and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Design with consideration for materials, fabrication methods, assembly, tolerances, strength and manufacturability.
• Support the transition from design development into first-off production and manufacture.
• Review prototypes and production samples, making design improvements where required and ensure designs meet project requirements, budgets, quality standards and deadlines.
• Manage your own projects and prioritise workload across multiple deadlines.
• Collaborate with creative, sales, project management and production teams throughout the development process and provide technical support and guidance during manufacturing and installation where required.

Key Requirements of the Development Designer

• Proven experience as a Development Designer, Technical Designer, Product Designer or similar.
• Experience within retail design, POS, display, experiential or creative manufacturing is essential.
• SolidWorks experience is essential.
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, fabrication and assembly.
• Experience producing detailed technical drawings and manufacturing information.
• Good understanding of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA).

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with a range of materials including metal, timber, plastics, acrylics and sheet materials.
• Experience with prototypes, first-off production and installation.
• Knowledge of CNC, laser cutting, folding, fabrication, joinery or other relevant manufacturing processes.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, depending on experience
• Opportunity to work with major global and household brands
• Opportunity to take ownership of exciting design and development projects
• Career development within an established and growing organisation
• The chance to work on innovative, high-profile Point of Sale projects

Important: This is a technical development role within a creative retail environment. Candidates should have relevant experience delivering POS, retail, display, pop-up, window or experiential projects.