Who We Are
As one of the fastest-growing on-the-go drinkware companies in America, we’ve got a reputation for doing great things. Our vision is simple - bring delight to eating and drinking.
Delight is different to everyone. Whether it’s the perfect cup of coffee, or a water bottle that helps you crush your workout, our mission is to make it look great, function perfectly and cost less than you’d expect.
Delivering on this promise takes extraordinary efforts and exceptional people. Through our teams’ ingenuity and grit, we’ve created a place where the best ideas win, and they can come from anyone. Our culture combines the scrappy spirit of a startup with the perks of a market leader.
We believe the right way to design products starts and ends with two key ingredients: process + people. Process is the path that takes us from ideas to products that are on brand, on time and on budget. People are the secret sauce that adds ingenuity every step of the way.
Together, we navigate each day with optimism, curiosity, a healthy sense of humor and a strong allergy to the word “no.” This desire for better, coupled with a deep understanding of consumers’ daily lives, gets us to meaningful delight.
About the Role
Our Associate Industrial Designers support the creation and development of innovative, user-centered products from concept to completion. This role is crucial for translating consumer insights into functional and aesthetically pleasing designs, collaborating closely with engineering and cross-functional teams to ensure product reliability and cost efficiency. By collaborating with other designers and staying ahead of industry trends, you will drive the integration of new technologies and maintain the company’s design standards, significantly impacting product quality and market success.
Please note - a portfolio is required to be considered for this role. Any applications submitted without an attached portfolio will not be considered.
What You’ll Do
- Convert broad consumer insights into innovative design solutions
- Employ user-centered design principles & thoughtful research to create intuitive, functional designs
- Work closely with Engineering to develop product specifications, validate prototypes, and ensure reliable performance
- See the successful implementation of major product designs through from concept to completion
- Communicate design ideas effectively via sketches, renderings, handmade prototypes, and 3D models
- Conduct brainstorming sessions and design reviews to enhance creativity and problem-solving
- Innovate by exploring new trends and technologies, integrating them into product designs
- Maintain and oversee all required industrial design documentation, ensuring timely updates and compliance
- Provide development timeline status and task assignments through project management system
- Assist senior design staff in special projects as needed
Who You Are
- 1+ years of consumer hardgoods design experience (internship experience acceptable). Additional experience with softgoods design is a huge plus.
- Designing for mass retailers (Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s, Kroger, etc.) also a huge plus
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator proficiency
- Experience in 3D modeling (Fusion 360 preferred) and mechanical development
- Strong capability in sketching (analog and digital) and form development
- Experience conducting observational research within the context of design concept development projects
- Detail oriented with the ability to drive projects from concept through implementation, managing feedback along the way
- Understanding of brand guidelines and proven capability to bring concepts from ideation to physical product
Benefits at Leapfrog
- 15 days Paid Time Off your first year, and an additional day each year thereafter (up to 25 days), as well as company paid sick days, holidays and parental leave options
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as commuter benefits and additional voluntary benefits
- Annual bonus payouts for all salaried employees, and up to a 5% 401k match with no vesting period
- Summer Fridays - from Memorial Day to Labor Day enjoy half days every Friday
Learn more about life at Leapfrog and our benefits by visiting us at www.leapfrogbrands.com
Leapfrog is currently operating under a hybrid work model, and this position will report on site to our Lincoln Park office at least 2 days per week. Additional ad-hoc in office days may be required based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not comfortable with a hybrid work model.
Leapfrog Brands is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship or relocation for this position, and all new hires will be required to verify their employment eligibility through the DHS E-Verify program.
Salary Band
$50,000-55,000 plus bonus, full-time, salaried, exempt, hybrid
Please note: Most candidates can expect to be positioned within the low to mid-range of the designated compensation band. This approach is designed to set realistic expectations while providing employees with the opportunity for growth and development within their roles. Placement toward the higher end of the band may be considered based on relevant experience, specialized skills, and other qualifications.
The pay range for this role is:
50,000 - 55,000 USD per year(Chicago, IL)