PlayPower – Industrial Designer (Play Experiences & Innovation)
Design Observer, Lewisburg, KY, United States
We are seeking a Industrial Designer who is equal parts imaginative thinker and skilled maker—someone who can translate insights, child development principles, and emerging play trends into compelling playground experiences. This designer will contribute to next-generation product lines, support design charrettes, help visualize future concepts, and collaborate closely with engineering to turn ideas into manufacturable solutions.
This Role Is Ideal For Someone Who
Thrives in a fast-moving, collaborative design studio
Loves sketching ideas as much as 3D modeling in CAD
Believes deeply in inclusive design and equitable play
Is excited by prototyping, testing, and constant iteration
Wants to help redefine what outdoor play “can be”
What You’ll Do Concept Creation & Visioning
Generate fresh, boundary-pushing playground concepts through sketching, storyboards, physical concept models, CAD models, and renderings.
Participate in design journeys, field research, and trend exploration to uncover new play possibilities
Contribute to early innovation sprints, brainstorming sessions, SCAMPER activities, and charrettes
Human-Centered & Inclusive Design
Apply inclusive design thinking to ensure play is accessible, meaningful, and delightful for children of all abilities, especially visually impaired and sensory-seeking children
Incorporate child development insights (movement, imagination, sensory, social play, inclusive play categories, etc.) into product ideation
Perform end user research to understand market needs from a design perspective
Collaboration & Communication
Will work with engineering, product management, marketing, sustainability teams, and manufacturing to bring concepts to life
Present design intent clearly through visuals, models, and storytelling
Contribute to a positive, curious, and collaborative team culture
Prototyping & Iteration
Build physical and digital prototypes to explore form, scale, material, and interaction
Support user testing and playground observation to refine concepts
Incorporate feedback quickly and creatively
Design Documentation
Generate concept decks, 3D models, 2D control drawings, and handoff materials
Maintain strong design intent through the product development lifecycles
Who You Are
A creative thinker with strong visualization skills (such as concept sketching, building scaled models, 3D modeling and rendering, and creating communicative storytelling presentations…etc.)
Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by exploration
A strong communicator—visually, verbally, and collaboratively
Someone who takes play seriously (but not themselves too seriously!)
Curious about emerging materials, technologies, sustainability strategies, and new play patterns
Passionate about inclusive design and designing for all children
Enthusiastic about field trips, concept sprints, and working hands-on
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field
Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, or similar)
Strong sketching and rapid visualization ability
Experience with prototyping (digital and/or physical)
Portfolio demonstrating innovative thinking, problem-solving, and aesthetic sensitivity
Experience in play, child development, recreation, or outdoor products is a plus (but not required)
What We Offer
Opportunity to shape the next generation of play experiences
A creative studio culture with collaborative teammates
Access to playgrounds, prototypes, field tests, and lots of real-world inspiration
Professional development opportunities (Predictive Index, CPSI, workshops, design journeys, conferences)
Competitive compensation and benefits
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This Role Is Ideal For Someone Who
Thrives in a fast-moving, collaborative design studio
Loves sketching ideas as much as 3D modeling in CAD
Believes deeply in inclusive design and equitable play
Is excited by prototyping, testing, and constant iteration
Wants to help redefine what outdoor play “can be”
What You’ll Do Concept Creation & Visioning
Generate fresh, boundary-pushing playground concepts through sketching, storyboards, physical concept models, CAD models, and renderings.
Participate in design journeys, field research, and trend exploration to uncover new play possibilities
Contribute to early innovation sprints, brainstorming sessions, SCAMPER activities, and charrettes
Human-Centered & Inclusive Design
Apply inclusive design thinking to ensure play is accessible, meaningful, and delightful for children of all abilities, especially visually impaired and sensory-seeking children
Incorporate child development insights (movement, imagination, sensory, social play, inclusive play categories, etc.) into product ideation
Perform end user research to understand market needs from a design perspective
Collaboration & Communication
Will work with engineering, product management, marketing, sustainability teams, and manufacturing to bring concepts to life
Present design intent clearly through visuals, models, and storytelling
Contribute to a positive, curious, and collaborative team culture
Prototyping & Iteration
Build physical and digital prototypes to explore form, scale, material, and interaction
Support user testing and playground observation to refine concepts
Incorporate feedback quickly and creatively
Design Documentation
Generate concept decks, 3D models, 2D control drawings, and handoff materials
Maintain strong design intent through the product development lifecycles
Who You Are
A creative thinker with strong visualization skills (such as concept sketching, building scaled models, 3D modeling and rendering, and creating communicative storytelling presentations…etc.)
Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by exploration
A strong communicator—visually, verbally, and collaboratively
Someone who takes play seriously (but not themselves too seriously!)
Curious about emerging materials, technologies, sustainability strategies, and new play patterns
Passionate about inclusive design and designing for all children
Enthusiastic about field trips, concept sprints, and working hands-on
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or related field
Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, or similar)
Strong sketching and rapid visualization ability
Experience with prototyping (digital and/or physical)
Portfolio demonstrating innovative thinking, problem-solving, and aesthetic sensitivity
Experience in play, child development, recreation, or outdoor products is a plus (but not required)
What We Offer
Opportunity to shape the next generation of play experiences
A creative studio culture with collaborative teammates
Access to playgrounds, prototypes, field tests, and lots of real-world inspiration
Professional development opportunities (Predictive Index, CPSI, workshops, design journeys, conferences)
Competitive compensation and benefits
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