Industrial Designer - US Based

About Toptal Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. With $200+ million in annual revenue and team members based around the globe, Toptal is the world’s largest fully remote workforce. We take the best elements of virtual teams and combine them with a support structure that encourages innovation, social interaction, and fun. We see no borders, move at a fast pace, and are never afraid to break the mold. Job Summary: We are building a new class of consumer hardware — a product that will fundamentally change how people experience and interact with their living spaces. We’re in stealth mode for now, but the ambition is large, the opportunity is massive, and the early team will define the future of the company. As the founding Industrial Designer, you will own the end-to-end design of our first-generation hardware product. This includes concept development, prototyping, user experience, aesthetics, ergonomics, materials selection, manufacturability, and readiness for OEM production. This is a rare zero-to-one design role. You will shape not only the product but the design language of an entirely new category. Applicants are required to reside in New York or be willing to relocate there. We do not offer visa sponsorship or assistance, so applicants must already be authorized to work in the US at the time of hire. Resumes and communication must be submitted in English. Responsibilities: The following information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or required skills. - Lead the full industrial design process: concept sketches → CAD → prototyping → DFM → final production design. - Create a cohesive product identity and design language for Shade.com. - Work closely with hardware, materials science, and firmware engineers to ensure seamless functional integration. - Translate engineering constraints into elegant, user-friendly design solutions. - Develop and refine CMF (Color, Material, Finish) choices that elevate the product experience. - Build prototypes (foam models, 3D prints, engineering samples) and iterate quickly. - Prepare detailed design documentation for manufacturing. - Collaborate with global OEMs and contract manufacturers to drive DFM and production readiness. - Conduct usability studies, refine ergonomics, and inform product experience decisions. Qualifications and Job Requirements: - Bachelor’s degree is required. - 4–10+ years of experience designing physical hardware products (consumer electronics, IoT devices, appliances, or smart home products preferred). - Strong portfolio that demonstrates end-to-end design work from sketch to mass production. - Expertise in design tools (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Rhino, Keyshot, Adobe Suite, etc.). - Deep understanding of manufacturing processes (injection molding, die casting, CNC, soft goods, assembly methods, CMF). - Experience working with OEMs and contract manufacturers, ideally in Korea or Taiwan. - Ability to collaborate with engineers and convert constraints into elegant, manufacturable design. - Comfortable with rapid iteration, ambiguity, and shaping an early-stage product from scratch. - Passion for creating beautiful, high-quality, user-centric products. - Background in designing smart home devices, IoT products, or architectural/consumer-grade installations. - Familiarity with smart materials, thin films, electronics packaging, or environmental product design. - Experience building design systems or brand language for a first-generation product. - Prior startup experience or zero-to-one product launches. - Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. - Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly growing company and handle a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a diverse array of contacts. - You must be a world-class individual contributor to thrive at Toptal. You will not be here just to tell other people what to do. Why This Role Matters You’re not joining as “just” an industrial designer — you’re helping define a new product category. You will establish: - The look. - The feel. - The tactile experience. - The visual identity. - The manufacturability pathway. - The long-term design language. - The ultimate consumer experience, from receiving the product to using it long-term. - Everything. From scratch. This is a chance to build a generational hardware product at the very beginning. Essential Job Functions - Regularly and reliably attend scheduled virtual team meetings on camera. - Work independently with minimal supervision. - Use all required digital collaboration tools. - Prioritize and self-manage workflows and deadlines. US FLSA Classification: Full-Time/Exempt