Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer

Company: Umbra

Location: Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Industrial Design

Date Posted: April 30, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Contribute to the full product lifecycle, from initial concept ideation through to production-ready documentation, for innovative and manufacturable products.

• Develop and explore product ideas that align with Umbra's established design vision and brand identity, ensuring a cohesive and appealing product portfolio.

• Create comprehensive design solutions that meticulously consider form, function, material selection, user experience, and manufacturing feasibility.

• Drive the translation of project requirements into tangible, manufacturable design outcomes, effectively bridging the gap between creative concepts and production realities.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with internal engineering, sourcing, and marketing teams, as well as external vendors and manufacturers, to ensure seamless product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a product design function, emphasizing the creation of physical goods. The responsibilities and required skills are tailored towards industrial design with a strong focus on manufacturability and cross-functional collaboration, typical for a company like Umbra that produces tangible consumer products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead product design initiatives, guiding projects from the initial ideation phase through to the final production-ready documentation and manufacturing stages.

• Actively participate in concept development sessions, generating and exploring innovative product ideas that resonate with Umbra's core design principles and market positioning.

• Design and refine product solutions, ensuring a holistic approach that integrates aesthetics, ergonomics, material properties, and user interaction.

• Translate complex project briefs and stakeholder requirements into actionable design specifications that are both creative and manufacturable.

• Engage in regular communication and collaboration with engineering, sourcing, marketing, and external manufacturing partners to ensure design intent is accurately realized and production constraints are met.

• Produce and manage production-ready 2D and 3D files, detailed documentation, and specifications essential for tooling, manufacturing, and quality assurance.

• Continuously evaluate design feasibility, ensuring alignment with manufacturing capabilities, cost targets, and material constraints to optimize production outcomes.

• Actively participate in design review meetings, providing constructive feedback and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning within the design team.

• Offer support and collaborate with fellow designers and team members as needed, fostering a supportive and efficient design studio environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on approach to product development, requiring the designer to be involved in all stages. This includes not just creative ideation but also the critical practicalities of manufacturing feasibility and documentation, which are key for a company producing physical goods.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 4-8+ years of progressive experience in product design and/or industrial design, with a proven track record of bringing products to market.

• Demonstrated experience contributing to projects across multiple stages of the product development lifecycle, from initial concept to production execution.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in using AI tools to enhance design workflows, improve efficiency, and generate creative solutions.

• Strong working knowledge of 3D CAD software, specifically SolidWorks, with an understanding of its application in product development and manufacturing.

• Ability to create, edit, and manipulate 2D graphics for product design applications, presentations, and technical documentation.

• Proven ability to contribute original and innovative design ideas that align with brand strategy and market trends.

• Experience in model-making or creating shop mock-ups to test and validate design concepts.

• Solid understanding of various production processes, including injection molding, casting, and general fabrication techniques.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Onshape as a CAD platform is considered a plus.

• Demonstrated understanding of user experience (UX) principles as they apply to physical products.

• Experience with design iteration and rapid prototyping methodologies.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple design projects concurrently and meet deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for AI tool experience is a significant differentiator, indicating Umbra's forward-thinking approach to design technology. The emphasis on SolidWorks and manufacturing knowledge underscores the role's focus on tangible product creation. The portfolio requirement specifically calls out AI usage, making it a critical component for applicants.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate experience contributing to the development of products from the initial concept phase through to production-ready outcomes or actual market launch.

• Showcase a robust design process, clearly illustrating your approach to ideation, concept iteration, problem-solving, and user-centered design.

• Clearly articulate your specific contributions within each project, differentiating your work from that of team members or external collaborators.

Process Documentation:

• Include at least one project example that clearly details the application of AI tools:

  • Specify which AI tool(s) were utilized within the design workflow.
  • Explain how these tools were integrated into the process (e.g., for ideation, form generation, rendering, analysis).
  • Detail the problem(s) the AI tool helped solve or how it demonstrably improved efficiency, design quality, or overall output.

• Showcase your ability to document design intent, specifications, and manufacturing considerations clearly and comprehensively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly specific, particularly concerning the demonstration of AI tool usage and the clear articulation of individual contributions. This suggests a rigorous evaluation process where candidates must prove not only their design skills but also their ability to leverage new technologies and work collaboratively.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package.

• Performance-based incentives and bonuses.

• RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) matching program.

• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development.

• On-site café for convenient access to food and beverages.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, Umbra may offer some flexibility in daily start/end times, subject to team needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on typical compensation for experienced Product Designers in a major Canadian city like Toronto, factoring in the specific technical requirements and the company's industry (consumer goods design). The benefits package is strong, reflecting Umbra's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Home Goods / Consumer Product Design & Manufacturing

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, Umbra is described as a "leading global design company" with 45 years of experience and products in over 120 countries. This suggests a medium to large-sized organization with established international operations. This scale implies a need for structured processes and efficient workflows, making a Product Designer's role critical for maintaining brand consistency and driving innovation.

Founded: 45 years ago, indicating a long-standing presence and deep expertise in the home goods market. This history suggests a company with a stable foundation, a proven business model, and a rich heritage of design innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Product Designer reports to a Senior Design Lead, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the design department.

• The role involves close collaboration with internal engineering, sourcing, and marketing teams, highlighting a cross-functional team dynamic essential for bringing products to market.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not explicitly detailed, a "design-driven culture" implies decisions are informed by market trends, consumer insights, and performance data of existing products.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The emphasis on "efficiency" and "Can-Do Attitude" suggests a focus on streamlined processes and continuous improvement in how design projects are managed and executed.

• Automation & Efficiency Practices: The explicit requirement for experience with AI tools points to a proactive approach to leveraging technology for enhanced design outcomes and operational efficiency.

Company Website: https://umbra.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Umbra's long history and global reach suggest a company that balances established design principles with a drive for innovation. The emphasis on "entrepreneurial spirit" and "curiosity" indicates a culture that values proactive problem-solving and continuous learning, which is crucial for a designer in a fast-paced consumer goods environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is for an experienced Product Designer, likely at a mid-to-senior level. The 4-8+ years of experience requirement and the expectation to contribute from concept to production signify a role with significant responsibility and autonomy. It's a position where an individual is expected to be a key contributor to product development strategy and execution, not just an executor of tasks.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports to a Senior Design Lead, indicating a clear path for mentorship and guidance within the design team. This structure also suggests opportunities to learn from experienced leaders and gain exposure to higher-level design strategy and decision-making.

Operations Impact: The Product Designer's impact is direct and tangible, influencing the form, function, manufacturability, and market appeal of Umbra's products. Successful designs contribute directly to sales revenue, brand perception, and market competitiveness. The ability to translate business goals into manufacturable products is a critical operational impact for a company like Umbra.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific manufacturing processes, materials, and advanced CAD techniques. Develop specialized knowledge in areas like sustainable design or user-centered design methodologies.

• Industry Exposure: Gain broader exposure to different product categories within Umbra's portfolio, understanding diverse market needs and design challenges. Potential to lead design aspects of specific product lines.

• Leadership Potential: With sustained high performance and demonstrated leadership in design projects, opportunities may arise to move into senior design roles, team lead positions, or specialized design management functions within Umbra.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a solid foundation for career growth within the industrial design field, particularly within a company that has a proven track record and global presence. The emphasis on innovation and technology (AI tools) suggests opportunities to stay at the forefront of design practices.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The description mentions a "collaborative studio environment" and "on-site café" and "gym facilities," suggesting a modern, well-equipped office setting designed to foster creativity and collaboration. The "on-site" nature means this is not a remote role, emphasizing in-person interaction and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. This is a specific geographic location within the Greater Toronto Area, known for its diverse business landscape.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio setting is designed for designers to work across teams and disciplines, encouraging idea exchange and mutual support.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (SolidWorks, AI tools), likely with robust hardware to support 3D modeling and rendering.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with fellow designers, engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders, facilitating efficient communication and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week, full-time, on-site. While typical business hours apply, the "entrepreneurial spirit" and "can-do attitude" mentioned in the company values might imply a degree of flexibility or a willingness to go the extra mile when project demands require it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is clear, and the description points towards a supportive and well-resourced design environment. The emphasis on collaboration and efficiency suggests a dynamic workspace where designers are expected to be engaged and productive.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess alignment with basic qualifications and required skills.

• Portfolio Review & Discussion: A dedicated session to walk through the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design process, contributions, AI tool usage, and problem-solving examples. Expect in-depth questions about specific projects.

• Technical & Behavioral Interviews: Interviews with the Senior Design Lead and potentially other team members to evaluate technical proficiency (CAD, manufacturing knowledge), creative thinking, and cultural fit ("Entrepreneurial Spirit," "Can-Do Attitude," "Team Player Mentality").

• Case Study/Design Challenge (Potential): While not explicitly stated, some design roles may include a practical exercise or a more complex problem-solving challenge to assess real-world application of skills.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with higher-level management or HR to discuss the role, compensation, and answer any remaining questions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight AI Integration: Clearly showcase at least one project where AI tools were used. Be prepared to articulate the specific tool, its application, and the tangible benefits it brought to the design process or outcome.

• Demonstrate Process: Don't just show final renders; illustrate your design journey. Include sketches, ideation variations, CAD iterations, material studies, and problem-solving steps.

• Quantify Contributions: Clearly define your role and contributions in each project, especially if it was a team effort. Use "I" statements for your work and "we" for team achievements.

• Focus on Manufacturability: Emphasize how you considered production constraints, materials, and manufacturing processes in your designs.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality images and concise descriptions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize with Umbra's Products: Understand their design aesthetic, target audience, and product categories.

• Review Design Thinking & Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you approach design challenges, from understanding the brief to developing and refining solutions.

• Practice Articulating Technical Details: Be prepared to explain your CAD choices, material selections, and manufacturing considerations clearly and concisely.

• Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Reflect on examples that demonstrate your "Entrepreneurial Spirit," "Can-Do Attitude," "Curiosity," and "Team Player Mentality."

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI usage in the portfolio is a critical instruction. Candidates must be prepared to discuss this aspect thoroughly, as it's explicitly called out as a requirement. The interview process is likely to be thorough, covering both technical skills and cultural fit.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• 3D CAD Software: SolidWorks (required), Onshape (preferred). Proficiency in creating detailed models, assemblies, and technical drawings for manufacturing.

• AI Design Tools: Experience with various AI platforms used for ideation, concept generation, rendering enhancement, or workflow automation. Candidates need to specify which tools and how they were applied.

• 2D Graphics Software: Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator) or similar for editing product graphics, creating presentations, and refining visual assets.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design tasks, but understanding how designs feed into product management and sales systems could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of SolidWorks and AI tools is key. Proficiency in these areas, along with the ability to articulate their application, will be crucial for candidates. The inclusion of AI tools suggests Umbra is investing in modern design technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Encouraging initiative, proactivity, and a willingness to take ownership and drive projects forward.

• Can-Do Attitude: Fostering a positive, solution-oriented mindset where challenges are seen as opportunities to innovate.

• Curiosity: Promoting a desire to explore new ideas, technologies (like AI), materials, and market trends.

• Street Smarts: Valuing practical problem-solving, resourcefulness, and the ability to navigate real-world constraints effectively.

• Team Player Mentality: Emphasizing collaboration, open communication, and mutual support within the design team and across departments.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Designers are expected to work closely with engineering, sourcing, and marketing, requiring clear communication and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Process Review Culture: A willingness to openly discuss and refine design processes to improve efficiency and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the exchange of ideas, best practices, and learnings among team members to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Umbra's core values are geared towards a dynamic and results-oriented work environment. The emphasis on "Street Smarts" and "Can-Do Attitude" suggests a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving, which is highly relevant for a product designer dealing with manufacturing realities.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Manufacturability: Designing products that are both highly innovative and cost-effective to manufacture at scale. This involves constant negotiation between creative aspirations and production realities.

• Leveraging AI Effectively: Integrating AI tools into the design workflow in a way that genuinely enhances creativity and efficiency, rather than simply automating tasks without strategic purpose.

• Cross-functional Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicating design intent and rationale to diverse teams (engineering, marketing, sales) who may have different priorities and perspectives.

• Keeping Pace with Trends: Staying abreast of rapidly evolving design technologies, consumer preferences, and material innovations in the competitive home goods market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced CAD & Material Science Training: Opportunities to deepen technical skills in SolidWorks or explore new materials and their applications.

• AI in Design Workshops/Courses: Further education on leveraging AI tools for specific design challenges, generative design, or simulation.

• Product Management & Market Insight: Gaining exposure to market research, consumer behavior analysis, and product strategy to inform design decisions.

• Mentorship from Senior Design Lead: Direct guidance and learning from an experienced design leader on complex projects and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a product designer in a consumer goods company. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with the skills and technologies highlighted in the job description, particularly AI and advanced manufacturing.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a product you designed that successfully navigated significant manufacturing constraints. What was your process for overcoming those challenges?" (Focus on problem-solving, manufacturability, and your design process.)

• "How have you used AI tools in your design workflow to date? Provide a specific example of how it improved efficiency, quality, or led to a novel solution." (Prepare to detail tool, application, and impact.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Umbra values an 'Entrepreneurial Spirit' and 'Can-Do Attitude.' Can you share an example from your experience where you demonstrated these qualities?" (Prepare specific anecdotes.)

• "How do you stay curious and informed about new design trends, materials, and technologies?" (Showcase your proactive learning approach.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Start with an overview of Umbra's products and design philosophy. Then, present 2-3 key projects, dedicating significant time to the one demonstrating AI tool usage.

• Highlight Your Role: For each project, clearly articulate your specific responsibilities and contributions. Use "I" for individual work and "we" for team efforts.

• Showcase Process: Visually represent your design process – from initial sketches and mood boards to CAD iterations, material studies, and final renders. Explain the rationale behind your decisions at each stage.

• Focus on Impact: Whenever possible, discuss the outcomes of your designs, whether it's market success, efficiency gains, or positive user feedback. For AI projects, quantify the benefits.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your CAD techniques, material choices, manufacturing considerations, and the specific application of AI tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes proving practical application of skills, especially AI tool usage, and demonstrating cultural fit with Umbra's stated values. A well-structured portfolio presentation is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight experience with SolidWorks, AI design tools, manufacturability, and the full product development lifecycle. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your design process, problem-solving abilities, and, crucially, your experience with AI tools. Ensure clear articulation of your contributions and high-quality visuals.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, focusing on clear communication, detailing your design process, and being ready to answer in-depth questions about your work, especially regarding AI tool usage and manufacturability.

• Research Umbra: Familiarize yourself with Umbra's product catalog, design aesthetic, company mission, and values to tailor your application and interview responses effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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