Principal Designer - Care

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Designer - Care

Company: Electrolux Group

Location: Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design / Industrial Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the development of form language, physical design, and holistic consumer experiences through close collaboration with digital design teams.

• Lead creative sprints, workshops, and design critique sessions to elevate design quality and foster innovation within the product development lifecycle.

• Act as a specialist and mentor, providing advanced expertise and guiding upcoming designers in problem-solving and solution development.

• Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring seamless integration between design, internal R&D, manufacturing, and external suppliers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on physical product design within the consumer appliance sector, requiring a strong blend of creative ideation, technical execution in 3D modeling, and leadership in driving design quality and process. The "Care" designation in the title suggests a focus on product lines related to laundry, dishwashing, or other home care appliances, emphasizing user well-being and product efficacy.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Shape design agendas and steer conversations within various projects, focusing on specialty areas and informing processes to solve complex design challenges.

• Translate design briefs, sketches, and concept art into sophisticated 3D models that meticulously meet project requirements and brand aesthetic standards.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including digital designers, R&D engineers, manufacturing specialists, and external suppliers, to ensure cohesive product development.

• Provide constructive feedback on designs, implementing necessary revisions to refine visual quality, functionality, and user experience of 3D models.

• Champion a culture of design critique, ensuring that objectives are met and driving decision-making through rigorous evaluation and feedback loops.

• Stay abreast of the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and advanced software tools in 3D design to maintain and elevate quality and efficiency standards.

• Participate actively in Lean Thinking projects and activities (EMS/EAI) to drive continuous improvement across design and manufacturing processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a leadership role where the Principal Designer is not just executing tasks but actively shaping processes, mentoring others, and influencing strategic design decisions. The mention of "Lean Thinking projects and activities (EMS/EAI)" indicates a strong focus on process efficiency and operational excellence within the design function, aligning with broader GTM and operational efficiency goals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant design (e.g., Industrial Design, Product Design) or engineering field. Higher-level qualifications are a plus.

Experience: A proven track record of 10+ years in product design, with significant experience in home appliances or automotive industries. Demonstrated success in delivering excellent design performance in previous roles is essential.

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in industry-standard 3D design software, including Alias, Rhino, and CatiaV5.

• Advanced skills in visual design and rendering software such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Keyshot.

• Deep understanding and application of form language principles and user-centric design methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, maintaining organization and meeting deadlines.

• Proven expertise in fostering design critique and providing constructive feedback to elevate design quality.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective cross-functional collaboration and mentorship.

• Advanced English proficiency. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with digital design collaboration tools and workflows.

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials relevant to home appliances.

• Familiarity with Lean Thinking principles and continuous improvement methodologies (EMS/EAI).

• Spanish language proficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (10+ years) and the emphasis on advanced proficiency in specific 3D software point to a senior-level role requiring deep technical expertise and leadership capabilities. The preference for home appliance or automotive experience highlights the need for understanding complex product development cycles and consumer product aesthetics.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a minimum of 10 years of design experience, with a strong emphasis on home appliance or automotive products.

• Demonstrate a clear progression of design thinking, from concept ideation to final production-ready 3D models.

• Include case studies detailing the design process, problem-solving approaches, and the rationale behind design decisions.

• Highlight examples of how design contributed to enhanced user experience, improved functionality, and aesthetic appeal.

• Showcase proficiency in the required 3D modeling software (Alias, Rhino, CatiaV5) through complex model examples. Process Documentation:

• Provide evidence of involvement in shaping design processes or leading creative workshops.

• Include examples of how design brief interpretation and concept development were managed.

• Demonstrate experience in managing feedback loops and revisions to refine 3D models.

• Showcase an understanding of integrating design with technical areas like R&D and manufacturing.

📝 Enhancement Note: A robust portfolio is critical for this role, serving as the primary evidence of the candidate's technical skills, design thinking, and project management capabilities. The emphasis on process documentation and case studies will allow the hiring team to assess the candidate's strategic approach to design challenges and their ability to articulate their contributions and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Principal Designer roles with 10+ years of experience in the Brazilian market, particularly in a major industrial hub like Curitiba, the estimated annual salary range is R$ 150,000 to R$ 240,000. This range accounts for the advanced technical skills, leadership responsibilities, and specialized industry experience required.

Benefits:

• Flexible work hours, allowing for better work-life integration.

• Hybrid work environment (4 days in office, 1 day remote) to balance collaboration and personal focus.

• Profit share bonus, aligning employee success with company performance.

• Discounts on Electrolux award-winning products and services, offering tangible value to employees.

• Family-friendly benefits, including extended paternity leave (4 weeks), supporting employee well-being.

• Comprehensive insurance policy plan for health and security.

• Extensive learning opportunities and flexible career paths for continuous professional development.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with the flexibility of a hybrid work model and adjustable daily schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research from Brazilian job boards and industry salary reports for senior design and engineering roles. The benefits package is comprehensive and reflects Electrolux Group's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, with specific emphasis on work-life balance and family support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Global appliance manufacturing and consumer goods, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer experience. Electrolux Group operates in a competitive market, emphasizing product quality, design, and technological advancement.

Company Size: Electrolux Group is a large, multinational corporation with over 40,000 employees globally, indicating a structured yet dynamic work environment with opportunities for career advancement. The Curitiba plant alone employs over 3,200 collaborators.

Founded: Electrolux was founded in 1919, bringing a long history of innovation and market presence to its operations. This heritage suggests a company that values experience, stability, and long-term vision.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely consists of various specializations, including physical design, digital design, UX research, and potentially color, materials, and finishes (CMF) specialists. The Principal Designer will likely lead or be a key contributor within the physical design unit.

• Reporting structure will involve a Design Manager or Director, with the Principal Designer mentoring and guiding junior designers and specialists within project teams.

• Cross-functional collaboration is integral, with designers working closely with R&D engineers, product managers, marketing, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to bring products to market. Methodology:

• The team likely employs a combination of design thinking, agile methodologies, and Lean principles to drive product development.

• Emphasis on data-driven design, user research, and iterative prototyping to validate concepts and ensure market fit.

• A strong focus on aesthetic quality, user experience, and sustainable design practices is expected.

Company Website: https://www.electroluxgroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights Electrolux Group as a major player in the consumer appliance industry with a strong emphasis on design and innovation. The Curitiba plant's significance as a focal point for Latin American operations suggests that this role has regional impact and visibility. The emphasis on "shaping living for the better" points to a mission-driven culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Designer - This is a senior-level individual contributor role, recognized for deep technical expertise, leadership in design execution, and the ability to mentor others. It signifies a level of mastery in industrial design, particularly in physical product development for consumer goods.

Reporting Structure: The Principal Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Director of Design. They will lead and mentor junior designers and specialists within project teams, acting as a subject matter expert and design quality gatekeeper.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the company's revenue and brand perception through the creation of desirable, innovative, and high-quality products. The Principal Designer's work influences consumer purchasing decisions, product adoption rates, and overall customer satisfaction, directly contributing to market share and profitability.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Advance to a Senior Principal Designer role, or transition into a Design Lead or Managerial position, overseeing larger teams or specific product categories.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop deeper knowledge in areas like sustainable design, advanced materials, or user research, potentially moving into roles focused on design strategy or innovation management.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on global projects, transfer to design centers in other regions, or contribute to Electrolux Group's broader innovation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title indicates a significant level of autonomy and influence. Growth opportunities are structured around deepening expertise, taking on management responsibilities, or expanding into strategic design roles, all of which are common career trajectories for senior designers in large corporations.

🌐 Work Environment