Senior Product Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Designer

Company: WillScot

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / Engineering

Date Posted: September 11, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Product Designer role is critical for supporting the entire product lifecycle, from initial design through to manufacturing and ongoing product improvements.

• Responsibilities include creating complex designs, analyzing subsystem impacts, and translating requirements into robust engineered solutions, aligning with WillScot's position as a leader in temporary space solutions.

• The role demands proficiency in CAD software and a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, essential for contributing to cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Collaboration with cross-functional teams such as Product Management, Marketing, and Engineering is paramount to ensure successful product development and maintenance.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Senior Product Designer," the responsibilities and required experience (8+ years) suggest a role that leans heavily into product engineering with a strong design component. The emphasis on engineering documentation, manufacturing support, and understanding industry standards (IBC, ADA, UL) indicates a need for a candidate who can bridge the gap between conceptual design and practical, compliant product realization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design complex parts, sub-assemblies, and complete products, adhering to WillScot and industry standards with general direction on design intent.

• Analyze the impact of proposed designs on other subsystems, parts, and assemblies, ensuring holistic product integrity.

• Translate architectural requirements, building codes, and customer expectations into viable, engineered product solutions that meet performance standards.

• Provide essential support for prototype builds and occasional on-site customer installation assistance, ensuring practical application of designs.

• Drive product improvement and value engineering initiatives to enhance product performance, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

• Offer dedicated support to assigned program teams, fostering collaboration with members from Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Product Management.

• Estimate scope of work and required effort for engineering documentation, including drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), product specifications, and assembly instructions.

• Contribute actively to cost reduction, value engineering, and continuous improvement programs within the product development lifecycle.

• Collaborate with Product Management and Legal teams to identify and pursue intellectual property opportunities for innovative designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate independently on design tasks while also functioning as a key support member within program teams. The expectation to "Translate architectural requirements, building codes and customer expectations into engineered product solutions" indicates a strong focus on compliance and practical application, moving beyond purely aesthetic design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline. Experience:

• Minimum of eight years of dedicated product design experience, with a focus on engineered solutions. Required Skills:

• Proficiency with CAD 2D and 3D software, specifically SolidWorks, including advanced parametric modeling techniques.

• Demonstrated proficiency with Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) for documentation and analysis.

• Ability to develop and review complex Bill of Material (BOM) structures accurately.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing tolerances and the ability to perform tolerance analysis on systems.

• Working knowledge of common manufacturing and assembly processes, including structural steel, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and injection molding.

• Capability to independently design components and assemblies based on general design intent and project objectives.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a methodical approach to issue resolution.

• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to engage in productive design discussions and contribute to sound design criteria and decisions.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical solutions.

• An open, scientifically objective, and creative mindset is essential for innovation. Preferred Skills:

• Autodesk Revit experience is highly preferred, indicating a potential need for BIM integration or architectural design understanding.

• Familiarity with Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) according to ASME Y14.5 standards is preferred.

• Experience with Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations is a plus.

• Knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulations such as the International Building Code (IBC), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is preferred.

📝 Enhancement Note: The distinction between required and preferred skills, particularly regarding Revit, GD&T, CAE/FEA, and specific industry codes, suggests that candidates with broader experience in building systems or regulatory compliance will have a distinct advantage. The emphasis on SolidWorks and parametric modeling points to a need for detailed, robust design work.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of complex parts, sub-assemblies, and finished products designed for manufacturing, demonstrating a clear understanding of design intent and standards.

• Include case studies that detail the translation of architectural requirements, building codes, or customer specifications into engineered product solutions.

• Present documentation that illustrates your ability to create and review Bills of Materials (BOMs) and Bills of Process (BOPs).

• Demonstrate your proficiency in using CAD software (ideally SolidWorks) by including examples of parametric modeling and 3D designs. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of engineering documentation created, such as detailed drawings, product specifications, and assembly instructions, highlighting adherence to industry standards.

• Showcase instances where you analyzed the impact of design changes on other subsystems or assemblies, demonstrating a systems-thinking approach.

• Include documentation or descriptions of value engineering or cost reduction initiatives you have contributed to, outlining the process and outcomes.

• If applicable, include examples of PDM/PLM workflows you have managed or contributed to, illustrating system integration and data management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Product Designer role with a strong engineering component, the portfolio should emphasize not just the aesthetic or functional design of products, but also the technical documentation, manufacturing considerations, and compliance aspects. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process, detailing how they addressed technical challenges and ensured manufacturability and adherence to codes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Product Designers with 8+ years of experience in Scottsdale, Arizona, the estimated annual salary range is $100,000 - $135,000. This estimate considers the cost of living in Scottsdale, the specialized skills required (CAD, PDM/PLM, specific engineering knowledge), and the seniority of the role. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.

• Disability and Life Insurance coverage.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays.

• Tuition Reimbursement program to support continuous learning and development.

• Retirement Savings Plan with a company match, supporting long-term financial goals.

• Variable pay opportunities, potentially including commission, bonus, or other incentive programs, depending on the specific role's impact. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work schedule, typically 40 hours per week. The role is designated as "in-office," indicating a consistent on-site presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on data from reputable compensation platforms and considers the specific location (Scottsdale, AZ), experience level (Senior, 8+ years), and the specialized engineering/design skills required. Benefits are listed as provided in the job description, highlighting a comprehensive package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Rental Services (Temporary Space Solutions, Portable Storage)

Company Size: 5,000+ employees. This large employee base suggests a well-established organization with structured processes, opportunities for internal mobility, and a significant market presence. For operations professionals, this often means access to robust systems, dedicated support functions, and a clear hierarchy.

Founded: WillScot's history involves mergers and acquisitions, with its current form emerging from the combination of WillScot and Mobile Mini. This implies a culture that values integration, operational efficiency, and adapting to evolving market needs. The company's focus on being a "Great Place to Work®" indicates a commitment to employee well-being and development.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Product Designer will likely be part of a broader Engineering or Product Development department.

• This department will collaborate closely with Product Management, Manufacturing, Operations, and potentially Sales/Marketing teams.

• Given the "Senior" title and 8+ years of experience requirement, the role may involve mentoring junior designers or leading specific engineering projects. Methodology:

• WillScot emphasizes a "Right From the Start" approach, suggesting a focus on upfront planning, thorough execution, and customer satisfaction.

• The company's "Great Place to Work®" certification points to a culture that values employee input, continuous improvement, and a positive work environment.

• For product design, this likely translates to a methodology that balances innovation with practical considerations like manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to industry standards.

Company Website: https://careers.willscot.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: WillScot's positioning as a leader in temporary space solutions, coupled with its "Great Place to Work®" status, suggests a company culture that balances performance with employee well-being. The integration of two major entities likely means ongoing efforts in process harmonization and operational synergy, areas where a Senior Product Designer can contribute significantly by ensuring product designs are aligned with manufacturing capabilities and evolving market demands.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor. This level implies a high degree of autonomy in technical tasks, the ability to mentor others, and a significant impact on project outcomes. The role is expected to contribute expert-level skills in product design and engineering.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Designer will likely report to an Engineering Manager, Director of Product Development, or a similar leadership role within the product or engineering function. They will collaborate extensively with peers and stakeholders across various departments.

Operations Impact: The designs created directly influence the quality, cost, manufacturability, and compliance of WillScot's temporary space solutions. Successful product designs contribute to customer satisfaction, operational efficiency for the company's rental fleet, and the company's competitive advantage in the market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced CAD, simulation (CAE/FEA), or particular manufacturing processes relevant to WillScot's product lines.

• Project Leadership: Take on leadership roles for specific product development projects, managing timelines, resources, and cross-functional coordination.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior designers and engineers, fostering their development and contributing to the team's overall technical capability.

• Cross-functional Transition: Potentially move into roles in Product Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or Operations Management, leveraging a deep understanding of product lifecycle.

• Industry Certifications: Pursue certifications related to engineering, design, or specific industry standards (e.g., P.Eng. if applicable and desired).

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation coupled with 8+ years of experience suggests a clear path for growth into project leadership or specialized technical expert roles. The company's size and "Great Place to Work®" status imply a supportive environment for professional development and potential advancement into management or more strategic design roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an "in office" role, meaning it is not hybrid or remote. Candidates should expect a traditional office-based work environment.

Office Location(s): Scottsdale, Arizona. This location offers a robust business environment with access to talent and resources.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, requiring interaction with engineering, product management, and manufacturing teams.

• Access to necessary design software (CAD, PDM/PLM) and potentially testing or prototyping facilities will be crucial.

• The environment likely supports a structured workflow, with clear project assignments and team meetings to ensure alignment on design objectives and manufacturing considerations. Work Schedule:

• A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time, on-site roles. While not explicitly stated as flexible, the emphasis on collaboration and project delivery may necessitate occasional adjustments to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "in office" requirement is a key detail for candidates. It suggests a preference for direct collaboration, hands-on involvement, and a structured team environment that values in-person interaction for design and problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager focusing on technical skills, past projects, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss your experience with CAD, PDM/PLM, and manufacturing processes.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: This is a critical stage. Expect to present your portfolio, detailing specific projects, your design process, challenges faced, and solutions implemented. This may include a technical challenge or case study related to product design or problem-solving.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product Management, Manufacturing, or other Engineering teams to assess collaboration skills and ability to integrate designs with broader business objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader for final approval, focusing on strategic alignment and long-term fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Choose 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your skills in complex part design, subsystem analysis, and translating requirements into engineered solutions.

• Highlight CAD Proficiency: Include detailed examples of your work in SolidWorks, demonstrating parametric modeling capabilities and 3D design expertise.

• Showcase Documentation: Present examples of engineering documentation (drawings, BOMs, specifications) and explain your process for creating them.

• Detail Problem-Solving: For each project, clearly articulate the challenges, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the impact of your work (e.g., cost savings, performance improvement, compliance achieved).

• Address Manufacturing & Compliance: Emphasize how your designs considered manufacturing processes (steel, sheet metal, welding, etc.) and relevant industry standards (IBC, ADA, UL).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design problem that may require you to sketch concepts, outline a design process, or analyze a given scenario.

• Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a cross-functional team.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach estimating scope and effort for engineering documentation tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potential technical assessments means candidates must be well-prepared to demonstrate their practical design and engineering capabilities, not just list them. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design decisions and their impact on manufacturing and compliance will be key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: SolidWorks (required, with proficiency in parametric modeling). Autodesk Revit (preferred).

• PDM/PLM Software: Proficiency required for managing product data and lifecycles.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel (high proficiency).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, expect to use CAD-integrated analysis tools (e.g., SolidWorks Simulation for CAE/FEA if available) and potentially internal reporting tools for project tracking and BOM management. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how product designs integrate with broader company systems (like ERP or fleet management) could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is strong proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D parametric modeling, alongside PDM/PLM systems. Experience with Revit, CAE/FEA, and GD&T will be significant advantages, indicating a candidate's depth in engineering analysis and architectural integration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Designs should meet customer needs for flexible workspace and storage solutions, aligning with the "Right From the Start" philosophy.

• Integrity: Upholding industry standards and regulatory compliance in all design work.

• Innovation: Developing creative and effective engineered solutions for temporary space.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking opportunities to enhance product designs, manufacturing processes, and value.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a collaborative environment where ideas are shared openly, and design decisions are made through discussion and analysis.

• The role requires strong communication with engineering, manufacturing, and product management teams to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and meet market demands.

• A willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback is essential for process optimization and design refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: WillScot's "Great Place to Work®" certification suggests a positive and collaborative culture. For a Senior Product Designer, this means being an effective team player who can contribute technical expertise while also fostering a supportive design environment. The company's values likely emphasize practical innovation and a commitment to quality and compliance.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Constraints: Designing complex products that meet stringent industry standards (IBC, ADA, UL), building codes, and customer expectations while remaining cost-effective and manufacturable.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and agreement between design, engineering, manufacturing, and product management teams, each with potentially different priorities.

• Global Standards: Potentially adapting designs to meet varying international standards if travel or international product deployment is involved (0-10% travel).

• Legacy System Integration: Understanding and potentially designing for integration with existing product lines or manufacturing capabilities that may involve older technologies or processes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Technical Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific CAD functionalities, simulation tools (CAE/FEA), or advanced manufacturing techniques.

• Industry Knowledge: Gaining in-depth knowledge of building codes, regulatory compliance, and the specific needs of the temporary space solutions market.

• Project Management: Developing skills in project leadership, scope estimation, and cross-functional team coordination.

• Intellectual Property Development: Learning about patent processes and contributing to the company's IP portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around the practical application of design principles within a regulated and cost-conscious industry. Growth opportunities are geared towards deepening technical expertise and expanding project leadership capabilities within the product development lifecycle.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex product you designed from concept to production. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your process, CAD work, BOMs, and manufacturing considerations).

• "How do you approach translating architectural requirements or building codes into practical product designs?" (Highlight your understanding of standards like IBC, ADA, UL).

• "Walk us through your experience with PDM/PLM systems and how they aid in product lifecycle management." (Emphasize data integrity and workflow efficiency).

• "How do you analyze the impact of a design change on other subsystems or assemblies?" (Demonstrate systems thinking). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in WillScot and our role in the temporary space solutions industry?" (Research WillScot's market position, values, and recent news).

• "How do you contribute to a 'Great Place to Work®' environment?" (Align your collaboration style with company values).

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with manufacturing or product management to resolve a design issue." (Showcase communication and problem-solving in a cross-functional context). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project, starting with the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process (including CAD examples), the solutions, and the final outcome/impact.

• Metrics: Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "reduced material cost by X%", "improved structural integrity by Y%", "met all ADA compliance requirements").

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to discuss specific design choices, material selection, manufacturing processes, and tolerance analysis.

• Relevance: Prioritize projects that demonstrate skills in SolidWorks, parametric modeling, engineering documentation, and an understanding of manufacturing constraints and industry codes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative design thinking and rigorous engineering discipline. Candidates need to clearly articulate their technical process, problem-solving abilities, and how their designs contribute to the company's operational and business goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the WillScot careers portal link provided.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 8+ years of product design experience, proficiency in SolidWorks, PDM/PLM systems, and any experience with relevant industry standards (IBC, ADA, UL) or preferred skills (Revit, CAE/FEA). Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 3-5 strong projects that showcase your design process, CAD skills, engineering documentation, problem-solving, and understanding of manufacturing and compliance. Be ready to present and discuss these in detail.

• Research WillScot: Understand their products, market position, "Great Place to Work®" status, and values to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for technical questions about your design process, CAD software, and engineering challenges, as well as behavioral questions about collaboration and problem-solving.

⚠️ 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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