Structual & Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Structural & Graphic Designer

Company: Pratt Industries

Location: Cypress, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Manufacturing / Art & Design / Engineering

Date Posted: 2026-08-17

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years implied)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develops innovative structural packaging and display solutions, merging graphic design with engineering principles for manufacturability and sales support.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with sales, production, and external customers to translate requirements into tangible, high-quality packaging designs.

• Creates and assembles physical prototypes using specialized CAD equipment and fabrication techniques, ensuring design integrity and production feasibility.

• Manages detailed project documentation, including CAD specifications, print information, and project records, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.

• Contributes to artwork and graphics projects across the organization, supporting brand consistency and visual appeal in packaging solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is explicitly described as "Structural & Graphic Designer," indicating a dual focus. The emphasis on "sales growth," "customer success," and "collaboration with sales representatives, customers, and production teams" strongly suggests this role sits within a Go-To-Market (GTM) support function, specifically in product development and client-facing design. The mention of "packaging and display solutions" points towards a B2B manufacturing context where design directly impacts sales and client retention. The required tools (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite) and responsibilities (prototyping, CAD specifications) are standard for a packaging designer role, but the emphasis on sales collaboration elevates it.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop structural packaging and display concepts utilizing ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and 3D rendering software to meet client specifications and sales objectives.

• Partner with sales representatives to understand customer needs and translate them into creative, functional, and cost-effective packaging solutions that drive sales growth.

• Produce and assemble precise packaging prototypes and samples using a Kongsberg CAD table and manual fabrication methods for client review and internal validation.

• Evaluate complex customer requests, conceptualizing and engineering innovative, manufacturable packaging designs that align with production capabilities and quality standards.

• Maintain meticulous CAD specifications, accurate print information, comprehensive project records, and organized filing systems to ensure traceability and efficiency.

• Liaise with purchasing and tooling departments to guarantee timely and accurate completion of tooling orders and associated documentation, preventing production delays.

• Provide essential support for artwork, graphics, and specialized design projects across the entire organization, ensuring brand consistency and visual appeal.

• Proactively manage project timelines and deadlines, consistently delivering high-quality designs that meet established quality standards and production feasibility requirements.

• Adhere strictly to all company safety policies, procedures, and housekeeping standards to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.

• Undertake additional duties as assigned by the Design Manager or General Manager, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to organizational goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Primary Duties and Responsibilities" section is comprehensive. The responsibilities are clearly defined and directly relate to the design and development lifecycle of packaging. The integration of specific software (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Kongsberg CAD table) and the emphasis on collaboration with sales and production teams highlight the operational and GTM aspects of this design role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: College coursework or equivalent education in CAD, graphic design, drafting, computer-aided design, or a closely related field; or equivalent demonstrated work experience.

Experience:

• Required: Proven experience using ArtiosCAD, Kongsberg CAD Table, or similar packaging design software. Demonstrable proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

• Preferred: Experience within the corrugated packaging industry. Experience in creating packaging prototypes, displays, and production-ready specifications. Familiarity with printing processes and printing equipment.

Required Skills:

• Structural Design: Expertise in designing packaging structures and displays using specialized CAD software.

• Graphic Design Software: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for artwork and graphic application.

• 3D Rendering Software: Ability to create realistic 3D visualizations of packaging concepts.

• CAD Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with ArtiosCAD or comparable packaging design CAD software is essential.

• Prototyping: Experience in producing physical prototypes and samples using CAD cutting tables and hand fabrication.

• Technical Documentation: Ability to create and maintain detailed CAD specifications, print information, and project records.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address design challenges and customer requirements.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication for effective collaboration with sales, customers, and internal teams.

• Manufacturing Process Awareness: Understanding of packaging manufacturing processes, especially corrugated board production, to ensure designs are manufacturable.

• Quality Assurance: Commitment to ensuring all designs meet stringent customer specifications and quality standards.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment, coordinating with multiple departments.

Preferred Skills:

• Corrugated Packaging Industry Experience: In-depth knowledge of corrugated board types, construction methods, and industry best practices.

• Prototype Development: Advanced skills in rapid prototyping and sample creation for a variety of packaging applications.

• Printing Process Knowledge: Understanding of various printing methods (e.g., flexography, offset) and their impact on graphic design and production.

• Tooling Coordination: Familiarity with the process of ordering and managing tooling for packaging production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications section is well-defined. The distinction between required and preferred skills is clear. The emphasis on specific software like ArtiosCAD and Kongsberg CAD table is crucial for operations-focused candidates. The preference for corrugated packaging experience and printing process knowledge indicates a need for practical, industry-specific understanding that impacts production efficiency and quality.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Structural Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating structural packaging design challenges, your design process, and the final solution. Include detailed CAD drawings, 3D renderings, and photos of physical prototypes.

• Graphic Design Integration Examples: Highlight projects where graphic design was integrated with structural packaging. Demonstrate how visual elements enhanced the product's appeal and communicated brand messaging effectively.

• Prototyping & Fabrication Samples: Provide visual evidence of your ability to create physical prototypes. This could include photos or videos of you working with a CAD table or demonstrating hand-fabrication techniques for samples.

• Technical Specification Documentation: Include examples of detailed CAD specifications, print information sheets, or project record summaries that illustrate your accuracy and attention to detail in documentation.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Present at least one case study detailing a complex customer requirement or a manufacturing constraint you successfully overcame through innovative design or process adaptation.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Demonstrate your ability to document and visualize the packaging design workflow from initial client brief to final production-ready files. Highlight any process improvements or efficiencies you've implemented.

• System Implementation & Collaboration: Showcase how you use design software and associated systems (like CAD tables) to collaborate with sales, production, and other stakeholders. Illustrate your method for managing project data and revisions.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: While direct performance metrics might be less common for a designer, show how you ensure designs meet manufacturability, quality, and client satisfaction criteria. This could involve demonstrating how you review production feedback or client approval processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to a design role with operational implications. The portfolio requirements emphasize not just the final output but also the process of design, prototyping, and documentation, which are critical in a manufacturing and GTM context. The focus on workflow, system collaboration, and meeting production feasibility directly aligns with operations and GTM efficiency goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000.00 per year (as stated in the job description).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Insurance benefits available within one month of hire, including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Disability insurance.

• Financial Wellness: Access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for managing healthcare expenses.

• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with a company match, available after 3 months of employment.

• Paid Time Off: Paid holidays from day one of employment and paid vacation after 6 months.

• Income Protection: Company-paid life insurance and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support services.

• Family Support: Paid parental leave to support new parents.

• Performance Incentives: Monthly incentive bonus opportunities tied to performance.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, implying a standard Monday-Friday work schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is explicitly stated as $70,000.00/yr. The benefits package is robust, offering a good mix of health, financial, and time-off benefits that are attractive to skilled professionals. The mention of "monthly incentive bonus opportunities" suggests a performance-driven culture, which is common in GTM-adjacent roles. The working hours are standard for a full-time position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Paper and Packaging Manufacturing. Pratt Industries is a significant player, described as America's 5th largest paper and packaging company. Their commitment to recycling and sustainability ("green collar employees," "harvesting the urban forest") is a core aspect of their identity and operational ethos.

Company Size: Large. With "more than 10,000 highly skilled green collar employees" and operations in "more than twenty states," Pratt Industries operates on a significant scale, implying structured processes, established career paths, and considerable resources.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated in the provided text, but the company's established presence and scale suggest a long history in the industry.

Team Structure:

• Design Department: This role reports to a Design Manager and potentially the General Manager, indicating a formal hierarchical structure within the design function.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires extensive interaction with sales representatives, customers, purchasing, and tooling personnel, highlighting a highly collaborative environment focused on project completion.

• Manufacturing Integration: The design team is embedded within or closely connected to manufacturing operations, requiring a practical understanding of production realities.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Design: The primary methodology revolves around understanding and meeting customer requirements to support sales objectives and customer success.

• Data-Driven Specifications: Emphasis on maintaining detailed CAD specifications and print information underscores a reliance on precise data for production.

• Process Optimization: The role emphasizes manufacturability, quality, and efficiency, suggesting a continuous improvement mindset in design and production processes.

• Sustainability Focus: The company's strong commitment to recycling and environmental sustainability is likely integrated into design considerations.

Company Website: https://myjobs.adp.com/prattexternalcareersite/cx/job-listing (This appears to be a careers portal link, not the main company website, but serves as the entry point for applications).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context highlights a large, established manufacturing firm with a strong environmental mission. For a designer, this means working within a structured, process-oriented environment that values efficiency, quality, and customer needs. The "green collar" aspect suggests a workforce focused on sustainable practices, which can be a significant cultural differentiator.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level designer (implied 2-5 years experience). It involves significant responsibility for design execution, prototyping, and client-facing collaboration, bridging creative design with practical manufacturing outcomes. It is not an entry-level position but also not a senior leadership role.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Design Manager and potentially the General Manager. This suggests direct supervision and clear lines of accountability within the design department.

Operations Impact: The Structural & Graphic Designer plays a crucial role in the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by developing packaging and display solutions that directly influence sales growth and customer success. Their designs impact product appeal, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and ultimately, the customer's perception of Pratt Industries. Efficient and innovative designs can lead to increased sales, reduced production costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Designer/Specialist: Progression to a senior role focusing on more complex projects, client accounts, or specific areas of packaging design (e.g., structural engineering, advanced graphics).

• Design Team Lead/Manager: With demonstrated leadership, project management, and collaboration skills, potential to move into a supervisory role managing a team of designers.

• Cross-Functional Transfer: Opportunities to move into roles in Sales Support, Product Development, or even Production Management, leveraging their deep understanding of packaging design and manufacturing constraints.

• Continuous Learning: The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation likely provides opportunities to learn about new materials, manufacturing technologies, and design software, keeping skills current.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth analysis is based on typical career progression for design roles within large manufacturing companies. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and impact on sales growth positions this as a valuable role for career advancement within the broader GTM and operations functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, requiring full-time presence at the Cypress, Texas facility. This indicates a blend of office-based design work and hands-on activity in a manufacturing setting.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is 14415 Fallbrook Road, Cypress, Texas 77429. This is a specific manufacturing facility.

Workspace Context:

• Design Studio: Likely equipped with specialized design software (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite), 3D rendering tools, and potentially access to design workstations.

• Prototyping Area: Access to a Kongsberg CAD table and fabrication tools for creating physical samples and prototypes. This involves hands-on work.

• Manufacturing Floor Exposure: Regular interaction with or proximity to the manufacturing floor, which involves exposure to machinery, noise, and production environments.

• Collaborative Spaces: Opportunities to interact with sales representatives, production staff, and management, necessitating effective communication and teamwork.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is implied, typical for full-time roles in manufacturing. The nature of design and production deadlines may occasionally require flexibility or focused effort to meet project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial. It emphasizes the hands-on nature of the role, involving not just digital design but also physical prototyping and interaction with the manufacturing environment, which is common for operational design roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and alignment with job requirements.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discuss their design process, and potentially tackle a small design challenge or case study related to packaging. This is where proficiency in ArtiosCAD and Adobe Creative Suite will be deeply evaluated.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions assessing problem-solving abilities, collaboration skills, communication style, and fit with Pratt Industries' culture (e.g., safety, sustainability, teamwork).

• Meet the Team/Management: Interviews with the Design Manager, General Manager, and potentially key stakeholders from sales or production to evaluate team fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or complexity. Start with your strongest, most relevant work.

• Showcase the Process: For each project, don't just show the final design. Explain the problem, your design approach, the tools and techniques used (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite), and the outcome or impact.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples where you collaborated with sales or production teams and how that collaboration led to a better outcome.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Clearly show your skills with ArtiosCAD for structural design and Adobe Creative Suite for graphics. Include detailed CAD drawings and renderings.

• Quantify Results: Where possible, articulate the impact of your designs – e.g., improved manufacturability, customer satisfaction, sales support.

• Tailor to Pratt: Research Pratt Industries' product range and sustainability initiatives. If you have relevant experience, highlight it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a practical design task. This might involve creating a structural concept for a specific product, adapting an existing design, or solving a common packaging problem within a time limit. Focus on demonstrating your understanding of ArtiosCAD and manufacturability.

• Process Walkthrough: Be ready to explain your typical design workflow, from receiving a brief to delivering final files, emphasizing documentation and collaboration steps.

• Tooling & Production Questions: Anticipate questions about your understanding of tooling requirements, printing processes, and production feasibility in a corrugated packaging context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process and portfolio review are critical for this role. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical skills in specific software (ArtiosCAD, Adobe), understanding the manufacturing context, and showcasing a collaborative approach. The portfolio is not just a showcase but a demonstration of the candidate's process and problem-solving abilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Structural Design Software: ArtiosCAD (essential), Kongsberg CAD Table (for prototyping).

• Graphic Design Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign are highly likely).

• 3D Rendering Software: Proficiency in software for creating realistic visualizations of packaging concepts (e.g., Adobe Dimension, Keyshot, or integrated ArtiosCAD rendering).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned as primary tools for this role, understanding how designs are evaluated against production metrics (e.g., material usage, waste, throughput) would be beneficial. This implies awareness of manufacturing data reporting. CRM & Automation:

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): While designers typically don't manage CRMs directly, understanding how sales teams use CRM data to inform design requests (e.g., understanding customer needs, sales targets) is valuable for collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools for tracking project progress, deadlines, and task assignments (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira, or internal company systems) would be advantageous for managing multiple projects.

• File Management & Collaboration: Systems for storing, sharing, and versioning design files (e.g., shared drives, cloud storage like Dropbox/Google Drive, or PDM/PLM systems if used by Pratt).

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the core technical requirements. ArtiosCAD and Adobe Creative Suite are non-negotiable. The Kongsberg CAD table is a key piece of equipment for prototyping. Understanding how these tools integrate into a broader manufacturing and GTM workflow is important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Safety First: A paramount value in manufacturing, requiring strict adherence to safety policies and procedures in design and prototyping activities.

• Quality Assurance: Commitment to delivering designs that meet high standards for customer satisfaction and production integrity.

• Operational Efficiency: Focus on creating designs that are manufacturable, cost-effective, and meet deadlines, contributing to overall business efficiency.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouragement to develop novel packaging and display solutions that meet evolving customer needs and market trends.

• Sustainability: A strong company ethos, expecting designers to consider environmental impact and contribute to recycling and resource efficiency goals.

• Teamwork & Collaboration: Emphasis on working effectively with various departments (sales, production, purchasing) to achieve collective goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role necessitates close collaboration with sales for understanding client needs and with production for ensuring manufacturability. This requires clear, open, and proactive communication.

• Process Review & Feedback: A culture where designs are reviewed by multiple stakeholders, and constructive feedback is exchanged to optimize solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement to share best practices, new design techniques, and insights from customer interactions or production challenges to foster collective improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values strongly reflect a manufacturing environment with a specific emphasis on safety, quality, and efficiency, overlaid with Pratt Industries' commitment to sustainability. The collaboration style is clearly defined by the need to bridge design with sales and production.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Freedom with Production Constraints: The primary challenge will be to develop innovative and appealing designs that are also feasible, cost-effective, and manufacturable within Pratt Industries' existing capabilities and material costs.

• Meeting Tight Deadlines: The fast-paced manufacturing environment and customer demands will require efficient workflow management and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively under pressure.

• Interpreting Diverse Customer Needs: Translating varied and sometimes ambiguous customer requests into concrete, actionable design specifications.

• Staying Current with Technology: Keeping pace with advancements in CAD software, 3D rendering, and packaging materials/technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

• Cross-Departmental Communication: Effectively communicating technical design aspects to non-technical stakeholders (e.g., sales) and understanding production feedback to refine designs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and potentially explore new 3D visualization or simulation tools.

• Industry Certifications: Pursuing certifications related to packaging design, materials, or manufacturing processes.

• Material Science & Sustainability: Learning about new packaging materials, sustainable alternatives, and their implications for design and production.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced designers, managers, or professionals in related departments (sales, production).

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Participating in or leading projects focused on optimizing the design-to-production workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the practical realities of a GTM-adjacent design role in manufacturing. The growth opportunities focus on skill enhancement and career progression within the specialized field of packaging design and its operational integration.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process & Tooling: "Describe your process for taking a packaging design from initial concept to final production-ready files, detailing your use of ArtiosCAD and how you ensure manufacturability." (Focus on workflow, technical steps, and understanding of production.)

• Collaboration & Problem-Solving: "Walk me through a time you had to collaborate with a sales team or a customer to resolve a challenging packaging design requirement. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome?" (Demonstrate communication, problem-solving, and GTM alignment.)

• Innovation & Efficiency: "How do you balance creative innovation with the need for efficient and cost-effective packaging solutions? Can you provide an example?" (Showcase understanding of business impact and practical design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Sustainability Focus: "Pratt Industries is committed to sustainability. How would your design approach incorporate environmental considerations?" (Align with company values and demonstrate proactive thinking.)

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal working relationship with sales and production teams. How do you ensure effective communication and collaboration?" (Assess fit for the cross-functional nature of the role.)

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your packaging designs, beyond just aesthetic appeal?" (Focus on tangible results like manufacturability, customer feedback, or support for sales.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": For each project, briefly explain the client's challenge or business objective.

• Detail Your "How": Clearly articulate your design process, the specific tools you used (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite), and any unique problem-solving steps.

• Showcase the "What": Present your best structural designs, graphic applications, and physical prototypes. Use high-quality visuals.

• Explain the "So What": Discuss the outcome, impact, and lessons learned. Quantify results if possible (e.g., "led to X% increase in perceived value," "reduced material waste by Y%").

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Expect questions about specific design decisions, software functionalities, and material choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes demonstrating practical skills, understanding the business context (sales, manufacturing, sustainability), and articulating a clear, process-oriented approach to design. The portfolio presentation is central to showcasing these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Structural & Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP careers portal link: https://myjobs.adp.com/prattexternalcareersite/cx/job-details?reqId=5001219167100

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most relevant packaging design projects. Ensure they showcase your ArtiosCAD and Adobe Creative Suite skills, structural design capabilities, graphic integration, and ideally, examples of prototyping or manufacturability considerations. Organize it logically for easy review.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience with ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, prototyping, and any experience in the corrugated packaging industry. Use keywords from the job description such as "structural design," "graphic design," "packaging," "prototyping," and "manufacturing." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio, explaining your design process, and articulating how your skills align with Pratt Industries' needs for innovation, quality, and efficiency. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.

• Research Pratt Industries: Familiarize yourself with their commitment to sustainability, their position in the paper and packaging market, and their overall company values. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.