Industrial Designer Jobs in Colorado
Industrial Designer jobs in Colorado are concentrated in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, where companies like Lockheed Martin, Ball Corporation, and Crocs maintain large design and product development teams. The market is especially active in consumer products, aerospace components, and outdoor and sporting goods design, reflecting Colorado's distinctive manufacturing base. Openings appear at every level, from junior designers working on production tooling to senior leads shaping full product lines. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Industrial Designer jobs
JOB SUMMARY:
At Outward Hound, we create thoughtful, innovative products that strengthen the bond between pets and their people. We love creating products that are not only cute and full of personality, but also innovative, functional, and genuinely fun to use - bringing playful ideas to life in ways that surprise and delight customers every day. We are looking for a Senior Industrial Designer to help lead product design and innovation initiatives across our portfolio and help shape the future direction of our brands.
We are looking for someone who is deeply passionate about pets, consumer products, and innovation - someone energized by building meaningful products and contributing beyond the minimum expectations of the role. This role is intended for a highly experienced industrial designer who can operate independently, influence cross-functional decision-making, and drive products from opportunity definition through commercialization.
We are specifically looking for a designer with deep experience across both hard goods and soft goods product design, as well as a strong ability to create emotionally engaging products through character-driven design, storytelling, and brand expression. For this role, you will come with experience combining exceptional design judgment with strong business awareness, manufacturing expertise, and the ability to lead at a systems level.
Work Performed:
Tasks:
DESIGN
- Exceptional storytelling skills - clearly communicating vision, impact, and rationale to leaders and partners
- Strong ability to create emotionally engaging, character-driven products with broad consumer appeal, particularly for female-driven purchasing audiences
- Design across multiple pet categories, including both dog and cat products, spanning a portfolio of distinct brands
- Ability to design cohesive products across plush, textiles, molded toys, and hybrid construction products while maintaining strong emotional appeal, functionality, and manufacturable execution
- Strong understanding of form, proportion, usability, and emotional product experience
- Strong eye for color, print/pattern and material finish, with the ability to create cohesive palettes and make thoughtful color choices that enhance brand identity and visual appeal
- Ability to distinguish between meaningful innovation and unnecessary complexity
- Create initial tech pack drawings for handoff to soft goods development team and suppliers
- Maintain and develop brand identity via the established visual design language
- Hold consistent high standards of design refinement and detail resolution
- Experience with safety-focused product design for toys and accessories. Able to integrate consumer safety standards and risk mitigation throughout the design process, while partnering closely with Product Integrity (PI) teams to evaluate materials, testing protocols, and product performance to ensure safe, compliant, and durable products
- Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility by quickly shifting between projects, evolving business priorities, and cross-functional needs while maintaining high-quality design execution and collaboration across teams
- Comfortable handling detailed, repetitive production tasks at times
LEADERSHIP, AUTONOMY, COMMUNICATION
- Independently drive momentum and product design initiatives with minimal day to day direction or oversight in fast-moving environments
- Proactively identify risks, gaps, and development challenges before they escalate
- Bring forward solutions, recommendations, and clear decision-making rationale
- Consistently deliver high-quality work on schedule through strong prioritization, proactive communication, and disciplined time management
- Identify opportunities for innovation before they are formally defined
- Partner with VP to lead ideation efforts that push beyond incremental improvements toward meaningful product innovation. Bring a strong, consistent point of view on trends, play patterns, consumer behavior, and future product opportunities
- Actively identify whitespace opportunities, emerging consumer needs, and unmet market opportunities across categories
- Contribute original thinking that helps shape category direction and long-term portfolio growth
- Operate as a creative force within the organization, consistently generating new product concepts, systems, and experiences
- Skilled at effectively managing upward communication
- Understanding that successful product development requires both creative innovation and consistent execution, with the ability to stay engaged through refinement, problem-solving, and production details
- Thrive in a fast paced product development environment with the resilience, initiative, and work ethic needed to push projects forward and deliver exceptional results
- Influence design outcomes through mentoring other design stafF
- Consistently bring a positive, enthusiastic attitude to the team, collaborate well with others, and follow specific direction effectively
- KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Design storytelling and visual communication
- Injection molding design principles
- DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly)
- Plastics material selections
- Tooling and manufacturing process knowledge
- Durability and performance-driven product design
- Cost-conscious design and development collaboration
- Prototype evaluation and iterative refinement
- Soft goods construction methods
- Plush and textile product development
- Fabric/material specification and sourcing
- Hybrid soft/hard goods integration
- Trim, embroidery, appliqué, and character detailing
- CAD modeling (Fusion 360 preferred)
- 3D printing skillset
- Knowledge of AI tools used to expedite workflow
- Rapid prototyping
- Keyshot or equivalent rendering software
- Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
- Physical prototyping and model-making
- Personal interest and experience as a pet owner is a plus
- Familiarity with IP/patent process is a plus
Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in Industrial or Toy Design required
Years of experience: 6+ years of Design experience required; experience in Consumer Products preferred
Salary range: $105,000-$125,000 Depending on experience
Our Benefits (for full-time employees)
- Medical / Dental / Vision/Accident
- HSA
- 401K & 100% Employer Match (Fully vested after 1 year)
- Flexible Paid Time Off (includes vacation and sick time)
- Paid Family Leave
- Basic Term Life and AD&D (Employer Paid)
- Voluntary Term Life and AD&D
- Pet Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Annual Bonus Potential
We invite all candidates to apply!
Outward Hound is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and we strive to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all our employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.
JOB SUMMARY:
At Outward Hound, we create thoughtful, innovative products that strengthen the bond between pets and their people. We love creating products that are not only cute and full of personality, but also innovative, functional, and genuinely fun to use - bringing playful ideas to life in ways that surprise and delight customers every day. We are looking for a Senior Industrial Designer to help lead product design and innovation initiatives across our portfolio and help shape the future direction of our brands.
We are looking for someone who is deeply passionate about pets, consumer products, and innovation - someone energized by building meaningful products and contributing beyond the minimum expectations of the role. This role is intended for a highly experienced industrial designer who can operate independently, influence cross-functional decision-making, and drive products from opportunity definition through commercialization.
We are specifically looking for a designer with deep experience across both hard goods and soft goods product design, as well as a strong ability to create emotionally engaging products through character-driven design, storytelling, and brand expression. For this role, you will come with experience combining exceptional design judgment with strong business awareness, manufacturing expertise, and the ability to lead at a systems level.
Work Performed:
Tasks:
DESIGN
- Exceptional storytelling skills - clearly communicating vision, impact, and rationale to leaders and partners
- Strong ability to create emotionally engaging, character-driven products with broad consumer appeal, particularly for female-driven purchasing audiences
- Design across multiple pet categories, including both dog and cat products, spanning a portfolio of distinct brands
- Ability to design cohesive products across plush, textiles, molded toys, and hybrid construction products while maintaining strong emotional appeal, functionality, and manufacturable execution
- Strong understanding of form, proportion, usability, and emotional product experience
- Strong eye for color, print/pattern and material finish, with the ability to create cohesive palettes and make thoughtful color choices that enhance brand identity and visual appeal
- Ability to distinguish between meaningful innovation and unnecessary complexity
- Create initial tech pack drawings for handoff to soft goods development team and suppliers
- Maintain and develop brand identity via the established visual design language
- Hold consistent high standards of design refinement and detail resolution
- Experience with safety-focused product design for toys and accessories. Able to integrate consumer safety standards and risk mitigation throughout the design process, while partnering closely with Product Integrity (PI) teams to evaluate materials, testing protocols, and product performance to ensure safe, compliant, and durable products
- Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility by quickly shifting between projects, evolving business priorities, and cross-functional needs while maintaining high-quality design execution and collaboration across teams
- Comfortable handling detailed, repetitive production tasks at times
LEADERSHIP, AUTONOMY, COMMUNICATION
- Independently drive momentum and product design initiatives with minimal day to day direction or oversight in fast-moving environments
- Proactively identify risks, gaps, and development challenges before they escalate
- Bring forward solutions, recommendations, and clear decision-making rationale
- Consistently deliver high-quality work on schedule through strong prioritization, proactive communication, and disciplined time management
- Identify opportunities for innovation before they are formally defined
- Partner with VP to lead ideation efforts that push beyond incremental improvements toward meaningful product innovation. Bring a strong, consistent point of view on trends, play patterns, consumer behavior, and future product opportunities
- Actively identify whitespace opportunities, emerging consumer needs, and unmet market opportunities across categories
- Contribute original thinking that helps shape category direction and long-term portfolio growth
- Operate as a creative force within the organization, consistently generating new product concepts, systems, and experiences
- Skilled at effectively managing upward communication
- Understanding that successful product development requires both creative innovation and consistent execution, with the ability to stay engaged through refinement, problem-solving, and production details
- Thrive in a fast paced product development environment with the resilience, initiative, and work ethic needed to push projects forward and deliver exceptional results
- Influence design outcomes through mentoring other design stafF
- Consistently bring a positive, enthusiastic attitude to the team, collaborate well with others, and follow specific direction effectively
- KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Design storytelling and visual communication
- Injection molding design principles
- DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturing & Assembly)
- Plastics material selections
- Tooling and manufacturing process knowledge
- Durability and performance-driven product design
- Cost-conscious design and development collaboration
- Prototype evaluation and iterative refinement
- Soft goods construction methods
- Plush and textile product development
- Fabric/material specification and sourcing
- Hybrid soft/hard goods integration
- Trim, embroidery, appliqué, and character detailing
- CAD modeling (Fusion 360 preferred)
- 3D printing skillset
- Knowledge of AI tools used to expedite workflow
- Rapid prototyping
- Keyshot or equivalent rendering software
- Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
- Physical prototyping and model-making
- Personal interest and experience as a pet owner is a plus
- Familiarity with IP/patent process is a plus
Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in Industrial or Toy Design required
Years of experience: 6+ years of Design experience required; experience in Consumer Products preferred
Salary range: $105,000-$125,000 Depending on experience
Our Benefits (for full-time employees)
- Medical / Dental / Vision/Accident
- HSA
- 401K & 100% Employer Match (Fully vested after 1 year)
- Flexible Paid Time Off (includes vacation and sick time)
- Paid Family Leave
- Basic Term Life and AD&D (Employer Paid)
- Voluntary Term Life and AD&D
- Pet Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Annual Bonus Potential
We invite all candidates to apply!
Outward Hound is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and we strive to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all our employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.
See All 12 Industrial Designer Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Industrial Designer JobsIndustrial Designer Jobs by City in Colorado
Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Industrial Designer Job Market in Colorado
A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Colorado Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in industrial designer jobs across Colorado.
- Bachelor's degree in industrial design, product design, or a related engineering field
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, or CATIA
- Portfolio demonstrating full product development cycles from concept through production
- Experience with prototyping methods including CNC machining, 3D printing, and model making
- Familiarity with design for manufacturing principles and materials selection
- Ability to collaborate with engineering, marketing, and supply chain teams on product launches
Industrial Designer Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a industrial designer in Colorado?
Industrial design is not a state-licensed profession in Colorado, so there is no board exam or registration required to work here. Most employers expect a bachelor's degree in industrial design or a closely related field from an accredited program. Colorado-based programs at institutions like the University of Colorado Denver and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design are well recognized by local employers. A strong portfolio of original work is the most decisive credential in the Colorado hiring process.
How much do industrial designers make in Colorado?
Industrial designers in Colorado earn a median of about $90,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $39,710 for the lowest 10% to over $137,320 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire industrial designers in Colorado?
Employers hiring industrial designers in Colorado right now include Sargent & Lundy, Kiewit Corporation, and Outward Hound, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Colorado's mix of aerospace contractors, consumer goods brands, and outdoor product companies creates consistent demand for designers who can work across both technical and lifestyle-oriented product categories.
Which Colorado cities have the most industrial designer jobs?
Englewood, Lone Tree, and Denver are the Colorado cities with the most industrial designer openings. Denver anchors the market as the state's largest metropolitan area, home to corporate headquarters and a dense cluster of product and manufacturing firms, while Boulder draws design talent through its concentration of consumer technology and outdoor industry brands, and Colorado Springs supports roles tied to its large aerospace and defense contractor presence.
Are there remote industrial designer jobs in Colorado?
Yes, but they are rare. Industrial design work frequently involves physical prototyping, lab access, and on-site collaboration with engineering teams, which limits full remote arrangements. About 80% of industrial designer openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, making it a smaller share than in purely digital fields. The tasks most likely to allow remote or hybrid schedules are early-stage concepting, CAD modeling, and design documentation.
How can I get hired as a industrial designer in Colorado with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior or associate designer roles at Colorado consumer goods and outdoor product companies, where new-grad hiring is more common than in aerospace. Crocs and several Boulder-area sporting goods brands regularly bring on recent graduates for product development support roles. Building a portfolio with self-initiated projects or university work is essential, and completing a product design internship before graduating gives candidates a meaningful advantage. Adjacent roles in design research or model making can also serve as a stepping stone into a full design position.
Where can I find and apply to industrial designer jobs in Colorado?
You can find and apply to industrial designer jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 Industrial Designer Jobs in Colorado
Find roles in Colorado that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Industrial Designer Jobs