OPT Industrial Designer Jobs
Industrial Designer jobs on OPT require employers to support your work authorization, whether that's STEM OPT extension eligibility through a design-related degree or standard 12-month OPT. Most roles sit within product development, consumer electronics, or manufacturing firms, where degree-job field alignment is straightforward to demonstrate.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Klein Tools, curiosity powers discovery, ownership inspires excellence, and urgency means we run towards opportunities. We deliver quality and innovation in everything we do, designing and launching hundreds of groundbreaking products each year. Join us and be part of a legacy built to last.
Perks for you include:
- Paid Vacations & Holidays
- Profit Sharing & Matching 401(k)
- Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)
- Discounts on Klein Tools products
- Education and Professional Development Assistance
Under some supervision, responsible for providing creative user‐centric concept ideation through the use of discovery research, data visualization, problem framing, sketching, 3D rendering, 3D CAD, and prototyping under the mentoring and guidance of the Industrial Design Manager or higher level designers.
-
Use intermediate theoretical principals and judgment to evaluate and develop design concepts to meet project requirements. Work on multiple product categories with some support from mentors.
-
Assist higher-level designers with high impact design tasks and learn from their guidance. Support the design process of projects under their guidance.
-
Apply design skills, including sketching, CAD modeling, understanding of CMF, and understanding of manufacturing techniques and processes. Creating visual representations of design ideas through sketching or using 3D modeling tool.
-
Problem-solving skills to identify and address design challenges creatively.
-
Understand customer needs and ergonomics with support from mentors. Turn the needs into essential innovations. Attend VOCs regularly and develop a basic understanding of customer needs and ergonomics.
-
Develop industrial design specifications and analyzes the intended use of products to optimize the product function & value.
-
Prepare specific documents to document the design intent of each product and responsible to officially release in company database as record.
-
Prioritize projects to align with the goals of the various project teams under the guidance and mentoring of the Industrial Design Manager or Lead Industrial Designer. Ensure final designs meet product specifications, quality, cost goals, & manufacturing standards.
-
Review the progress on all active projects on a consistent basis and proactively provide current and accurate information to maintain project time lines.
-
Proactively collaborate with associated engineering, product management, CAD designer, & PMM in NPD teams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to design projects.
-
Work with all internal departments, plants and facilities as well as outside vendors of finished goods and suppliers of components.
-
Basic knowledge on graphics design to create product artwork with some support from mentors.
-
Perform other duties as required within the nature and level of role.
Job Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design with 1.5 to 4 years of Industrial Design experience. Demonstrate the intermediate ability to generate innovative design ideas. Problem-solving skills to identify & address design challenges creatively. Good skills in traditional industrial design sketching or computerized drawing techniques. Good technical skills in SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Suite ‐ Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro and KeyShot preferred.
Communication skills to clearly articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with others. Good knowledge using Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PPT, Outlook, etc). Basic analytical skills to understand of user needs and market trends. Design thinking to apply a user-centered approach to design. Strong team focus and ability to work with others, both internal and external to the organization.
Physical Demand Requirements
Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Travel
10 (3 days per month). This role requires international travel; candidates must be willing and able to travel internationally as needed.
Your main focus:
- Quality
- Customer Obsession
- Innovation
- Ownership
- Teamwork
Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For candidates with disabilities and needing assistance, please email us at hr@kleintools.com.
At Klein Tools, curiosity powers discovery, ownership inspires excellence, and urgency means we run towards opportunities. We deliver quality and innovation in everything we do, designing and launching hundreds of groundbreaking products each year. Join us and be part of a legacy built to last.
Perks for you include:
- Paid Vacations & Holidays
- Profit Sharing & Matching 401(k)
- Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)
- Discounts on Klein Tools products
- Education and Professional Development Assistance
Under some supervision, responsible for providing creative user‐centric concept ideation through the use of discovery research, data visualization, problem framing, sketching, 3D rendering, 3D CAD, and prototyping under the mentoring and guidance of the Industrial Design Manager or higher level designers.
-
Use intermediate theoretical principals and judgment to evaluate and develop design concepts to meet project requirements. Work on multiple product categories with some support from mentors.
-
Assist higher-level designers with high impact design tasks and learn from their guidance. Support the design process of projects under their guidance.
-
Apply design skills, including sketching, CAD modeling, understanding of CMF, and understanding of manufacturing techniques and processes. Creating visual representations of design ideas through sketching or using 3D modeling tool.
-
Problem-solving skills to identify and address design challenges creatively.
-
Understand customer needs and ergonomics with support from mentors. Turn the needs into essential innovations. Attend VOCs regularly and develop a basic understanding of customer needs and ergonomics.
-
Develop industrial design specifications and analyzes the intended use of products to optimize the product function & value.
-
Prepare specific documents to document the design intent of each product and responsible to officially release in company database as record.
-
Prioritize projects to align with the goals of the various project teams under the guidance and mentoring of the Industrial Design Manager or Lead Industrial Designer. Ensure final designs meet product specifications, quality, cost goals, & manufacturing standards.
-
Review the progress on all active projects on a consistent basis and proactively provide current and accurate information to maintain project time lines.
-
Proactively collaborate with associated engineering, product management, CAD designer, & PMM in NPD teams. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to design projects.
-
Work with all internal departments, plants and facilities as well as outside vendors of finished goods and suppliers of components.
-
Basic knowledge on graphics design to create product artwork with some support from mentors.
-
Perform other duties as required within the nature and level of role.
Job Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design with 1.5 to 4 years of Industrial Design experience. Demonstrate the intermediate ability to generate innovative design ideas. Problem-solving skills to identify & address design challenges creatively. Good skills in traditional industrial design sketching or computerized drawing techniques. Good technical skills in SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Suite ‐ Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro and KeyShot preferred.
Communication skills to clearly articulate design concepts and collaborate effectively with others. Good knowledge using Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PPT, Outlook, etc). Basic analytical skills to understand of user needs and market trends. Design thinking to apply a user-centered approach to design. Strong team focus and ability to work with others, both internal and external to the organization.
Physical Demand Requirements
Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Travel
10 (3 days per month). This role requires international travel; candidates must be willing and able to travel internationally as needed.
Your main focus:
- Quality
- Customer Obsession
- Innovation
- Ownership
- Teamwork
Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For candidates with disabilities and needing assistance, please email us at hr@kleintools.com.
See all OPT Industrial Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Industrial Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Industrial Designer
Align your degree field to the role description
Industrial design, product design, or mechanical engineering degrees map cleanly to this role. Confirm your degree field matches the job posting before applying, since field alignment affects your OPT authorization and any future STEM extension eligibility.
Target companies with in-house product development teams
Firms with dedicated product development teams, like consumer electronics manufacturers or medical device companies, are more experienced with OPT work authorization than small studios. Prior sponsorship history signals they understand the documentation requirements and timeline.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in interviews
Industrial design hiring cycles often run three to six months. If your OPT end date falls within that window, raise it early. Employers need time to evaluate H-1B visa sponsorship options, and surprises late in the process can kill an otherwise strong offer.
Lead with your portfolio, not your visa status
A strong portfolio demonstrating user research, prototyping, and production-ready CAD work does the heavy lifting in design hiring. Establish your design competence first before discussing work authorization, since hiring managers decide on candidates before involving HR on visa questions.
Research whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Industrial design degrees from ABET-accredited programs are often STEM-designated, giving you 36 months of total OPT instead of 12. Verify your specific program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since extension eligibility significantly changes your pitch to employers.
Prepare documentation showing your OPT start and end dates
Have your EAD card details and I-20 readily available when employers ask about work authorization. Being specific about your authorized period, including whether you are eligible for a STEM extension, reduces uncertainty and helps employers make faster hiring decisions.
Industrial Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Industrial Designer on OPT?
Yes, provided your OPT is authorized for a field related to industrial design, product design, or a closely related discipline such as mechanical engineering. Your employment must be directly related to your degree field. If you hold a STEM-designated degree, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the standard 12 months.
Does Industrial Designer work count as STEM OPT employment?
It depends on your specific degree program's CIP code. Industrial design degrees under engineering technology or product design classifications are frequently STEM-designated, qualifying you for the 24-month extension. Confirm with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility. The job itself must also involve a direct connection to your STEM field to satisfy STEM OPT reporting requirements.
Where can I find Industrial Designer jobs that support OPT work authorization?
Migrate Mate lists Industrial Designer roles from employers familiar with OPT and visa sponsorship requirements. Filtering for sponsorship-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company won't support your authorization. Browse Migrate Mate to find roles matched to your OPT situation.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I switch from Industrial Designer to a different design role mid-authorization?
Your OPT authorization is tied to your degree field, not a specific job title. Switching to a closely related role, such as UX designer or product designer, is generally permissible as long as the new position still connects directly to your degree field. Report any employer change to your DSO within the required reporting window to keep your SEVIS record current.
Do Industrial Designer employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Larger firms in consumer electronics, automotive, and medical devices, such as those with dedicated in-house product teams, are more likely to sponsor H-1B petitions than small design studios or agencies. Asking about long-term sponsorship during the offer stage is reasonable. Targeting employers who have sponsored H-1B workers before significantly improves your odds of a sponsored transition after OPT ends.