Junior Industrial Designer

What began as a small-scale pottery in 1948 has evolved into a collection of businesses anchored in designing and making. Led by husband and wife, Robin Petravic & Cathy Bailey, we are shaping the relationship we have to the things we own, and the way we come to own them. Across two factories, two clay studios, a warehouse, website, newsstand, and sewing studio, all in California, we’re a diverse team of about 225 employees, on a mission: to create products of beauty and integrity, while designing, manufacturing, and running our business in a way that’s better for society and our planet. Learn more at heathceramics.com.

 

Heath is a unique company that leads by design, does its own manufacturing and sells its own products in its own showrooms. Thus creating a broad and holistic design challenge where we create and control product design, materials, manufacturing, and the narrative environment in which our products are presented.

As a member of the Heath Creative team, this role is focused on the design & development of material artifacts across Heath’s core businesses of dinnerware, tile, and Heath Home. Activities include dinnerware & tile new product development, glaze development, design/color/material development for non-ceramic products, and organization of internal systems pertaining to the above activities. This position will focus on several perennial new product launches within our existing offerings, and may support special projects on a case-by-case basis (clay studio, events, collaborative products/projects, etc). This position works under the guidance of the Senior Product Designer, and collaboratively with the Heath Creative team, who help develop, evolve and execute Heath's design vision. The ability to coordinate and collaborate with others at multiple staff levels and the ability to work independently when needed is extremely important.

This full-time role is based in our San Francisco facility but requires regular travel to our Sausalito facility.

 

_ Understands and has direct experience with the product development and manufacturing process in multiple materials

_ Willing to work hands-on with development in our factories and learn specific technical knowledge of Heath's clay, glazes and other materials we are exploring.

_ Inherent understanding of design and aesthetics and be able to work with the creative team to integrate a high level of design into diverse areas of the company.

_ Works cross-functionally and collaboratively, supports other designers, engineers, and production team throughout the design and development process.

_ Clear, proactive communication style.

_ Ability to take initiative and work independently when appropriate and create, communicate, and implement design processes, solutions and proposals.

_ Quick learner, ability to pick up new tasks or skills easily.

_ Integrates process guidance and design direction from managers into their work.

_ Detail-oriented and organized.

_ Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite software such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

_ Uses G Suite applications to create and manage work collaboratively.

_ 2-4 years experience in product design and development.

 

Product Development

_ Color and glaze development: Explore design intent for new products and support design development and implementation of design intent through development and pre-production.

_ Concept development: Support creative team with research, design drawings, prototypes, or other visualizations. Maintaining clear process documentation throughout.

_ Research for material/vendors, processes, and trends

_ Process development: Explore new ceramic processes and techniques and work with creative team, engineers and technicians to transition them into production. Explore other process outside of our own production and evaluate potential for Heath products.

 

Special Projects

_ Assist the Creative Team with Design and Production of Heath events: concept development and coordination of installation.

_ Assist the Clay Studio with special projects.

_ Heath-driven client work, extending Heath design into different contexts

 

We are committed to your health and well-being. Heath offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees that includes a choice of medical plan, dental, vision and life and works very hard to keep employee costs low for excellent coverage. We do not require an employee contribution for individual premiums, and we pick up a large portion of the costs for dependent coverage. A generous 401k match starts after three months on staff. Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides an additional retirement benefit linked to the long term performance of our company. We offer a generous time off allocation, paid family leave, and of course a healthy discount on all Heath products.

If you meet these qualifications and are ready to be part of the Heath experience, please send your resume and a cover letter that speaks directly to the position.

Heath Ceramics is an equal opportunity employer. Thank you for your interest!