Industrial Designer/ Prototype Manager

Roles and Responsibilities
A Leading Furniture Manufacturer, situated in the South of Johannesburg, is seeking to employ a skilled and innovative Industrial Designer to lead the design, development, and testing of prototype couch recliners. This position is instrumental in bridging the gap between concept and production, ensuring that all designs meet quality, functionality, and manufacturability standards. The Industrial designer should have technical expertise, and problem-solving skills to drive innovation and deliver market-ready products.

Job Knowledge:
Furniture Design and Ergonomics. Understanding of the design principles behind comfort, support, and durability in furniture, especially recliners.
Knowledge of ergonomics to ensure that the products meet user comfort standards. Material Science and Upholstery.
In-depth knowledge of various materials used in furniture manufacturing (e.g., wood, metal, foam, fabric, leather).
Familiarity with the processes of upholstery and how materials contribute to both aesthetics and durability.
Proficiency in how recliner mechanisms (e.g., manual, electric) function and are integrated into designs.
Familiarity with structural engineering to ensure stability, safety, and reliability in the design of reclining furniture.
Expertise in computer-aided design (CAD) tools like Inventor, AutoCAD, or similar programs to create and modify prototype designs.
Knowledge of 3D modelling and rendering to communicate design concepts visually.
Prototype Development and Testing:
Experience with rapid prototyping techniques, such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and handcrafting.
Ability to conduct comprehensive testing, including functionality, safety, stress testing, and customer feedback gathering.
Manufacturing Processes and Production Techniques:
Familiarity with different manufacturing methods such as injection moulding, metalwork, woodworking, and assembly line processes.
Knowledge of scaling from prototype to full production, including cost estimation, quality control, and supply chain management.
Problem-Solving and Innovation.
Ability to address design challenges creatively, optimizing functionality and aesthetics while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
A keen eye for identifying opportunities to improve existing designs or manufacturing processes.
Having this broad range of knowledge equips an Industrial designer to successfully lead prototype development while ensuring quality, innovation, and efficiency in the production of couch recliners.

Experience:
Professional experience in product development or prototyping.
2+ years of hands-on experience in prototype development, ideally within the furniture or consumer product manufacturing industry.
Experience leading and managing the development of physical prototypes from concept through testing and refinement.
Experience in Furnitur