Product Designer - Plush

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity: 
Mattel, Inc. is seeking an experienced and self-motivated Product Designer to join its Plush design team. The group is focused on creating new plush opportunities for a variety of licensed products, including Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, Teenager Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jurassic world, Minecraft, Barbie and many more; by understanding the consumer, trends and technology that are then translated into successful product. This involves creating and communicating toy concepts in 2D and/or 3D models to design and marketing management. The ideal candidate will possess proven product design experience showing ability to work on challenging and fun girls’ & boys’ products as well as ideating new concepts.

In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to create innovative and captivating plush toys inspired by the variety of licensed brands. You will collaborate closely with multiple internal teams, including product design, development, marketing, packaging and franchise team to develop toys that capture the essence of brand, while delivering engaging play experiences to children worldwide.

The ideal candidate would have a strong passion for Plush, creative and imaginative, and can thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment while managing multiple projects.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Understand the licensed brand’s identity, characters, and DNA to translate them into plush toy designs.
• Conceptualize, sketch, and develop a variety of plush toys, that reflect the personality and style of the licensed brands.
• Conduct market research and trend analysis to identify opportunities for innovative plush toy concepts and product that appeal to fans.
• Create concept and design renderings, 3D models, and prototypes to visualize toy concepts and communicate design ideas effectively to cross-functional teams.
• Incorporate play-based learning principles and age-appropriate features into plush toys to promote creativity, imagination, and skill development in children.
• Collaborate with engineers, development team, and manufacturers to refine toy designs, ensure feasibility, safety, and adherence to quality standards, and oversee the prototyping and production process.
• Iterate on toy designs based on internal feedback, user testing, and market insights to optimize play value, functionality, and appeal while staying true to the show's aesthetic and storytelling.
• Stay informed on latest technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to innovate and improve designs
• Present concepts, design proposals, and prototypes to design and marketing management, incorporating feedback and revisions to achieve project goals and objectives.

What We’re Looking For: 

• 2+ years of toy design experience
• Adobe Creative Suite proficiency and 2D computer programs
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Knowledge of material and manufacturing process
• Ability to work autonomously and in a fast-paced environment, team player.
• Ability to project manage, and multi-tasking.
• Ideal candidate will exhibit interest and knowledge of current toy and pop culture trends.
• Understanding of features and play patterns in the toy industry is a plus.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong design excellence.
• Passionate about toys and design

The annual base salary range for this position is between $58,400.00 and $92,000.00.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:

We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in more than 195 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies.

Mattel is recognized as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
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