Senior Industrial Designer Role

Metalform is a 120+ strong, family-owned design and manufacturing company with a proud 65-year heritage of building world-class, NZ-made products. From Dannevirke, we design, engineer, manufacture, and export equipment and technology used across agriculture, infrastructure, and commercial industries around the globe. From our Custom Contract Manufacturing Products to our in-house Tow and Fert, Tow and Mow and Tow and Collect Range, our products are designed and built by people who genuinely care about quality, usability, and innovation. We take ideas from sketch to shelf under one roof with design, engineering, fabrication, assembly, electronics, software, testing, and marketing all working side by side. We are looking for a talented Senior Industrial Designer to help shape the next generation of Metalform products. This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys solving practical problems, refining user experiences, and turning ideas into manufacturable, real‑world products. You will work closely with our engineering, production, software, and leadership teams to create products that are functional, visually cohesive, commercially competitive, and genuinely enjoyable to use. What you’ll be doing Leading industrial design projects from early concept development through to production‑ready products Developing advanced product concepts through sketching, CAD modelling, rendering, prototyping, and iterative refinement Designing products that balance usability, manufacturability, durability, aesthetics, and commercial viability Working closely with mechanical, mechatronics, and software engineering teams to integrate industrial design into complex physical products and systems Conducting market analysis, competitor research, and customer insight gathering to inform product direction and identify opportunities for innovation Creating presentation‑quality visualisations, renders, prototypes, and design documentation for internal stakeholders, leadership teams, and commercial discussions Leading and participating in design reviews, incorporating feedback from engineering, manufacturing, sales, and customers to continuously improve product outcomes Collaborating directly with fabrication, assembly, and production teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, cost‑effective, and scalable Applying a strong understanding of manufacturing processes including sheet metal fabrication, machining, welding, plastics, finishing, and assembly methods during the design process Supporting junior designers and contributing to continual improvement of design processes, workflows, and product development systems Managing multiple concurrent projects and priorities in a fast‑moving product development environment What you’ll bring Bachelor’s degree is preferable but not required, equivalent in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field 5+ years of experience in mechanical and industrial design, including advanced CAD modelling, detailed manufacturing drawings, concept visualization, prototyping, and user experience design. Advanced proficiency in CAD modelling using Autodesk Inventor, capable of creating complex parts, assemblies, and annotated technical drawings aligned with industry and manufacturing standards. Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and manufacturing processes, including sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, punching, folding, fastener selection, and precise tolerance management for optimised manufacturability. Demonstrated project management experience utilising Agile methodologies, with proven skills in budget management, risk mitigation, performance tracking, and quality assurance reporting. Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, with experience effectively managing cross‑functional teams, mentoring junior staff, and proficiently using file management systems such as Autodesk Vault. Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, supported by experience integrating market feedback and customer requirements into product designs, iterative improvement processes, and strategic decision‑making. Proficiency in industrial design skills, including traditional and digital sketching, advanced visual presentations, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), prototyping tools (e.g., Figma), and user journey mapping to enhance overall product experience and customer satisfaction. Who thrives here? People who enjoy building tangible, real‑world products Designers who like working closely with engineering and manufacturing teams People who can move quickly, take feedback positively, and iterate fast Those who enjoy ownership and seeing their ideas become physical products used globally People who value practical thinking over unnecessary complexity What Metalform offers The opportunity to work on world‑class, NZ‑made products with global reach End‑to‑end involvement in the product development process A collaborative, supportive team culture built over 60 years of family ownership A modern and diverse workplace with engineers, software developers, marketers, and manufacturing teams all under one roof Real career development opportunities inside a growing manufacturing and technology company The satisfaction of designing products that solve genuine customer problems Ready to build what’s next? Please apply with: Your CV A portfolio showcasing relevant industrial design work A short introduction about your experience and areas of interest Your current New Zealand working eligibility #J-18808-Ljbffr