Architectural Product Designer Job

 Primary location: Chicago, Illinois 
Relocation offered: No 
Employment status: Full-Time 
Travel: <10% 
Non-compete: No 

The estimated base salary range for this role is “$67,000 to $78,000” per year.  
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

 ​What does it mean to work at Turf Design, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, product discount programs and many more.
Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
A casual work environment where we have a recognition program for our team, and service awards. You will also be able to make the most of our fitness center and lunchtime cafe. 
A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results. 
​

Reporting to the Manager, Product Development, the Product Designer (PD) serves as a critical member of the Product Development Team.  The incumbent is responsible for the development and coordinated release of new products.  Under the structure of the product roadmap, they lead Product Development with a mindset of ‘design to manufacturing,’ taking their own knowledge of manufacturing processes and efficiencies to define and prescribe best practices in New Product Design including CNC fabrication, assembly, and packaging. 

This role develops detailing for product automation through scripted digital tooling. He/she works collaboratively with the Design and Marketing Teams, developing Marketing’s vision for new product launches, as well as communication of engineering and product limitations, and support the development of architectural detail drawings for product/project shops.

The incumbent envisions product innovation that aligns with the company’s proven go-to market strengths, such as ease of installation, speed of manufacturing, systematic approach to products’ aesthetics, and acoustical performance

What’s in it for you!

• Be a trusted partner to the business
• Networking and Relationship Building
• Ability to be innovative and strategic
• Dedicated training and development to help you grow in your role and beyond
• Collaboration and an open friendly team environment.

What you will do

• Develops new products that meet the company’s standards of design.
• Creates 2+ skunkworks projects per year that will be considered for commercialization.
• Builds and maintains Master-CAD CNC content for all new product development.  Coordinates Master-CAD CNC with the Computational Design Team to enable mass customization via parametric tool development.
• Builds and maintains product assembly documentation for internal training.
• Builds external collateral supporting new and existing product through creation and maintenance of BIM models, engineering drawings, and diagrams for launches and communications with external vendors.
• Coordinates acoustic testing for product launches and evaluations.
• Trains design staff on new products ahead of launches.  Maintains and communicates manufacturing limitations with Manager, Product Development.
• Builds and installs mock-ups in the factory, providing feedback on installation sequence, manufacturing, and assembly processes.
• Supports new product development with site visits to review product, as necessary.
• Supports Manager, Product Development with OEM Development through development of Master-CAD, product details, and manufacturing considerations.
• Supports the Visual Designer in cutsheet graphic maintenance/creation for existing and new products.
• Manages and executes design, engineering, assembly, and install of marketing installations (i.e., tradeshow booths, rep collateral).
• Supports Design Team in shop drawing production and Engineering for projects that require additional product development support.
• Supports Design Team in project-specific BIM model development, as needed.
• Supports new product and R&D detail drawings for the Design Team. 
• Maintains sample CNC cut files and trains Samples on the creation and assembly of new product and R&D sample developments.
• Prototypes of R&D and output from Computational Design.  Coordinates with the Manager, Computational Design on refinements and provides feedback where appropriate.
• Fabricates new product mock-ups.  Provides feedback to Product Development Team on issues perceived with manufacturing, assembly, and installation.
• Executes development work on the product roadmap for Manager, Product Development.
• Assists Manager, Product Development in the development of CNC and 3D-modeled content. Fabricates and assembles prototypes for review with Product Development Group/Marketing Group, Design, Computation and Fabrication, Production, and Samples.
• Facilitates meetings for product manufacturing and assembly feedback from Manager, Product Development, Production Manager, and Manufacturing Leads and integrates feedback.  Evaluates feasibility from technical and manufacturing perspectives.
• Facilitates meetings with external stakeholders/vendors to ensure viability of product development that occurs through these supply chains.
• Marketing Responsibilities:
  • Development of engineering for tradeshows at multiple scales often using recently launched products of which you will have expertise.
  • Development of Marketing Giveaways, concept to production

What will make you successful

• Bachelors/Master of Architecture with a focus/concentration on Digital Fabrication OR Bachelors/Master of Industrial or Product Design OR comparable industry experience.
• 3+ years’ experience working in the architectural industry.
• 1+ years’ experience developing architectural products.
• Experience and comprehension of parametric design systems.
• Demonstrated experience and results in leading product development activities.
• Experience with digital fabrication techniques as well as CNC and/or prototyping experience is necessary.
• High caliber sense of design aesthetic.
• Comfortable in high tolerance CAD/CAM production via CNC, as well as the production of shop drawings.  
• Ability to read and translate construction documents, ideation and form development, knowledge of materials and manufacturing process, firsthand experience in mock-ups, prototyping & mechanical aptitude.
• Able to prioritize and manage multiple project deadlines.
• Ability to manage outside vendors, translate company’s needs, and maintain external deadlines of these resources. 
• High degree of proficiency in Rhino 3D and Adobe CC (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) required. Experience with Revit/AutoCAD preferred
• Ability to develop, document, and produce iterative design prototypes in Rhino.
• Understands how to resolve product issues and displays urgency in advocating for or implementing “root cause” changes.
• General comprehension of digital fabrication in architecture. 
• General understanding of architectural specification process.
• General understanding of building codes.
• Working knowledge of ceiling installation processes, tools, and finishes.
• Capable of taking feedback and translating it into objectives.

What will make you stand out

• Visualization skills in vRay, Enscape, Keyshot, 3DS Max, etc. also a plus.
• BIM modeling experience preferred.

Travel: Minimal; approximaely 5- 10%. Incumbent will be responsible for on-site reviews of new product installations in the event of product issues in filed, providing feedback on processess and providing installation solutions. 

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

1. Office Environment – This position operates in a professional office environment and is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. No PPE is required.
2. Plant Environment – This position operates in a manufacturing setting and can be subject to extreme cold and hot temperatures; uneven walking surfaces with cords, tools, and other obstacles; intermittent loud noises; and dusty or dirty conditions. Required PPE includes hard hat (when required), safety glasses, earplugs, steel toe/composite boots, and fall protection.

Why should you join Turf Design, a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions in the Americas. With approximately $1B in revenue, AWI has about 2,800 employees and a manufacturing network of fifteen facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 150 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.
We are committed to:

• Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
• Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
• Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
• Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
• Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

Armstrong is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce.  As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!