Senior Structural Designer
Design
Chicago, IL, USA
The Senior Structural Designer is a strategic and hands-on design leader responsible for the development of innovative, retail-focused temporary display solutions that drive shopper engagement and support client brand objectives. This role combines advanced structural design expertise with project leadership, client-facing communication, and mentoring responsibilities.
The Senior Structural Designer leads the structural development of complex corrugated, paperboard, hybrid, and multi-material display programs from concept through production. This individual serves as a trusted technical expert, partnering closely with Creative, Account Management, Production, Sourcing, and Manufacturing teams to deliver award-winning, cost-effective retail solutions that meet retailer requirements and manufacturing constraints.
DIRECT REPORTS
- N/A
SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY
- Manage multiple design programs simultaneously from concept development through production release.
- Act as the primary structural design lead on key client accounts and strategic initiatives.
- Drive project timelines, design reviews, prototype evaluations, and production approvals.
- Proactively identify risks, manufacturing challenges, and cost-saving opportunities throughout the development process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the structural design and engineering of temporary retail displays, including floor displays, pallets, power wings, sidekicks, endcaps, PDQs, and club store solutions.
- Translate creative concepts and customer objectives into manufacturable structural solutions.
- Develop innovative display structures that balance functionality, shopper experience, sustainability, and cost objectives.
- Evaluate and recommend materials, construction methods, and manufacturing processes to optimize performance and value.
KEY INTERFACES (NON-REPORTING)
- Present structural concepts and recommendations to internal teams and clients.
- Collaborate with Industrial Designers to merge visual design intent with structural feasibility.
- Partner with Estimating, Production, Sourcing, and Operations teams to ensure smooth execution from concept through manufacturing.
- Provide technical support during client presentations, prototype reviews, and production launches.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- Create detailed structural concepts, engineering drawings, production specifications, and assembly instructions using ArtiosCAD and related design software.
- Conduct load analysis, pack-out studies, assembly evaluations, and transportation considerations.
- Ensure designs meet retailer specifications, product requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.
- Support testing protocols, including transit, load, and retail compliance testing.
- Hands-on sample-making ability, including confident use of the sample table, hand tools and shop equipment. Plotter operation is a plus.
- Capacity to multitask without losing focus in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Development, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; or equivalent industry experience.
- 7+ years of experience designing POP displays, retail fixtures, packaging, or corrugated structures.
- Advanced proficiency in ArtiosCAD or similar CAD program and structural packaging/display design.
- Deep understanding of corrugated materials, paperboard structures, printing processes, and retail display manufacturing.
- Proven experience developing displays for major retail channels, including mass, grocery, drug, convenience, and club stores.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, including die-cutting, litho-laminating, flexographic printing, and assembly operations.
- Excellent presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects independently from concept through launch.
- Sample-making ability. Plotter operation is a plus.
Preferred
- Experience working directly with major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club, Walgreens, CVS, Home Depot, or Lowe's.
- Knowledge of SolidWorks, Impact, Adobe Creative Suite, and Esko workflow tools.
- Experience leading client-facing design presentations and design workshops.
- Familiarity with sustainability initiatives and alternative display materials.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Retail Display Development
- Design Leadership
- Client Relationship Management
- Manufacturing & Production Expertise
- Cost Optimization
- Creative Problem Solving: Contribute to design standards, structural innovation initiatives, and process improvements.
- Material Innovation: Stay current with emerging materials, sustainability initiatives
- Mentoring & Team Development: Assist in reviewing team designs and provide constructive feedback to ensure quality and consistency.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Project Management
- Strategic Thinking
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, kneel and reach while building samples and working on the production floor.
- Frequently lifts and moves materials and sample components weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Requires manual dexterity and use of hand and shop tools, and close visual acuity for design and detail work.
- Works in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust and moving machinery. Required PPE must be worn.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
- Working conditions are in a normal office environment.
- Successful performance requires good eyesight with or without corrective lenses.
- Requires long periods of time working at a computer.
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