Industrial Designer / Mechanical Engineer for E-Commerce Consumer Product (Pop Filter)

Overview: We are a small, family-owned business developing a customized pop filter for microphones. Our goal is to manufacture this product at scale (likely via injection molding and standard assembly) and sell it across our e-commerce channels, including Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy. We need an experienced Industrial Designer / Mechanical Engineer to take our conceptual ideas and rough sketches and turn them into manufacturing-ready 3D CAD models. Key Responsibilities: - Concept Refinement: Translate our functional requirements into a sleek, modern, and highly functional consumer product aesthetic. - Mechanical Engineering: Optimize a spring-clamp mechanism to ensure strong grip, durability, and ease of use, while selecting appropriate, cost-effective off-the-shelf components (like the internal spring). - Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Ensure all plastic components are fully optimized for injection molding (correct wall thicknesses, draft angles, parting lines, and ribbing). - Cost Optimization: Design with target Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) in mind to ensure healthy retail margins for e-commerce. Required Skills & Experience: - Proven track record of designing physical consumer products that have gone through mass manufacturing. - Expertise in SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360, or PTC Creo (Mesh models from Blender/Maya will not be accepted). - Deep understanding of plastic injection molding and DFM principles. - Experience designing for e-commerce brands or an understanding of Amazon/Shopify product requirements is a major plus. - Strong communication skills and willingness to sign a standard NDA before detailed project files are shared. Preferred Skills and Experience: - Specific experience sourcing or designing with recycled plastics, bio-resins, or eco-friendly substrates - Experience with or understanding of eco-friendly methods of production Project Deliverables (Phased Milestones): - Phase 1: 2D/3D concept sketches and aesthetic variations for review. - Phase 2: Finalized 3D CAD assembly with moving mechanism simulation. - Phase 3: Production-ready manufacturing files (STEP/IGES formats) along with 2D technical engineering drawings (PDF) detailing tolerances and material specifications. To Apply, Please Provide: - A brief overview of your experience with physical consumer goods. - Link to your portfolio highlighting manufactured hardware, mechanisms, or injection-molded products (please do not send purely digital/UI/UX portfolios). - What CAD software do you primarily use? - To show you’ve read this entire description, please start your proposal with the words "Let's build this pop filter!" Thank you!