Product Design Engineer (Silicone Product) | Refine Existing Character into Production-Ready CAD

Overview I'm looking for an experienced Product Design Engineer (or Industrial Designer with strong Design for Manufacturing experience) to help take an existing character concept into production. The project is part of an early-stage children's brand focused on turning everyday habits into imaginative rituals. Our first product is a transparent glycerin soap bar containing a collectible silicone character. As children use the soap, they gradually "free" the character through repeated handwashing. The character concept has already been designed. This project is focused on engineering an existing design for manufacturing—not creating a new concept from scratch. I'm looking for someone who can review the existing concept and transform it into a production-ready silicone product while preserving its personality and recognisability. Scope of Work The selected freelancer will: - Review the existing character concept and current CAD direction - Evaluate the design for silicone molding and manufacturability - Improve recognisability while maintaining the existing personality and silhouette - Optimise geometry for visibility inside transparent soap - Recommend improvements for: 1. draft angles 2. wall thickness 3. parting lines 4. undercuts 5. mouldability 6. durability - Produce production-ready CAD files - Prepare manufacturing documentation suitable for a silicone mould maker - Deliverables 1. Production-ready STEP file 2. STL file 3. Technical drawings with dimensions 4. Manufacturing notes / DFM recommendations 5. Any additional files required for tooling Required Experience Please only apply if you have experience with one or more of the following: - Silicone products - Injection moulding or silicone moulding - Consumer product development - Design for Manufacturing (DFM) - CAD engineering - Toys or children's products (preferred but not essential) Please include examples of products that have successfully gone into manufacturing. Questions for Applicants Please answer the following questions in your proposal: 1. What CAD software do you primarily use? 2. Have you designed products manufactured in silicone before? If yes, please provide examples. 3. Have you worked directly with mould makers or manufacturers? 4. Describe one silicone or injection-moulded consumer product you've personally taken from concept to production. What manufacturing challenges did you have to solve? 5. If you were reviewing an existing silicone character before production, what are the first three things you would evaluate or improve before sending it to tooling? Selected candidates will receive the existing concept files before final selection. I look forward to hearing from you!