Industrial Designer

About the Role

Tait Communications is searching for an innovative Industrial Designer to join our User Experience (UX) team in Christchurch, New Zealand. The role emphasizes designing user-focused and reliable products that support global critical communications in public safety, transportation, and utilities. You will collaborate with diverse teams including product management, hardware and mechanical engineering, and external technology partners to bring intuitive designs to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with customers, users, sales, and product managers to uncover hidden user needs and identify new market opportunities.
• Lead user-centered design processes, expressing concepts through sketches, storyboards, prototypes, CAD models, and renderings.
• Test and validate design assumptions by creating prototypes, conducting user testing, and gathering customer insights.
• Keep current with industry trends, materials, and manufacturing techniques.
• Help shape and maintain Tait's design language to ensure a cohesive and distinctive product identity.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external engineering teams to convert designs into manufacturing-ready CAD models, mainly using PTC Creo.
• Provide mentorship to junior designers and promote best practices within the design team.
• Oversee the functional and aesthetic aspects of product packaging from a technical and user experience perspective.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will hold at least a Bachelor's degree (NZQA Level 7) in a relevant discipline and possess a minimum of three years’ experience in physical product development. Essential qualities include a strong grasp of user-centered design, the capacity to manage multiple projects both independently and collaboratively, and proven skills in stakeholder management and problem-solving. Excellent verbal and visual communication abilities are required, along with experience working with manufacturing and development partners. Familiarity with design tools such as PTC Creo, Blender, Keyshot, Figma, and Adobe Creative Cloud is important. Experience designing MIL-STD or IP-rated electro-mechanical handheld devices is preferred.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage, annual flu vaccinations, and additional sick leave in the first year to support your wellbeing.
• Access to modern office amenities including free onsite parking, a gym, and café.
• Recognition of your dedication through long service benefits.
• Opportunities to balance work and social life via our active social club.

Company Overview

With over 50 years of global leadership, Tait Communications delivers critical communication networks serving public safety, transportation, and utility sectors worldwide. We are a Christchurch-founded company fostered on a culture of creativity, impact, and teamwork, dedicated to developing technologies that genuinely enhance community safety and connectivity.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to nurturing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to succeed. Applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.