Product Design & Rapid Prototyping Manager
Product Design & Rapid Prototyping Manager
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$ 75000 - 85000
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Driven. Engaging. Innovative. Do these words motivate you If so then we want to talk with you. Academy of Art University offers a rewarding employment experience for those who excel in a dynamic environment and who can consistently deliver high-caliber customer service. We thrive on ingenuity and pursue ideas every day that lead to extraordinary opportunities for tomorrow. Apply here for your next career!
Academy of Art University is seeking a forward-thinking and hands on Product Designer to lead our efforts in integrating rapid prototyping into the product design curriculum within our School of Industrial Design. This role is ideal for someone who understands the value o physical iteration in the design process and can guide students in translating their ideas into tangible real-world products.
If you have a passion for design making and mentorship this is an opportunity to help shape the future of design education.
This is an on-site position located on campus in San Francisco.
Responsibilities:
Digital Fabrication & Curriculum Integration
- Lead the development and execution of rapid prototyping workflows that support product design courses both onsite and online.
- Ensure prototyping tools and techniques align with a user-centered iterative design approach.
- Serve as the point of contact for student faculty and industry use of CNC and digital fabrication tools.
- Support students in selecting the right tools and processes to bring their design intent to life.
- Manage and operate all key prototyping equipment including:
- 5-Axis CNC Router
- Laser Cutters
- Stratasys 3D Printers
- Handheld 3D Scanners
- Vinyl Cutting Plotters
- Related software and hardware systems
Facility & Resource Management
- Keep all prototyping equipment in a turn-key stateready for immediate use in class or industry-sponsored projects.
- Track and manage material supplies to support ongoing prototyping needs.
- Maintain accurate records of equipment usage maintenance and material inventory.
- Prioritize machine scheduling to ensure efficient usage and high return on investment across all user groups.
- Develop and implement a 3-tier billing and access strategy for:
- IDS students and faculty
- Non-IDS departments across the Academy
- External industry partners and clients
Collaboration & Workflow Optimization
- Work with other departments to build cross-disciplinary workflows that promote innovation and real-world relevance.
- Train student technicians and staff in proper equipment use and workflow best practices.
- Build systems that improve clarity and efficiency in prototyping processes helping students understand which tools and materials are appropriate for each phase of the design cycle.
Analog Shop & Physical Product Support
- Collaborate with the Shop Manager to ensure tools and staffing align with the needs of the model-making and prototyping curriculum.
- Advise students on physical build strategy and execution.
- Assist with maintaining shop equipment scheduling and troubleshooting.
- Support procurement efforts for materials and supplies related to analog and digital shop operations.
Full-Time Faculty Responsibilities: Teaching Product Design
- Teach assigned courses in product design model making and digital fabrication.
- Participate in curriculum development student reviews and departmental initiatives.
- Mentor students on both design thinking and technical execution.
- Provide timely constructive feedback to support skill growth and critical thinking.
- Maintain active engagement in the classroom and online learning environments.
- Support departmental efforts during portfolio reviews open houses workshops and industry engagements.
- Attend department and university meetings and uphold all accreditation standards and university policies.
Instructional Expectations
- Post grades and assignment feedback according to published deadlines.
- Track student attendance communication and engagement using the universitys LMS (Brightspace).
- Support students who are absent or falling behind by communicating promptly and connecting them to appropriate resources.
- Be an active participant in online course environments responding to students within one business day.
- Follow all university guidelines for scheduling communication and class recordings.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors or Masters degree in Product Design Industrial Design or related field.
- 35 years of professional experience in product development and prototyping.
- Proficiency with CAD/CAM platforms such as Rhino Fusion 360 SolidWorks etc.
- Strong background in digital and analog fabrication workflows.
- Experience teaching or mentoring students is a plus.
- Familiarity with sustainable materials and circular design practices preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
Compensation:
$75000.00 - $85000.00 annually
Benefits:
Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance 401k options paid vacation based on years of service (15 days accrual at start) paid holidays paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester.
Application Deadline: August 21 2025
IND123
Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered regardless of age Aids or HIV positive status marital status domestic partnership medical condition or genetic characteristics race or national origin pregnancy religion sex gender identity gender or sexual orientation name change citizenship physical or mental disability veteran status or other status protected by federal state local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process services and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at .
Required Experience:
Manager
Employment Type
Full-Time
