Director of Industrial Design
San Diego, CA - USA
Job Summary
About the Team
Illuminas Industrial Design team is responsible for shaping the future of our integrated physical and digital product portfolio. We are a multidisciplinary group focused on delivering thoughtful human-centered experiences across every touchpoint.
Industrial Design operates within the broader Experience Design organization alongside UX research interaction and visual design UX writing human factors engineering and UX development. Together we create cohesive end-to-end experiences that connect hardware software and brand.
The Experience Design department is part of Illumina Research & Development organization driving innovation across the companys global product ecosystem.
About the Role
Were looking for a Director of Industrial Design to lead and evolve our industrial design practice at Illumina. This is a senior leadership role for a visionary hands-on design leader who can operate at both strategic and execution levels. You will define how industrial design and its integration with digital experiences and packaging systems shows up across our entire product ecosystem.
Youll lead a high-performing team shape a forward-looking design vision and partner cross-functionally to bring products to market that are not only functional and manufacturable but intuitive cohesive and differentiated.
What you will Own
Design Vision & Strategy
Define and drive a clear forward-looking industrial design vision across Illumina
Establish and champion a unified design vision spanning physical products digital experiences and packaging systems
Elevate design as a strategic partner in product and business decision-making
Ensure consistency in design language brand expression and user experience across the portfolio
Team Leadership
Build lead and develop a high-performing industrial design team
Foster a culture of creativity innovation and design excellence
Operate as a player-coach providing direction while staying close to the work
Coach and develop designers through feedback mentorship and clear expectations
End-to-End Execution
Lead the design of complex products from early concept through production
Oversee end-to-end product and packaging system design ensuring quality usability and manufacturability at scale
Balance user needs technical constraints cost and operational realities
Maintain a high bar for craft detail and innovation
Packaging Systems design Leadership
Define and drive packaging systems strategy as a core part of the product exper
Define and drive packaging systems strategy as a core part of the product experience
Integrate packaging into the full user journeyfrom unboxing to disposal or reuse
Lead design decisions across materials sustainability logistics and global scalability
Ensure packaging aligns with brand product and operational goals
ience
Integrate packaging into the full user journeyfrom unboxing to disposal or reuse
Lead design decisions across materials sustainability logistics and global scalability
Ensure packaging aligns with brand product and operational goals
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Product Management Engineering Marketing and Operations
Align stakeholders around a cohesive product and experience vision
Influence senior leadership through clear storytelling and design rationale
Operational Excellence
Establish scalable design processes tools and workflows
Manage resources timelines and budgets across multiple programs
Drive efficient execution without compromising quality
Innovation & Thought Leadership
Champion bold thinking and creative exploration
Bring new ideas technologies and methodologies into the organization
Stay ahead of trends across industrial design packaging and connected experiences
What you will Bring
10 years of experience leading industrial design at the Director level or above
Advanced degree in Industrial Design Product Design or a related field
Proven track record of delivering complex physical products and packaging systems at scale
Demonstrated ability to define and execute a compelling design vision across hardware digital and packaging ecosystems
Deep expertise in industrial design fundamentals: form materials manufacturing ergonomics and human factors
Strong experience leading and growing high-performing teams in a player-coach model
Expertise in packaging systems design including materials manufacturing sustainability logistics and cost optimization
Experience working in regulated industries (e.g. healthcare life sciences) is a plus
Strong systems thinking across end-to-end user experiences
Excellent storytelling communication and executive presentation skills
Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners and senior leadership
Experience designing connected or hybrid physical-digital products
Strong command of 3D design tools (e.g. Solidworks Rhino)
Familiarity with UX/UI design tools (e.g. Figma Sketch) is a plus
Understanding of front-end technologies (HTML/CSS) is a plus
Experience/Education:
Typically requires a Bachelors degree and a minimum of 18 years of related experience with 10 years of Management experience.
Why This Role
This is an opportunity to scale industrial design at Illumina shaping how our products are experienced across physical digital and packaging touchpoints.
Youll play a critical role in connecting advanced technology with thoughtful human-centered design while building a team and practice that sets the standard for excellence.
#LI-ONSITE
The estimated base salary range for the Director of Industrial Design role based in the United States of America is: $205100 - $307700. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects longterm growth in the role. Most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience skills location and internal equity. Additionally all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work including access to genomics sequencing family planning health/dental/vision retirement benefits and paid time off.We are a company deeply rooted in belonging promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation Illumina has always prioritized openness collaboration and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay regardless of gender ethnicity or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences increase cultural awareness and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex race creed color gender religion marital status domestic partner status age national origin or ancestry physical or mental disability medical condition sexual orientation pregnancy military or veteran status citizenship status and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local state and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local state and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process please contact To learn more visit: The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants.
Required Experience:
Director