Principal Designer WRMG

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Principal Designer serves as the senior-most design expert supporting White River Marine Groups Pontoon product portfolio and is responsible for leading the conceptualization development and refinement of innovative pontoon boats and related customer experiences. This role provides technical and creative leadership for new product development initiatives establishes design standards and best practices and partners closely with engineering manufacturing marketing and brand leadership to deliver industry-leading products. As a high-level individual contributor the Principal Designer influences product strategy mentors design team members and drives innovation while maintaining accountability for design excellence manufacturability customer experience and brand integrity. While initially focused on the Pontoon category this role may support broader enterprise design initiatives as business needs evolve.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the development of advanced pontoon boat design concepts styling themes features layouts and customer experiences for new and existing products.
• Serve as the design subject matter expert for WRMGs Pontoon portfolio and help establish long-term product vision and differentiation.
• Influence product strategy and innovation roadmaps through collaboration with brand leadership engineering manufacturing marketing and product management teams.
• Research and identify emerging customer needs marketplace trends materials technologies and design opportunities that enhance product competitiveness.
• Establish and maintain design standards methodologies and best practices supporting exceptional product execution.
• Provide technical leadership mentorship and design guidance to designers and cross-functional teams without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Lead design reviews concept evaluations prototype assessments and product validation activities.
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing teams to optimize design solutions for quality functionality performance cost and manufacturability.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking customer research and product evaluations to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Represent the design function in executive reviews customer interactions supplier meetings boat shows and industry events.
• Support strategic cross-brand and enterprise-wide design initiatives as assigned.

ALL OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required: Bachelors Degree
• Preferred Degree: Bachelors Degree in Industrial Design Product Design Engineering Marine Design or a related field.
• Years of experience: 12 years of progressive experience in industrial design product design marine product development transportation design or a related field.
• Experience within marine recreational products automotive powersports or similar consumer product industries preferred.
• Proven experience leading highly complex product design initiatives from concept through production.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITY:

• Expert knowledge of industrial design principles product development processes and customer-centered design methodologies.
• Strong understanding of pontoon boat design marine recreation trends and customer preferences.
• Demonstrated ability to translate market insights and customer needs into innovative product solutions.
• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design and visualization tools.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes materials tooling and design-for-manufacturability principles.
• Ability to influence decision-making and build alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong collaboration skills with engineering manufacturing marketing sourcing and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop design talent through technical leadership and coaching.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Up to 15% travel required to support manufacturing facilities customer research product testing supplier visits boat shows and strategic product development initiatives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Regularly sits walks and works on a computer.

Occasionally stands.

Seldom/never lifts up to 50 lbs.

Additional Physical Requirements:

• Ability to inspect boats prototypes and production environments.
• Ability to participate in product evaluations testing activities and customer ride experiences.
• Ability to work in office manufacturing and outdoor testing environments as needed.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT:

Develops objectives and general policies and procedures for a specific program or functional area of responsibility within general scope of established operational goals and plans. Day-to-day work and decisions do not require direction or review by immediate supervisor. End results are reviewed by supervisor.

Full Time Benefits Summary:
Enjoy discounts on retail merchandise our restaurants world-class resorts and conservation attractions!

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Voluntary benefits
• 401k Retirement Savings
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Bass Pro Cares Fund
• And more!

Bass Pro Shops is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are administered without regard to race color creed religion sex pregnancy sexual orientation gender identity age national origin ancestry citizenship status disability veteran status genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal state or local law.

Reasonable Accommodations

Qualified individuals with known disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process please visit your nearest location or contact us at