About the Role

We are seeking a highly technical and detail-oriented Product Designer with strong, hands-on SolidWorks experience to support the design, development, and manufacture of custom products.

This role is best suited to a designer with a strong manufacturing and engineering mindset, particularly someone with experience in commercial furniture, joinery, cabinetry, built-in fixtures, or customised products for commercial interiors.

The successful candidate must be proficient in using SolidWorks to develop accurate 3D models, assemblies, configurations, and detailed manufacturing drawings. You should understand how to translate design requirements into practical, cost-effective, and production-ready solutions.

This is not a concept design or visualisation-focused role. The priority is someone who understands the complete technical workflow, from pricing and design development to production documentation, CNC cutting files, and manufacture.

Candidates with strong SolidWorks skills and direct experience in furniture, joinery, cabinetry, or similar manufacturing environments will be strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Product Design & Development

Develop and modify custom furniture, cabinetry, joinery, fixtures, and other manufactured products using SolidWorks.
Create detailed 3D models, assemblies, configurations, and production-ready drawings.
Convert customer-approved concepts and specifications into accurate technical designs ready for manufacture.
Develop customised solutions using existing product platforms, components, hardware, and manufacturing systems.
Prepare customer approval drawings and technical presentations.
Ensure designs meet functional, quality, manufacturing, and project requirements.

Manufacturing & Production Documentation

Produce detailed manufacturing, fabrication, joinery, and assembly drawings.
Prepare Bills of Materials (BOMs), cutting lists, hardware schedules, and assembly documentation.
Create AutoCAD cutting files and CNC-ready drawings.
Maintain accurate drawing standards, templates, product libraries, and technical records.
Ensure all documentation is complete, consistent, and suitable for production use.

Pricing & Project Support

Assist with pricing custom furniture, cabinetry, joinery, and other project-based products.
Identify material, hardware, component, and quantity requirements to support accurate cost estimates.
Review design details for material efficiency, manufacturing complexity, and cost-effectiveness.
Support projects from initial quotation and customer approval through to final production release.
Coordinate with production and procurement teams to resolve technical queries and ensure designs can be manufactured efficiently.

CNC & Manufacturing Support

Prepare CNC cutting files and efficient material nesting layouts.
Apply Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles to improve production efficiency.
Consider material specifications, construction methods, hardware selection, tolerances, and assembly requirements.
Provide technical support to production teams and resolve design-related manufacturing issues.
Identify opportunities to reduce material waste, simplify assembly, and improve production workflows.

Continuous Improvement

Identify improvements to product designs, manufacturing methods, and technical documentation.
Contribute to the development of standardised product designs, reusable components, and design libraries.
Support initiatives to improve manufacturing accuracy, productivity, and cost efficiency.

Requirements

Essential Requirements

Strong, hands-on SolidWorks experience is essential, particularly in:
- 3D part modelling and product development
- Assemblies and configurations
- Detailed engineering and manufacturing drawings
- Design modifications and production documentation
Proven experience designing and detailing products for actual manufacture.
Experience producing production-ready technical drawings, fabrication details, and assembly documentation.
Good working knowledge of AutoCAD, including technical drawings and cutting files.
Experience preparing BOMs, cutting lists, hardware schedules, and assembly documentation.
Strong understanding of materials, hardware, manufacturing processes, tolerances, and DFMA principles.
Experience supporting custom or project-based product design, costing, or pricing.
Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and practical design judgement.
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet production deadlines.

Strongly Preferred Industry Background

Candidates with experience in any of the following areas will be prioritised:

Commercial furniture manufacturing and design
Joinery and custom joinery production
Cabinetry, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, and built-in storage
Custom furniture and fixtures for commercial interiors
Office furniture, workstations, and workplace solutions
Architectural products, interior fit-outs, and fabricated components
CNC-based manufacturing of furniture, cabinetry, or joinery products

Candidates should be familiar with how furniture and joinery products are constructed, including sheet materials, panels, hardware, fittings, assembly methods, and manufacturing constraints.

Experience in a furniture or joinery workshop, manufacturing facility, or production-focused design team is highly advantageous.

Desirable

Experience with CNC routing, cutting file preparation, and nesting optimisation.
Familiarity with manufacturing materials such as MDF, plywood, laminates, timber, metal, and associated hardware.
Experience with customised products for commercial or project-based clients.
Exposure to Australian manufacturing standards, specifications, or production environments.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who can combine strong SolidWorks capability, practical product design skills, and a clear understanding of furniture or joinery manufacturing.

The ideal candidate can manage the technical workflow from:

Pricing → Customer Approval → 3D Modelling → Manufacturing Drawings → CNC/Cutting Files → BOM & Cutting Lists → Production & Assembly

You should be able to anticipate manufacturing challenges, select practical design solutions, and produce technical documentation that allows production teams to manufacture products accurately and efficiently.

Candidates whose experience is primarily in graphic design, conceptual industrial design, 3D rendering, or visualisation without hands-on manufacturing documentation experience will be less suited to this position.

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants must provide a portfolio demonstrating relevant technical design and manufacturing experience. Examples may include:

SolidWorks 3D models, parts, and assemblies
Detailed manufacturing and production drawings
Furniture, cabinetry, joinery, or built-in fixture designs
Assembly drawings and construction details
CNC cutting files, nesting layouts, or fabrication details
BOMs, cutting lists, hardware schedules, and production documentation, where permissible

Portfolios showcasing SolidWorks models alongside detailed furniture, cabinetry, joinery, or manufacturing drawings will receive priority. Candidates should demonstrate not only what they designed, but also how their designs were detailed and prepared for actual production.

Please ensure portfolio materials are shared only where you have permission to disclose them.