Sr. CMF Designer

The Sr. CMF Designer is responsible for following up with local engineering teams and manufacturers to accurately implement the original color, material and finish design intent of Belkin's products. The role is based in Belkin’s Shenzhen, China office, and collaborates closely with our talented local design team and is in on-going communication with the US-based Innovation Design Group (Playa Vista, California). The Sr. CMF Designer is responsible for communication and creative exploration of various methods and strategies to achieve the results needed to follow design intent, and balances it against quality requirements, budget and schedule. Among other areas, specific areas of focus are plastics textures, color matching, painting, metal anodizing, PVD, identifying appropriate materials and graphic applications (e.g. laser, printing, labeling). The Sr. CMF Designer is responsible to help identify new materials, new decoration processes as necessary for each project and to communicate them to the international design and engineering teams for project application. In addition, the Sr. CMF Designer helps to expertly resolve challenging design details by producing prototypes samples, and finally reviewing and approving parts or whole products for production. To achieve this, you will be working closely with Belkin's Playa Vista Industrial Designers, Product Managers, Program Managers, Engineers, the Procurement team, and various local manufacturers and vendors. The Sr. CMF Designer must strive to learn new things, be comfortable with going outside of their comfort zone, and enjoy solving problems while maintaining a positive-active attitude. They must be able to effectively communicate ideas across the globe, to bring alignment through strong verbal and written English and Chinese communication as well as using sketches, renderings, and digital presentations. The Sr. CMF Designer must be able to analyze and translate Product Requirements into an executable CMF design that provides best solutions to the end-user and to the business. The goal is to achieve 5-star user reviews while product cost target, development schedule, and product quality target are met. The Sr. CMF Designer is expected to frequently travel to manufacturing sites, and occasionally visit the US headquarters.

Specific responsibilities:

• Collaborate proactively with US Industrial Design team to understand design intent and goals
• Communicate CMF design intent through CMF design, specifications, and master samples to engineering staff and manufacturers
• Study concepts with Engineers and Suppliers and make necessary feasibility negotiation while protecting the original design intent
• Make sketches, 2D, or 3D design changes to the original concepts and counter propose options to Industrial Designers if needed
• Research CMF and develop strategic and tactical solutions as required. Present reports and materials to inspire the rest of the design organization
• Develop various levels of prototypes, including proof of concept, form & style samples, aesthetic samples, and even working samples as needed
• Gather and provide comparison data for multiple CMF design options against cost, schedule, quality, and other critical attributes and lead the cross-functional team to achieve consensus
• On ODM projects, provide CMF design guideline to ODM designers, review, and approve their work in collaboration with US ID team
• Work with Sourcing team to identify new suppliers as needed for project purposes
• Generate and manage measurable CMF, and other cosmetic specifications
• Review and approve parts/product for production
• Adhere to the project budgets and timelines as set by the Program Manager
• Adhere to Belkin’s brand & design language guidelines

Education and Experience Requirements:

• BA/BS degree in Industrial Design or Engineering related field.
• 6+ years of design experience in the consumer product industry
• 4+ years of CMF design and management experience
• Fluent in relevant software (Adobe CC, SolidWorks CAD, MS Office, etc.), tools, materials (from consumer electronics to fashion), and manufacturing processes
• Highly proficient in use of Adobe CS 5, Excel, PowerPoint software
• 3D CAD modeling experience using SolidWorks, Pro-E, or Rhino highly preferred
• Knowledge of color theory, ability to analyze and make comments efficiently to suppliers
• Knowledge of CMF related specification methods and measurement techniques
• Knowledge of CMF related measurement tools, such as spectrophotometer, glossmeter, etc.
• Knowledge of various CMF application processes (PVD, dyeing, silk screening, spraying, etc.)
• Ability to multi-task in tight timelines with an exceptional eye for details
• Substantial interest in consumer and industry trends
• Excellent visual communication and presentation skills
• Excellent verbal and written English and Mandarin skills
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

We’ve got big collaborative spaces for your big ideas, so bring an open mind and leave your suit in the closet. We all are committed to creating unique and rewarding consumer experiences. Everyone is interested in succeeding – for the team, for themselves and for the business. Cross-functionally and across the company, everyone has common goals and aspires to be their best.

You will learn something new or at least look at things differently every day. There are so many smart and creative people around that you’ll be motivated to pursue the ideal. 

Team spirit is infectious. Belkin is an extremely open workplace, where communication is essential. Not every idea will be accepted, but you’ll be asked for your point of view. Innovation thrives on multiple and varied levels. At Belkin we challenge conventional wisdom and refuse to accept that something cannot be done.

Belkin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer Disability and Veterans. We maintain a drug-free workplace.

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