Product Design & Rapid Prototyping Manager

About the position

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 of 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

• 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, and related software and hardware systems.
• Keep all prototyping equipment in a 'turn-key' state—ready 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, and external industry partners and clients.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Post grades and assignment feedback according to published deadlines.
• Track student attendance, communication, and engagement using the university’s 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field.
• 3–5 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.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• 401k options
• Paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start)
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Commuter benefit program
• Opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester