Prototype Shop Manager Jobs

Location: Chicago

While most people know us best for the beloved little red wagon, Radio Flyer is always dreaming up FUNomenal new ways to deliver joy to families by introducing new products every year. Radio Flyer is a recognized leader in the toy industry, headquartered in Chicago. From go-karts and scooters to kids’ bikes and the Lithium-Ion Tesla Model S for Kids, our Chicago-based team innovates in every product category we enter and we are looking for talented individuals to join our award-winning team!
For over a century, Radio Flyer has served as the first set of wheels for generations of kids. We have helped inspire creative play as wagons transformed into rocket ships, race cars and airplanes, transporting children anywhere they imagined. Now, with over a billion Radio Flyer wheels on the road, we have introduced our biggest innovation for all the kids at heart - Flyer is a line of electric bikes and scooters, our first ever product line created for adult riders.
Radio Flyer has consistently been recognized as a top workplace nationally and locally, in addition to being recognized for strong social and environmental performance with a B Corp Certification. Our team has received numerous awards over the years including Fortune’s Best Small & Medium Workplaces, Chicago Innovation Awards, People Magazine’s Companies that Care, the Daily Herald’s Best Places to Work in Illinois, and Vault Top 50 Intern Programs nationwide. Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer and grandson of company founder Antonio Pasin, was recently recognized as a Top CEO of 2021 on Glassdoor. Radio Flyer is also proud to have been named a top workplace for women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ community members over the years by Crain’s, Daily Herald and Vault.
At Radio Flyer, we welcome and appreciate all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives — encouraging everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. We are committed to a culture that embraces feedback, collaboration, and innovation to achieve great results and drive business growth. At Radio Flyer we live by the Little Red Rule, “Every time we touch people’s lives, they will feel FUNomenal!”
Opportunity:
The Prototype Shop Manager position will play a key role in the continued growth and success of the company. Working with the Product Development team you will create and build outstanding mockups, prototypes, and proof-of-concept models to fuel the development of innovative ride-ons.
Specific responsibilities include:

• Build and develop a world-class team and to create and deliver outstanding prototypes.
• Lead the development of prototypes of different levels of finish throughout the entire product development process (rough mock-ups, form studies, ergonomic testing prototypes, and finished sales samples.)
• Manage overall vendor coordination including vendor relationships and vendor sourcing.
• Manage project timelines, due dates, and budgets.
• Manage the prototype shop and the fabrication and finishing of all prototypes.
• Mentor and lead the prototype team and provide coaching and development.
• Package and ship prototypes to ensure safe delivery to and from customer meetings and shows.
• Collaborate with Designers and Engineers to brainstorm ideas and solutions to issues.

Qualifications:

• Associates degree or Certificate Program required (Bachelor’s degree preferred), with a concentration in Engineering, Industrial Design, Model Making, or Fine Arts.
• Experience in or working knowledge of consumer product development processes preferred.
• CAD/CAM (Surfcam/Solidworks) experience is a plus, but not required.
• 7+ years experience in a product development or model making environment required.
• Prior experience with consumer products is a strong plus.
• Experience creating models to represent a variety of materials and processes including injection molded, blow-molded and roto-molded plastics, metal fabrication, finishing and painting, 3D printing, fabric construction and wood component assemblies.
• Prior experience in managing a team.

Above all, the individual must commit to our values:
FUNatical Customer Service
Live with Integrity
Yes I Can
Excellence in Everything
Responsible for Success
We are looking for people who live our values and support our vision and mission!
Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.
Please apply online at www.radioflyer.com/careers

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: One location