Director of Industrial Design

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.About the TeamIllumina’s Industrial Design team is responsible for shaping the future of our integrated physical and digital product portfolio. We are a multidisciplinary group focused on delivering thoughtful, human-centered experiences across every touchpoint.Industrial Design operates within the broader Experience Design organization, alongside UX research, interaction and visual design, UX writing, human factors engineering, and UX development. Together, we create cohesive, end-to-end experiences that connect hardware, software, and brand.The Experience Design department is part of Illumina Research & Development organization, driving innovation across the company’s global product ecosystem.About the RoleWe’re looking for a Director of Industrial Design to lead and evolve our industrial design practice at Illumina. This is a senior leadership role for a visionary, hands-on design leader who can operate at both strategic and execution levels. You will define how industrial design and its integration with digital experiences and packaging systems shows up across our entire product ecosystem.You’ll lead a high-performing team, shape a forward-looking design vision, and partner cross-functionally to bring products to market that are not only functional and manufacturable, but intuitive, cohesive, and differentiated.What you will OwnDesign Vision & StrategyDefine and drive a clear, forward-looking industrial design vision across IlluminaEstablish and champion a unified design vision spanning physical products, digital experiences, and packaging systemsElevate design as a strategic partner in product and business decision-makingEnsure consistency in design language, brand expression, and user experience across the portfolioTeam LeadershipBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing industrial design teamFoster a culture of creativity, innovation, and design excellenceOperate as a player-coach, providing direction while staying close to the workCoach and develop designers through feedback, mentorship, and clear expectationsEnd-to-End ExecutionLead the design of complex products from early concept through productionOversee end-to-end product and packaging system design, ensuring quality, usability, and manufacturability at scaleBalance user needs, technical constraints, cost, and operational realitiesMaintain a high bar for craft, detail, and innovationPackaging Systems design LeadershipDefine and drive packaging systems strategy as a core part of the product experienceDefine and drive packaging systems strategy as a core part of the product experienceIntegrate packaging into the full user journey—from unboxing to disposal or reuseLead design decisions across materials, sustainability, logistics, and global scalabilityEnsure packaging aligns with brand, product, and operational goalsIntegrate packaging into the full user journey—from unboxing to disposal or reuseLead design decisions across materials, sustainability, logistics, and global scalabilityEnsure packaging aligns with brand, product, and operational goalsCross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and OperationsAlign stakeholders around a cohesive product and experience visionInfluence senior leadership through clear storytelling and design rationaleOperational ExcellenceEstablish scalable design processes, tools, and workflowsManage resources, timelines, and budgets across multiple programsDrive efficient execution without compromising qualityInnovation & Thought LeadershipChampion bold thinking and creative explorationBring new ideas, technologies, and methodologies into the organizationStay ahead of trends across industrial design, packaging, and connected experiencesWhat you will Bring10+ years of experience leading industrial design at the Director level or aboveAdvanced degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related fieldProven track record of delivering complex physical products and packaging systems at scaleDemonstrated ability to define and execute a compelling design vision across hardware, digital, and packaging ecosystemsDeep expertise in industrial design fundamentals: form, materials, manufacturing, ergonomics, and human factorsStrong experience leading and growing high-performing teams in a player-coach modelExpertise in packaging systems design, including materials, manufacturing, sustainability, logistics, and cost optimizationExperience working in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, life sciences) is a plusStrong systems thinking across end-to-end user experiencesExcellent storytelling, communication, and executive presentation skillsProven ability to influence cross-functional partners and senior leadershipExperience designing connected or hybrid physical-digital productsStrong command of 3D design tools (e.g. Solidworks, Rhino)Familiarity with UX/UI design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch) is a plusUnderstanding of front-end technologies (HTML/CSS) is a plusExperience/Education:Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 18 years of related experience, with 10+ years of Management experience.Why This RoleThis is an opportunity to scale industrial design at Illumina, shaping how our products are experienced across physical, digital, and packaging touchpoints.You’ll play a critica