Sr Product Designer - Vehicles (Die-Cast & Graphics)
- Full-time
- Location: California - El Segundo
- Company: Mattel HQ, Inc.
- Compensation: USD 92800 - USD 116000 - yearly
Company Description
CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.
Job Description
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a talented Senior Designer with deep expertise in both real-world and Die Cast vehicle design to join our dynamic product design team. This role is perfect for a designer who lives and breathes vehicles, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and has the skills to push the boundaries of what’s possible in die-cast—from product form to bold, expressive graphics.
The ideal candidate combines a passion for vehicles with mastery of cutting-edge design tools, including 3D modeling, 2D visualization, rendering, and AI-enhanced workflows. You will play a key role in shaping the next generation of die-cast vehicles, starting with Monster Trucks by influencing both the physical product and its graphic storytelling.
What Your Impact Will Be:
- Lead Vehicle Design: Conceptualize, design, and develop innovative die-cast vehicle products inspired by both real-world and fantasy automotive culture.
- 3D & Visualization: Create compelling character/vehicle designs using 2D and 3D medium, Photoshop, Illustrator, CAD modeling, digital prototypes, and high-fidelity visualizations using industry-leading software.
- Graphics Development: Design bold, authentic, and engaging vehicle graphics that amplify storytelling and collectability.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineers, marketers, and other designers to bring vehicles from concept to production.
- Trend & Culture Insight: Stay ahead of automotive trends, pop culture, motorsports, and youth culture to ensure designs resonate with diverse audiences.
- Innovation & Exploration: Experiment with new workflows, materials, finishes, and technologies that enhance design storytelling and consumer engagement.
- Mentorship: Provide design leadership and inspiration to junior designers, setting the bar for creativity and executional excellence.
Qualifications
What We’re Looking For:
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Transportation Design, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3-5+ years of design experience in automotive, toy, consumer products, or related industries.
- Expertise in vehicles—both real-world automotive culture and toy/scale design.
- Proficiency in 3D design software (Alias, Rhino, Blender, SolidWorks, KeyShot, etc.) and visualization tools.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted design tools for concept generation, rendering, or visualization.
- Strong foundation in graphic design for product, packaging, or surface applications.
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly creative environment with shifting priorities.
- Self-motivated, proactive, and entrepreneurial mindset—a natural self-starter.
- Exceptional portfolio showcasing expertise in both vehicle design and graphic execution.
*The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
Additional Information
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!
How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:
- We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
- We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
- We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.
Our Approach to Flexible Work:
We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.
Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.
Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Corporate Philanthropy