Fall 2025: Industrial Design Co-op

The Fall 2025 Industrial Design Co-op at SharkNinja involves supporting project leads in both industrial design and CMF processes. You will be engaging in practices that translate consumer insights into compelling product solutions. This includes conceptualizing designs through high-quality sketches and visuals, creating prototypes for internal review, and ensuring clear communication of design intent for manufacturing. Your role will focus on delivering innovative designs while working closely with a multi-disciplinary team, all aimed at enhancing SharkNinja’s renowned product range.

To qualify for the Industrial Design Co-op position at SharkNinja, applicants should be currently studying or recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design or a related discipline. Essential skills include proficiency in CAD software like Solidworks or Rhino, alongside experience in 2D drawing and 3D rendering programs. An impressive portfolio that showcases your design process and outcomes is crucial, as well as strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mindset, which are highly valued at SharkNinja.

Key skills for a successful Industrial Design Co-op at SharkNinja include a strong understanding of mechanical engineering and part design, as well as a detailed-oriented approach that allows you to manage multiple projects efficiently. Proficiency in software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, alongside excellent sketching and visualization skills, are also imperative. Additionally, analytical thinking leading to creative solutions plays a significant role in delivering innovative design solutions that align with SharkNinja's market goals.

The Industrial Design Co-op contributes significantly to SharkNinja’s product development by bridging consumer insights and innovative design. Collaborating with cross-functional teams allows you to help shape strategies for future product development. By delivering high-fidelity designs and prototypes, you actively participate in refining products that not only meet market needs but also enhance the overall consumer experience, making a meaningful impact on SharkNinja’s well-regarded product lines.

The work environment for an Industrial Design Co-op at SharkNinja is collaborative, dynamic, and centered on innovation. Being situated in Needham, MA, you will be part of a diverse team that embraces creativity with a mindset geared towards pushing boundaries. The culture encourages you to take initiative, providing a platform where your ideas are valued and can contribute to remarkable results. The fast-paced nature of the role fosters personal and professional growth, enabling you to thrive in an exciting design landscape.

In your response, outline a structured design process that includes initial research, concept development, prototyping, and user feedback. Emphasize the importance of a user-centered design approach, highlighting how you've employed this in past projects or internships, which aligns with SharkNinja’s focus on delivering consumer-centric products.

Discuss specific strategies you use for time management and task prioritization, such as setting clear deadlines, breaking projects into manageable tasks, and using project management tools. Provide examples from previous experiences that demonstrate your effectiveness in submitting high-quality work even under tight timeframes, showcasing your readiness for SharkNinja’s dynamic work culture.

Share an experience where collaboration led to successful product outcomes. Detail your role, who you worked with (engineers, marketers, etc.), and how you navigated challenges together. This demonstrates your teamwork skills, which are essential for the collaborative environment at SharkNinja.

Be candid about the design software you excel at, such as Solidworks, Rhino, or Adobe Creative Suite. Explain why you prefer these tools, citing specific projects where they enhanced your design process. This reflects your readiness and technical capability for the Industrial Design Co-op position.

Explain your methods for gathering and integrating user feedback into your design process. Illustrate this with a past example that highlights your adaptability and commitment to ensuring the final product meets user needs, which is central to SharkNinja’s design philosophy.

Share a specific design challenge that required creative problem-solving. Describe your analysis of the problem, the steps you took to address it, and the end results. This showcases your analytical confidence and innovative thinking skills that align with SharkNinja’s mission.

Discuss various channels through which you stay informed about industrial design trends, such as industry websites, design blogs, webinars, or professional groups. Your response will demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning, an essential trait for a rapidly evolving field like product design at SharkNinja.

Articulate your passion for designing consumer products, focusing on aspects like improving user experiences and the joy of seeing your ideas come to life. Connect this enthusiasm to SharkNinja's mission of creating positive impacts in users’ lives, aligning your values with those of the company.

Share a situation in which unexpected changes occurred during a design project, prompting you to adapt your methods. Discuss the adjustments you made and the positive outcomes of your flexibility, reinforcing your readiness to tackle challenges in the dynamic environment of SharkNinja.

Explain your approach to maintaining high-quality standards in your design process, such as thorough reviews, user testing, and adherence to design guidelines. Illustrating this with a personal example can show SharkNinja your commitment to excellence in every aspect of your work.