Company Description At Swivel Luggage, Inc., we are redefining the carry-on experience by focusing on comfort, accessibility, and ease of use. As an innovative startup (Pre Revenue), we design luggage that reduces physical strain and eliminates the need to bend, lift, or struggle with bags. Our flagship product supports a wide range of travelers, including frequent flyers and individuals who value efficient, low-effort mobility. We aim to create travel solutions that keep people moving comfortably and confidently, helping them travel smarter and better.
Role Description This is a part-time, remote freelance role for a Design Engineer supporting the development of an innovative new luggage product. Direct luggage-industry experience is helpful but not required. We are more interested in creative problem-solving, fresh thinking, and the ability to transform unconventional ideas into practical, manufacturable solutions than in a specific number of years of experience.
The Design Engineer will help develop and refine product concepts, create mechanical and industrial designs, and translate user needs into functional product features. Responsibilities include producing CAD models and technical drawings, evaluating mechanisms, materials, and components, and collaborating remotely on prototyping, testing, and design iteration.
The successful candidate will be comfortable challenging assumptions, identifying technical risks, and proposing alternative design approaches based on performance, safety, usability, weight, production feasibility, and cost. Experience with consumer products, mobility products, folding mechanisms, wheeled products, soft goods, or functional prototyping would be valuable.
Additional responsibilities may include coordinating with prototype and manufacturing partners, documenting specifications and design decisions, and preparing designs for eventual production. Candidates should be self-directed, communicative, and comfortable working in an early-stage environment where the product and development process will evolve through experimentation and testing.
This opportunity may be particularly well suited to an associate- or junior-level designer who is ready to take meaningful ownership of a product. The selected candidate will have substantial input into the design direction and room to contribute beyond a narrowly defined assignment. Initiative, practical judgment, curiosity, and the quality of your ideas will matter more than seniority or title.
Qualifications
- Strong design and mechanical engineering skills, including Design Engineering and Mechanical Engineering experience relevant to consumer products.
- Proficiency in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools for 3D modeling, assemblies, and production-ready drawings.
- Product Design experience, with the ability to balance usability, aesthetics, durability, and manufacturability.
- Experience with prototyping methods, materials selection, and testing for physical products, ideally in luggage, outdoor gear, or related industries.
- Ability to collaborate remotely with a small team, communicate clearly, and manage multiple design iterations and deadlines.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as injection molding, metal fabrication, and textile integration is highly beneficial.
- Candidates will want estimated weekly hours, project duration, compensation structure, preferred CAD platform, and anticipated start date.
