Industrial Designer – Entry Level

Beer & Beverage Industry | Austin, TX

Location: Austin, Texas (On-Site, Full-Time)

Taphandles is an award-winning design and manufacturing company specializing in custom product solutions for the beverage industry. From tap handles and dispense towers to branded point-of-sale materials and experiential marketing elements, we help breweries and beverage brands stand out where it matters most — at the bar.

We’re expanding our Austin headquarters and hiring an early-career Industrial Designer with exceptional foundational skills — especially in sketching, ideation, and critical thinking. While this is entry level in terms of experience, the creative bar is high.

This is a hands-on, in-office role for someone who wants to turn bold ideas into real, manufactured products — and see them installed in bars and restaurants within months, not years.

You’ll work alongside experienced designers and collaborate cross-functionally with account managers, engineers, and global production partners. We move quickly. We value originality. And we design products that must actually get made.

What You’ll Do

Translate creative briefs into original, thoughtful product concepts
Generate high-level hand sketches and rapid ideation drawings
Explore multiple directions before refining toward strong solutions
Create presentation-ready renderings and visual storytelling assets
Build and refine 3D models (training provided where needed)
Apply design-for-manufacturing principles from early concept stages
Identify missing information and proactively seek clarity
Balance whimsical creativity with practical manufacturability
Support prototyping, sampling, and production documentation
Manage smaller projects independently while contributing to larger initiatives

Who You Are

0–2 years of professional experience (internships count)
Portfolio demonstrating exceptional sketching ability and visual thinking
Strong conceptual skills — you generate ideas, not just execute them
Natural problem-solver who asks smart questions when information is incomplete
Comfortable operating in ambiguity and finding pathways forward
Fluent in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Foundational 3D modeling experience (Rhino or similar preferred)
Deep interest in physical products and how things are made
Open to feedback and able to iterate quickly
Clear communicator with strong critical thinking skills
Permanent U.S. work authorization

We care far more about raw ability, design taste, and problem-solving instincts than years on a résumé. If you can sketch beautifully, think dimensionally, and navigate uncertainty with logic and creativity, we can teach you the rest.

Extra Experience (Not Required)

KeyShot or other rendering software
ZBrush or digital sculpting tools
SolidWorks or other parametric modeling platforms
Exposure to branding, packaging, or beverage-related products

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 annually (dependent on experience and portfolio strength)
Comprehensive benefits package
Paid time off
401(k) with 4% company match

Equal Opportunity

Taphandles is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply

For best consideration, email your resume and portfolio (PDF under 10MB) along with a brief introduction to recruit@taphandles.com.

Taphandles

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Industrial Designer - Entry Level