POSITION SUMMARY:

The Principal Designer serves as the senior-most design expert supporting White River Marine Group's Pontoon product portfolio and is responsible for leading the conceptualization, development, and refinement of innovative pontoon boats and related customer experiences. This role provides technical and creative leadership for new product development initiatives, establishes design standards and best practices, and partners closely with engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and brand leadership to deliver industry-leading products. As a high-level individual contributor, the Principal Designer influences product strategy, mentors design team members, and drives innovation while maintaining accountability for design excellence, manufacturability, customer experience, and brand integrity. While initially focused on the Pontoon category, this role may support broader enterprise design initiatives as business needs evolve.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the development of advanced pontoon boat design concepts, styling themes, features, layouts, and customer experiences for new and existing products.
• Serve as the design subject matter expert for WRMG's Pontoon portfolio and help establish long-term product vision and differentiation.
• Influence product strategy and innovation roadmaps through collaboration with brand leadership, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and product management teams.
• Research and identify emerging customer needs, marketplace trends, materials, technologies, and design opportunities that enhance product competitiveness.
• Establish and maintain design standards, methodologies, and best practices supporting exceptional product execution.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and design guidance to designers and cross-functional teams without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Lead design reviews, concept evaluations, prototype assessments, and product validation activities.
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing teams to optimize design solutions for quality, functionality, performance, cost, and manufacturability.
• Conduct competitive benchmarking, customer research, and product evaluations to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Represent the design function in executive reviews, customer interactions, supplier meetings, boat shows, and industry events.
• Support strategic cross-brand and enterprise-wide design initiatives as assigned.

ALL OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Preferred Degree:  Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Engineering, Marine Design, or a related field.
• Years of experience: 12+ years of progressive experience in industrial design, product design, marine product development, transportation design, or a related field.
• Experience within marine, recreational products, automotive, powersports, or similar consumer product industries preferred.
• Proven experience leading highly complex product design initiatives from concept through production.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Expert knowledge of industrial design principles, product development processes, and customer-centered design methodologies.
• Strong understanding of pontoon boat design, marine recreation trends, and customer preferences.
• Demonstrated ability to translate market insights and customer needs into innovative product solutions.
• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design and visualization tools.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, tooling, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
• Ability to influence decision-making and build alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Strong collaboration skills with engineering, manufacturing, marketing, sourcing, and executive leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop design talent through technical leadership and coaching.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Up to 15% travel required to support manufacturing facilities, customer research, product testing, supplier visits, boat shows, and strategic product development initiatives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Regularly sits, walks, and works on a computer.

Occasionally stands.

Seldom/never lifts up to 50 lbs.

Additional Physical Requirements:

• Ability to inspect boats, prototypes, and production environments.
• Ability to participate in product evaluations, testing activities, and customer ride experiences.
• Ability to work in office, manufacturing, and outdoor testing environments as needed.

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT:

Develops objectives and general policies and procedures for a specific program or functional area of responsibility within general scope of established operational goals and plans. Day-to-day work and decisions do not require direction or review by immediate supervisor. End results are reviewed by supervisor.

Full Time Benefits Summary:
Enjoy discounts on retail merchandise, our restaurants, world-class resorts and conservation attractions!

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Account
• Voluntary benefits
• 401k Retirement Savings
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Bass Pro Cares Fund
• And more!