Director of Industrial Design at Illumina

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

About the Team

Illumina’s Industrial Design team is responsible for shaping the future of our integrated physical and digital product portfolio. We are a multidisciplinary group focused on delivering thoughtful, human-centered experiences across every touchpoint.

Industrial Design operates within the broader Experience Design organization, alongside UX research, interaction and visual design, UX writing, human factors engineering, and UX development. Together, we create cohesive, end-to-end experiences that connect hardware, software, and brand.

The Experience Design department is part of Illumina Research & Development organization, driving innovation across the company’s global product ecosystem.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Director of Industrial Design to lead and evolve our industrial design practice at Illumina. This is a senior leadership role for a visionary, hands-on design leader who can operate at both strategic and execution levels. You will define how industrial design and its integration with digital experiences and packaging systems shows up across our entire product ecosystem.

You’ll lead a high-performing team, shape a forward-looking design vision, and partner cross-functionally to bring products to market that are not only functional and manufacturable, but intuitive, cohesive, and differentiated.

What you will OwnDesign Vision & Strategy

• Define and drive a clear, forward-looking industrial design vision across Illumina

• Establish and champion a unified design vision spanning physical products, digital experiences, and packaging systems

• Elevate design as a strategic partner in product and business decision-making

• Ensure consistency in design language, brand expression, and user experience across the portfolio

Team Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing industrial design team

• Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, and design excellence

• Operate as a player-coach, providing direction while staying close to the work

• Coach and develop designers through feedback, mentorship, and clear expectations

End-to-End Execution

• Lead the design of complex products from early concept through production

• Oversee end-to-end product and packaging system design, ensuring quality, usability, and manufacturability at scale

• Balance user needs, technical constraints, cost, and operational realities

• Maintain a high bar for craft, detail, and innovation

Packaging Systems design Leadership

• Define and drive packaging systems strategy as a core part of the product exper

• Define and drive packaging systems strategy as a core part of the product experience

• Integrate packaging into the full user journey—from unboxing to disposal or reuse

• Lead design decisions across materials, sustainability, logistics, and global scalability

• Ensure packaging aligns with brand, product, and operational goals

• ience

• Integrate packaging into the full user journey—from unboxing to disposal or reuse

• Lead design decisions across materials, sustainability, logistics, and global scalability

• Ensure packaging aligns with brand, product, and operational goals

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, and Operations

• Align stakeholders around a cohesive product and experience vision

• Influence senior leadership through clear storytelling and design rationale

Operational Excellence

• Establish scalable design processes, tools, and workflows

• Manage resources, timelines, and budgets across multiple programs

• Drive efficient execution without compromising quality

I nnovation & Thought Leadership

• Champion bold thinking and creative exploration

• Bring new ideas, technologies, and methodologies into the organization

• Stay ahead of trends across industrial design, packaging, and connected experiences

What you will Bring

• 10+ years of experience leading industrial design at the Director level or above

• Advanced degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field

• Proven track record of delivering complex physical products and packaging systems at scale

• Demonstrated ability to define and execute a compelling design vision across hardware, digital, and packaging ecosystems

• Deep expertise in industrial design fundamentals: form, materials, manufacturing, ergonomics, and human factors

• Strong experience leading and growing high-performing teams in a player-coach model

• Expertise in packaging systems design, including materials, manufacturing, sustainability, logistics, and cost optimization

• Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, life sciences) is a plus

• Strong systems thinking across end-to-end user experiences

• Excellent storytelling, communication, and executive presentation skills

• Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners and senior leadership

• Experience designing connected or hybrid physical-digital products

• Strong command of 3D design tools (e.g. Solidworks, Rhino)

• Familiarity with UX/UI design tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch) is a plus

• Understanding of front-end technologies (HTML/CSS) is a plus

Experience/Education:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 18 years of related experience, with 10+ years of Management experience.

Why This Role

• This is an opportunity to scale industrial design at Illumina, shaping how our products are experienced across physical, digital, and packaging touchpoints.

• You’ll play a critical role in connecting advanced technology with thoughtful, human-centered design, while building a team and practice that sets the standard for excellence.

The estimated base salary range for the Director of Industrial Design role based in the United States of America is: $205,100 - $307,700. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role. Most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants.