The Company

At Sterling Products®, we turn ideas that others consider too difficult into practical, manufactured products.

Based in Brisbane and established for more than 30 years, we design and manufacture custom products incorporating metal fabrication, plastics, thermoforming, signage, graphics and security solutions for major Australian and international businesses.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, production-ready Industrial Designer with advanced SolidWorks skills and strong proficiency in both Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.

This is a senior, hands-on position—not a graduate or training role. You must already be capable of producing accurate, high-quality work efficiently and independently.

Reporting directly to the Director, you will take ownership of projects from initial concept through to 3D modelling, client presentation, production drawings and manufacture.

You will work closely with our production team to ensure designs can be manufactured accurately and efficiently. You will also help improve our existing design standards, drawing practices, templates, component libraries and workflows.

We need someone who can contribute from day one and raise the standard of what is already in place.

Essential Software Skills

SolidWorks

You must be highly proficient in SolidWorks and able to work confidently with:

Complex parts and assemblies

Sheet-metal design, bending and flat patterns

Surface modelling

Production-ready drawings

Exploded views, bills of materials and assembly documentation

Design for manufacture

Drawing revisions and file control

Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW

Strong working ability in both programs is essential, including:

Vector artwork creation and editing

Accurate production layouts

Print and vinyl-ready artwork

Clipping masks, layers and file preparation

Client presentations and product visuals

Importing, checking and correcting supplied artwork

Listing these programs on your résumé is not enough—you must be able to use them confidently in a commercial production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Develop practical design concepts for custom-manufactured products

Produce accurate 3D models, assemblies and manufacturing drawings

Create clear client presentations, renders and product visuals

Prepare accurate 2D graphics and production artwork

Design components for sheet metal, fabricated steel, aluminium and plastics

Work directly with production to resolve manufacturing issues

Check drawings thoroughly before releasing them to the factory

Manage revisions, bills of materials and design documentation

Balance design quality with manufacturing time, materials and cost

Manage multiple projects and deliver work within required timeframes

Maintain accurate project, revision and time records

Improve CAD standards, templates, libraries and design processes

Take ownership of design problems and develop practical solutions

Experience with PDM, FEA, 3D printing, costing, Photoshop and Acrobat will be highly regarded.

What We’re Looking For

Industrial Design qualification or equivalent relevant experience

Substantial commercial experience in industrial or product design

Advanced SolidWorks capability

Strong Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW capability

Proven experience preparing production-ready drawings

A strong understanding of manufacturing and fabrication processes

Fast, accurate and productive work habits

Ability to work independently without constant direction

Strong attention to detail and personal accountability

Clear written, verbal and visual communication skills

Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

A practical, hands-on and solutions-focused mindset

Application Requirements

Applications must include a portfolio demonstrating:

SolidWorks parts and complex assemblies

Manufacturing and production drawings

Sheet-metal or fabricated product design

Illustrator and CorelDRAW work

Client presentations or product visuals

Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a practical, time-based skills assessment using SolidWorks, Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.

Please only apply if you are already genuinely proficient in all three programs and can demonstrate your ability through previous commercial work.

Why Join Sterling Products?

This is an opportunity to work on genuine custom-manufacturing projects and see your ideas become real products.

You will have variety, responsibility and the ability to directly improve how products are designed and manufactured within an established Australian business.

If you have the experience, technical ability and drive to deliver high-quality work from day one, we would like to hear from you.