Industrial Designer - Entry Level

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.

• 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

• 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

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.

• Key Shot or other rendering software
• ZBrush or digital sculpting tools
• Solid Works or other parametric modeling platforms
• Exposure to branding, packaging, or beverage‑related products
• Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 annually (dependent on experience and portfolio strength)
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with 4% company match

Taphandles is an equal opportunity employer.

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