Industrial Designer

Role Overview

The post holder will be responsible for focusing on creating innovative, ergonomic, and aesthetically appealing designs for Business & First-Class aircraft seating. This role requires balancing functionality, safety, and compliance with stringent aerospace standards while delivering innovative designs that enhance passenger experience.

• Concept Development:
  Design and develop premium aircraft seating products that meet customer needs and regulatory requirements, continuously monitoring industry trends and competitor benchmarking.
• Compliance & Safety:
  Ensure all designs adhere to aerospace safety standards, certifications, and material specifications.
• Material & Manufacturing:
  Select lightweight, durable materials suitable for aerospace applications and collaborate with engineering teams to ensure manufacturability. Collaborate with CMF designers to balance aesthetics with function for market-leading products.
• Human Factors & Ergonomics:
  Incorporate human-centered design principles for passenger comfort and accessibility.
• Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with internal stakeholders including Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing together with external suppliers to realize ‘World Class’ aircraft seating products.
• Innovation:
  Research emerging technologies and trends, sustainable materials, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Abilities:
  Communicate confidently with clients and internal colleagues, convey sketched ideas, prepare detailed design specifications, work with engineering and visualization CAD, prepare high-resolution imagery for presentations, create 3D prototypes to prove concepts when required, and oversee physical mock-up builds.

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus (linked to company performance)
• 33 days annual leave (increase after 5 years of service)
• 37.5 hours per week
• Flexi time working
• £5,000 employee referral bonus
• Health cash plan
• Contributory Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme – Salary Sacrifice
• Electric Car Scheme – Salary Sacrifice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance Scheme at x4 gross salary
• Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• IVF & Assisted Conception Policy
• Women in Business – Corporate Member
• Wellbeing Initiatives
• Employee Recognition scheme
• Service Awards
• Local charity/sponsorship activities
• Dedicated employee parking
• Discounted gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression

• 3‑5 years in industrial design, preferably within aerospace or transportation sectors
• Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, aerospace engineering, or related field
• Strong creativity and problem‑solving abilities
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills
• Understanding of commercial aerospace and specifically aircraft seating
• Innovative thinking
• Attention to detail and compliance
• Time management under strict project timelines
• Adaptability to evolving aerospace technologies
• Able to travel at short notice

• Preferred knowledge and/or experience in SOLIDWORKS Engineering CAD (23/4V)
• Blender 4 visualisation CAD
• Rhino 7/8
• Adobe Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

We reserve the right to enhance criteria on shortlisting.

Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.

The closing date for applications is the 15th February 2026 at 17:00.

For further information contact