Furniture Engineer - Pottery Barn
Williams-Sonoma · San Francisco
About the Team
You will be part of a collaborative product development team responsible for driving and managing furniture sample development from concept through production. You will partner cross-functionally with Design, Technical Design, Merchants, Sourcing, and global manufacturing partners to bring high-quality, durable, and scalable furniture to market.
As part of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a leader in home lifestyle and retail, our Product Development and Engineering team delivers best-in-class products through innovation, material optimization, manufacturability improvements, cost engineering, and cross-brand alignment.
About the Role
As a Furniture Engineer, you will support new product development each season by engineering construction solutions, developing 3D models and detailed specifications, reviewing prototypes, and collaborating closely with global vendors. You will ensure that designs meet durability, safety, and cost requirements while maintaining brand aesthetic and customer-first functionality.
You will work closely with Design and Product Development, translating concepts into production-ready CAD models and specification packages. You will support Senior Management by tracking key milestones and ensuring deliverables meet the product calendar.
This role requires being onsite in our office Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.
Responsibilities
Seasonal Product Development
- Engineer new product lines from concept through production; create 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings (SolidWorks and/or CAD).
- Lead construction reviews and recommend alternative materials or joinery where needed to improve performance, manufacturability, or cost.
- Support product presentations, providing technical expertise and engineering recommendations.
- Review and provide feedback on prototype samples, ensuring dimensional accuracy, stability, function, and quality.
- Maintain spec integrity through all development phases to final approval.
Engineering & Product Strategy
- Support continuous improvement in engineering documentation, standards, and workflows.
- Proactively manage product calendars to ensure milestone deliverables are met.
- Apply material science, construction knowledge, and industry standards to develop durable and secure furniture.
- Conduct competitor and manufacturing research to identify cost-saving or construction-enhancement opportunities.
- Collaborate with sourcing and vendors to refine BOM costs and meet margin targets.
Team & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Use PLM to manage all development data, track progress, and ensure engineering accuracy across departments.
- Partner with global vendors, sourcing, and engineering teams to guide prototype construction, testing, and validation.
- Communicate engineering solutions, requirements, and corrective actions to global vendors.
- Support development and maintenance of construction standards to enhance consistency and performance across product categories.
- Collaborate with internal partners to resolve construction, quality, safety, material, or performance issues.
Criteria
Engineering Experience
- Must provide an engineering portfolio including drawings, models, and production-ready case studies.
- Minimum 3 years of engineering experience in furniture, industrial design, or related manufacturing field.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Furniture Engineering, Industrial Design/Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Well-versed in designing furniture with cost, materials, and manufacturability in mind.
- Experience with solid wood, veneer, metal, upholstery, and/or KD furniture construction.
- Understanding of interior and furniture trends, ergonomics, and consumer use.
- Experience collaborating with domestic and international manufacturers.
- Knowledge of furniture construction, technical design, and mechanical analysis.
- Understanding and enthusiasm for the company’s brand and product categories.
Personal Leadership
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to multitask and adapt as priorities evolve.
- Highly organized, responsive, and detail-oriented; strong adherence to calendar deliverables.
- Excellent communication skills, both technical and interpersonal.
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with Design, Merchandising, and Development.
- Visible leadership with initiative to drive continuous improvement.
Technical Proficiency
- Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (required); experience with 3D modeling and engineering assemblies.
- Experience creating engineering drawings, technical specification packages, and prototype review notes.
- Experience working in PLM and product lifecycle workflows.
- Experience in Adobe Suite, CAD formats, and 3D visualization tools is a plus.
- Familiarity with CNC design, joinery processes, hardware specification, and BOM documentation.
Competencies
- Strong problem-solving skills; able to balance aesthetic, engineering constraints, and cost targets.
- Business-minded decision-making in support of commercial objectives.
- High level of organization and communication across functions.
- Proactive mindset with ability to influence strategic decisions.
- Strong urgency and accountability for deadlines.
- Ability to collaborate and communicate technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders.
This role requires being onsite in the San Francisco office
#LI-LG1
Our Culture & Values
We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.
People First
Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:
Benefits
A generous discount on all WSI brands
A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
Tax-free commuter benefits
A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
Continued Learning
In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
Resources for self-development
Advisor (Mentor) program
Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series
WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).
This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.
The expected starting pay range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.
| Our Company Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas. |
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