Associate Design Director, Away
Luggage
$150-160k
Offers equity and bonus
Luggage for the modern traveller
Be an early applicant
Luggage for the modern traveller
501-1000 employees
Be an early applicant
$150-160k
Offers equity and bonus
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To transform travel through products and stories that inspire people to get away more.
Role
Who you are
- You have at least 7 years of industrial design experience (luggage, technical soft goods, or hard goods) with a proven track record of supervising/mentoring design talent and supporting successful product launches
- You possess an advanced understanding of complex product construction, material R&D, and manufacturing processes, with an interest or experience in leveraging emerging technologies (like AI tools) to optimize team workflows
- You’re highly proficient in Fusion 360, KeyShot, and Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to guide and upskill direct reports in these tools
- You’re exceptional sketching and 3D visualization skills, with the ability to clearly translate complex design concepts to cross-functional partners and present project directions to senior leadership
- You have a strong ability to balance creative ambition with commercial viability and engineering constraints, ensuring your team’s outputs align with category health and business metrics
- You have direct experience working closely with overseas factories and suppliers, ensuring design intent and quality standards are maintained from prototyping through production
- You are genuinely motivated by mentoring designers and transforming the travel experience through thoughtful, functional, and innovative design
- You can to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%) to collaborate with global manufacturing partners and attend industry events
- You’re comfortable working in a design studio setting, which includes extended periods of stationary work at a computer and hands-on interaction with physical prototypes, material samples, and luggage hardware
- You’re creative and innovative; you love to build great new things that are fresh and unique while staying on brand
- You’re agile, and motivated by a fast-paced and ever changing environment
- You’re passionate about transforming travel for all (but that’s a given!)
- Excited to join the team, but not sure you meet all of the qualifications? Please apply, we’d still love to hear from you
What the job involves
- We are hiring an Associate Design Director, Luggage, to join our Design team
- This position reports to the Senior Director, Design and takes Away further by defining the future of our core luggage category through innovative industrial design, material R&D, and forward-thinking product strategy
- In this role, you will lead the end-to-end execution of luggage design, ensuring every product delivers on Away’s commitment to elevated travel experiences, functional performance, and our iconic brand aesthetic
- You will drive category innovation by exploring new construction methods and sustainable materials, while modernizing our internal processes by integrating AI-enabled design tools and workflow automation
- You’ll execute and contribute to the design and innovation strategy for core luggage product lines, evolving existing platforms while identifying whitespace opportunities for future growth
- You’ll manage the luggage design strategy in executing seasonal creative direction and long-term category goals, in close alignment with the VP and Senior Design leadership
- You’ll translate consumer insights, travel behaviors, and market trends into scalable, production-ready design systems
- You’ll champion elevated product concepts, new functionalities, and disruptive design thinking within the team to push forward product innovation
- You’ll build, manage, and mentor a high-performing design team, providing tactical creative direction and cultivating a culture of technical excellence
- You’ll deliver against a multi-year innovation roadmap through focused industrial design exploration, material R&D, construction innovation, and manufacturing collaboration
- You’ll evaluate and implement new materials, finishes, and component systems that support performance, durability, sustainability, and brand differentiation
- You’ll partner closely with Product Development and Engineering teams to bridge the gap between design intent, technical feasibility, and manufacturing execution
- You’ll manage and continuously improve material libraries, innovation references, prototyping systems, and AI-assisted design workflows to support rapid concept iteration
- You’ll identify and execute opportunities to improve weight optimization, repairability, and sustainability, enhancing the overall customer experience
- You’ll manage the end-to-end luggage design process from concept development and CAD execution through prototyping, sampling, approvals, and commercialization
- You’ll operationalize scalable workflows, documentation standards, and communication protocols that improve clarity and speed-to-market across Design, PD, and overseas manufacturing partners
- You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Brand, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure design integrity and category health throughout production
- You’ll participate in global travel and supplier engagement to drive innovation, sourcing, manufacturing alignment, and competitive research
Our take
Away took on a market that was being ignored by everyone else - luggage - and it's had great success bringing innovation to a product that has been unchanged for decades. With simple touches like adding a mobile charging pack inside the suitcase, it has given luggage a huge overhaul. Over the years, Away has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, navigating industry challenges while continuing to evolve it product offering and customer experience.
With this in mind, the company has focused on strengthening its foundations, from refining its core collection to investing in team culture and expanding its retail footprint. Strategic partnerships with leading travel brands, including United Airlines, have further reinforced its relevance in the travel space, positioning Away as a design-led company continuing to grow alongside today's travellers.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Funding (last 2 of 6 rounds)
Jun 2020
$35m
LATE VC
May 2019
$100m
SERIES D
Total funding: $216m
Company benefits
- Equity & ownership: Be a part of our future through equity options, sharing in the upside of our business
- Paid time off: Find balance through our paid time off programs, including vacation and wellness time
- Health insurance: Take care of yourself and your family through our health insurance offerings
- Get Away in style: Build your travel uniform through discount codes, product stipends, and giveaways
Company HQ
SoHo, New York, NY
Leadership
Jessica Schinazi
(CEO)Jessica joined Away in 2024 as a President, moving into the role of CEO and Board Member in 2025. Prior to this, she spent 3 years at Dyson as an SVP of Business Development and Transformation (Americas) and as a President (Americas).
Salary benchmarks
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