Furniture Engineer - Pottery Barn

About the company

Williams-Sonoma

Retail · 10,001+ employees

What you'll do

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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
• 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

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