About Giant International (Trading As: Giant Inflatables and Giant Inflatables Industrial):

Giant International is Australia's premium supplier of custom inflatable products, structures, branding solutions and industrial inflatables. Based in Melbourne, Australia, we design and manufacture world-class inflatables for events, advertising, sport, and industrial applications. Our team works with leading brands across Australia and internationally to deliver technically complex, visually exceptional inflatable products.

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $79,500 – $95,000 + superannuation (commensurate with experience)

Role Purpose

This role is designed to transition day-to-day inflatable design leadership from the founders to a new senior team member. The position is responsible for translating client briefs into high-quality inflatable products that are visually strong, technically sound, and ready for manufacture.

As the founders’ transition into less hands-on roles, the Lead Inflatable Product Designer and Technical Specialist takes the mantle of inflatable knowledge and expertise to bridge the gap between client briefs and outstanding product output, ensuring Giant Inflatables maintains it’s reputation as the premium inflatable supplier in Australia.

As this role is technical in its nature, you will work closely with an account manager and sales team who manage incoming enquiries, client communication, and initial brief capture. This role will then take ownership of the design and technical response: shaping the concept, guiding internal designers, validating feasibility, and communicating with suppliers to ensure the final product meets the brief.

Position Focus

Its core purpose is to provide design excellence and deep inflatable expertise so the business can consistently deliver strong concepts and reliable products without founders being involved in the design and development of each project.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design Leadership

- Lead the design response to approved client briefs.
- Develop strong visual concepts for inflatable products, structures, and systems.
- Ensure concepts are both visually compelling and commercially appropriate.




- Provide direction to in-house designers to translate concepts into high-quality design outputs.

2. Technical Development of Inflatable Products

- Apply deep knowledge of inflatable technology to ensure concepts are feasible and manufacturable.
- Resolve technical challenges involving form, pressure, structure, seams, anchoring, materials, and functionality.
- Review and refine designs so they perform effectively in real-world production and use.
- Make informed decisions that balance design ambition with engineering and production realities.

3. Supplier & Production Communication

- Act as the main technical design contact for suppliers and manufacturers.
- Review drawings, specifications, and production details to ensure the finished product reflects the approved concept.
- Communicate design intent clearly to suppliers and answer technical questions during production.
- Identify and address production risks early to avoid errors, delays, or compromised quality.

4. Design Documentation & Quality Control

- Oversee the preparation of production-ready design files, drawings, notes, and specifications.
- Ensure documentation is clear, accurate, and complete before release to suppliers.
- Review production outputs, photos, samples, or prototypes to confirm alignment with design intent.
- Maintain quality standards across all projects.

5. Internal Collaboration & Capability Building

- Work closely with the account manager, who manages enquiries and client communication, to ensure briefs are well understood and translated into effective design responses.
- Support and manage in-house designers so they can develop the designs based on your guidance.
- Help capture and structure the design knowledge currently held by the founders, contributing to long-term succession planning.

Reporting Relationships





- Reports to: Directors / Founders
- Works closely with: Account Manager, In-house Designers, Operations, Suppliers, Manufacturers

What Success Looks Like

- Client briefs are translated into strong inflatable concepts with minimal founder involvement.
- Designs are visually excellent, technically sound, and suitable for production.
- Suppliers receive clear design direction and produce outcomes that match expectations.
- Internal designers are well guided and produce stronger work under this role’s leadership.
- The business becomes less dependent on the founders for day-to-day technical design decisions.

Required Experience/Skills

- Relevant qualification in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related discipline — or commensurate qualified experience in lieu of formal qualifications.
- Significant experience in the design of inflatable structures, products, or related engineered soft structures.
- Strong experience in 3D design and concept development in Rhino 3D.
- Demonstrated understanding of inflatable manufacturing methods and technical constraints.
- Experience working with suppliers, workshops, or production teams.
- Ability to lead design work from concept through to production.
- Proven track record and portfolio, showing successful inflatable or similar project.

Preferred Skills

- Rhino (crucial) and similar (preferred) 3D modelling software.
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or equivalent visual design software.
- Industrial design, product design, or fabrication background.
- Experience with prototype development and innovation.
- Ability to mentor junior or in-house designers.

Personal Attributes

- Strong design eye and visual judgement.
- Deep practical problem-solving ability.
- Calm, decisive, and confident in technical discussions.
- High attention to detail.
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
- Highly organised and able to handle multiple ongoing projects.

How to Apply:

- Apply via this job posting on its relative platform.
- Submit your CV AND Portfolio to: [email protected]

APPLICATINOS WITHOUT A PORTFOLIO WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

📌 Lead Inflatable Product Designer & Technical Specialist (Melbourne)
🏢 Giant Inflatables Australia
📍 Melbourne