Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.

We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.

Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.

Role Description

To support Koala’s core category - upholstery success in coming years, specifically on hard technical and innovation challenges, working with Koala designer/product management/quality and our suppliers closely, improve product efficiency and customer experience, and contribute innovation to the upholstery category.

Key Responsibilities

• Take leading technical responsibility roles for assigned projects, including, material selection and specification, construction design & validation and with production friendly in consideration.

• Responsible for packaging solutions on upholstery category products.

• Responsible for making product documentation & specification both on upholstery frame and cover for suppliers to follow in production.

• Responsible for assembly instruction for upholstery category.

• Work closely with Designer, resolve part design to ensure optimal user experience while constantly pushing to minimize part complexity and cost.

• Responsible for upholstery category engineering solution improvement opportunities and implementation.

• Understand legal requirements (and relevant standards) and ensure product compliance

• Work with Quality responsible, to develop and implement in-house testing capability including lifecycle and other performance testing

• Work with Product Managers/Developers to communicate the technical agenda with suppliers and other development partners.

• Supporting Furniture Engineer Leader in technical problems solving.

• Supporting Furniture Engineer Leader on communicating effectively with key stakeholders including expressing the rationale of design and new design decisions, sourcing required information (internally and externally) as well as identifying, escalating and resolving issues arising from the design process

• Work closely with Designer and Product managers/Developers to secure the assigned product development project success on time.
  

Ideal background

• Advanced knowledge of CAD software (We use Solidworks)

• 3-5 years of experience in a design engineering (or similar) role with exposure to high volume manufacturing is preferred.

• Experience with consumer products and user centric design preferred

• Strong curiosity & ambition, enjoy problem solving.

• Team player, with strong supportive spirit with positivity

• Experience in the following:

  • Developing solutions to problems / obstacles that arise through Product development and concept generation

  • Resolving designs to a level suitable for production of components and assemblies through plastic injection moulding, extrusion, timber machining, and fabrication etc.

  • Creating 3D models, drawings, specifications and technical documentation including QC/QA tolerancing checks for production.

  • Development and production of prototypes for physical testing of specific component performance and product design performance elements

  • Design and production of Jigs and Fixtures suitable for ad hoc or permanent life cycle testing
    

Treehouse Perks and Privileges

Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy bunch!

• Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)

• Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.

  Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.

• Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!

• Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.

• Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.

• Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform Juno, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.

• Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to!

Koalities We Look For

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We are ambitious. We are curious. We are selfless. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. We're confident, but NEVER arrogant and we adapt to change like Steve Smith under a short ball. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)

There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.

To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.