This post to help Polaris find its new Motorcycle Designer and one of you find his dream job. I bet the recruited candidate will also work on the new Indian motorcycle design(s)
Job Description. The Polaris ID Department supports all 7 Divisions of the company: ATV, Snowmobile, Side by Side Sport and Utility (Ranger), Victory& Indian Motorcycles, GEM & Low Emission Vehicles and Parts, Garments & Accessories (PG&A) You may participate in programs for all these divisions but your principle design work will be for Indian and Victory motorcycles.
Work towards creating a strong branded family look under the direction of a multi-disciplinary product development team including members from engineering, manufacturing, finance, marketing and industrial design.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities. As a Senior Designer you will set an example for current staff in your area of expertise. You will be a leader in the group in those (multiple areas) and be able to guide outside firms (with Design Director) in those types of work to a satisfactory result. Your work will include this as well as internal projects done by you or under your supervision.
1. Advance the state of the art in all the vehicle categories bringing new, fresh ideas that will gain market share for the company.
2. Determine materials, construction, mechanics, shape, color, surface finish, manufacturing processes and packaging in cooperation with a multi-disciplinary product development team.
3. Communicate your designs through traditional and digital (2-D & 3-D) means.
4. Develop ergonomics to maximize comfort, performance, safety and ease of use.
5. Stay abreast of trends in material usage, design, style, color and graphics.
Working Conditions. Standard office/ID studio environment. Regular travel to engineering facilities required.
Desired Skills & Experience. 1. 4 year degree (BA, BFA or BS) in Industrial Design required. 2. 5-7 years ID experience. Powersports Motorcycle background required. 3. Applicant should be passionate about Powersports and be ready to live the riding experience and like the outdoors. 4. Exceptional conceptual problem solving and sketching abilities required. 5. Exceptional sense of form, design and trends required. 6. Must have proven ability to take a concept through to final product. 7. Working knowledge of Human Factors desired. 8. Polaris is a team environment; we will be looking for team players.
Company Description: Polaris Industries designs, manufactures, and distributes All Terrain Vehicles, snowmobiles, Ranger utility vehicles, and Victory motorcycles. Polaris also produces the “Pure Polaris” line of accessories and garments. Polaris is headquartered in Medina, MN. Polaris has a product development facility in Wyoming, MN and has manufacturing facilities in Roseau, MN, Osceola, WI, and Spirit Lake, IA. It has a parts distribution facility in Vermillion, SD.
Salary, yearly performance based bonus. Job ID: 1613560. Apply online at Polaris Careers (other positions available)
what a great job for a younger person !
HD will get their own ad out soon – wanted 50-60 year old male (no experience necessary) who must be able to modify existing models so there is no discernible difference and specialise in painting them black 🙂
Hopefully, Victory will re-think the design of most of their bikes. I would seriously consider a victory if they were better looking. Their touring line is (how can I say this?), in my opinion, not attractive. The above accompaning photo looks like it belongs in a jetson cartoon. Consequently, I would not even consider buying one. Their cruisers are not nearly as bad but a little too Arlen “Nessish” for my taste. I guess it’s like ice cream….some people like vanilla, some chocalate. Maybe some new blood in the design department could help and help influance the top managers to consider addind a model line that represents the older, traditional perspective.
I agree with Richard on all counts. I love the price point, engineering and quality of Victory bikes, but the style of most of them is a deal breaker for me. If I’m buying a new or nearly new bike I don’t really want to have to strip it down to chassis and replace all the sheet metal and wheels etc just to want to ride it. I’d rather be able to change things slowly over time with an overall goal in mind. But hopefully a new Indian Scout model or a more traditional style of Victory is on the horizon and I’ll finally be able to take the leap and buy one. Right now it’d have to be a really, really good deal just before the winter so I have lots of time to work on it before I can ride it anyway.
I love the looks of a Vision. I like the fact that it looks futuristic, I also like that not everybody else likes it too.
It’s about time we had a forward looking US motorcycle company.
Sounds like somebody is going to get themselves a nice job.
Just hire Micheal Prugh, or have him on staff ASAP
The best designers and/or innovators will not be considered for this position… only someone willing to surf the corporate BS need apply. That is why things evolve so slowly in the auto and cycle world as it pertains to the major manufactures.
A really talented person would feel completely bound and shackled under the corporate constraints as the other little turds on the design “team” steal credit for your work. I would expect little in truly significant changes in their near future.
If they were genuinely looking to achieve something in this respect, it would be best to solicit entries from people outside of their usual design circles to bring real innovation and style. A competition among equally talented professionals, similar to what the military does when developing new weapons and vehicles. If you maintain the same type of designer pedigrees from the same old school of thought, expect little more than modified versions of existing products.
I wonder if JT Nesbitt is interested in the job, or vice versa after the letter that he wrote to the CEO. Instead of calling them out and challenging Victory to build a better bike, maybe he could challenge himself and do it from inside the company. Lord knows he can design a motorcycle but could he do it at a more competitive price point than a Hellcat or a Wraith?
Let’s put 5 custom builders working in group on each project bike. They would not listen to corporate BS, would not be yes men, would not be afraid to be fired for their progressive ideas. It’s the way to do it. Harley like Victory like the others should tap into the talents of these custom builders because they have ideas more valuable than somebody who knows only do CAD design and sell it to a board with no designer skills.
How is it possible that none of the manufacturers’ designers has ever built any custom bike from scratch that has been admired by the custom world?
Like a lot of you I have always rooted for Victory but never cared for the design of their bikes. Something a little too “swoopy” about them. I think they are really getting ready to go for the jugular now, and so good for them.
Cyril be careful how you throw around the word “Senior” when referring to motorcycle designers! You scared me for a second there.
Yeah, I have to agree with others, it looks like they’re gearing up to churn out more of the same old, same old. Their add reads like they want a ‘yes man’ to design by numbers/ art by committee.
Maybe they’ll surprise us, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
Ahem……I’m right here Victory! I could even commute to work fer ya, so I’m already “Relocated”. How about a “Good, Roadable, Ridable, Bagger/Chopper for the Long Haul” [that’s what I build]! It’s got the look of a chopper [nuthin’ radical, 4″ over wide-glide front end, stock rake, 21″ front tire/200 rear, fenders, short bitch stick with tassel, nice paint/graphics, 10″ rise handlebars, maybe shotgun pipes, etc. ‘an runs like a Raped Ape!], but it’s got saddlebags ‘n floorboards! A nice blend of the two. Sumthun you can go bar-hoppin’ with, but also ride from here to Pakipsi without checkin’ the oil! And I’ll do it for, let’s say, humm…. $150 grand a year! Just don’t make me conform/associate/assimilate/communicate/any “ate”, with any “Cob-up-their-Butt” corporate types! I’m already registered with the Federal Government as a manufacturer, titles say “Freebird” on ’em. I’m Chairman/CEO of a corporation, 50 years expirience in what works ‘n what don’t on motorcycles, so ya got my resume! You know where to find me, iffin’ yer interested. Wiz
I thought Arlen Ness was the lead designer ?
IAN
May 14th, 2011 at 8:11 am
what a great job for a younger person !
HD will get their own ad out soon – wanted 50-60 year old male (no experience necessary) who must be able to modify existing models so there is no discernible difference and specialise in painting them black
I don’t care who ya are that’s funny right there, sad, true, but funny!
Harley must be doing something right. Who leads the industry in the sales of big, street bikes?
They need a designer, the Vision is absolutely hideous! I can’t believe it actually made it to production.
Richard and chopperfreak, yeah just keep your head in the stale, tired designs of the past. Those Victory’s look incredible in person, and power, performance, ride, and reliablility so far beyond Harley that it’s not even a fair fight! JD Powers rated Victory #1 in every category world-wide. Harley’s fine if you want last century’s technology. You can t just add EFI and an extra mounting point to a pushrod Vtwin and call it modern technology. And Victory’s actually have 20% MORE American-made components than Harley. Plus their entry-priced bike, the Vegas 8-ball has 97hp, 113 lbs of torque, a tank stretched down around the seat, and flush-mount LED tail light for under $13k. What’s Harley got? a Softail with 59hp for $17k? the Harley is clearly an inferior and even less-American bike. Kinda sad, really.
Arlen Ness is NOT the lead designer and has never been. Michael Song is the lead designer for Victory.
I think there is a young Man or Woman out there that will be great for the Job. I think that Polaris will have to go through the Interviews and the Hiring process and Training process and the Firing process and the rehiring process and all of the trials and tribulations of having a Company or Corporate Designer with Talent and having the right combination of getting along with your present Design Team. That is what Head Hunters are for. Go hire one and let them find the “Star”. I really think “Jr.” is your Man. That’s right Mr. Man in charge of hiring your new Super Star. Junior Tetul is your Man for that Job. He has the Eye and the Feel for Making and Designing what the Client wants. I have seen and watched his Builds, Show after Show and that Man has the “EYE” for the Job. I know what the Industry talk about the OCC quality. Frankly they can Make you a lot more competitive and help you sell more Bikes Mr. Victory. No I am not a Agent or an Emplolyee of The OCC or the Paul Jr. Designs> I got to say that I don’t think anyone has Builds then the Tetuls and even Sr. would pRobably admit that Jr. has a better eye for the Build.
Victory, took you far too long to figure this little style problem out.
My guess is this designer position is for the complete redesign of the Indians too. Anybody that doesnt see that coming needs to open their eyes.
Funny how things evolve into something else. Remember the early days of Victory when they released the 92 C series (i think i got that right). And how UGly they were. OMG that awful tank, virtually no styling what so ever. Then Arlen came, made a huge impact to the styling of the Victory’s, and have their own style now. Hey, got us all talking about Victory, love it or hate it. Very well engineered. I hope they hire the right guy for the job.
Spaz, you sound annoyed….I wonder where you got that 20% number. Could you enlighten us please???? Cyril, do you have any idea of American content in the victory vs. the harley? I would be interested as to how that stacks up in the event spazs’ has no factual basis.
Spaz; Dude, i specifically said that I love the technology, engineering and price of Victorys. You should probably read a little more closely before you make yourself sound like a douche bashing me for something that didn’t happen. I agree with you on all points except the look of them. I just don’t like the aesthetics of the bike. Maybe a tank stretched down to the seat is your thing, but for me I prefer a small, high mounted tank. I like the look of the back bone on a bike. And no, I don’t really like the look of most harleys stock either and on top of that they’re under powered and over-priced. So really you’re just preaching to choir here.
Keep the Indian Brand separate from Victory designers by the way, Chiefs and flying saucers don’t go together. Although…. In the “Spirit” of things…. send a “Scout” forth for recon
Better late than never, but just incase someone is searching for information like I was, and comes across this story, and then reads the comments:
Arlen Ness did NOT design any of the Victory motorcycles. He happens to be a dealer for Victory, and dresses up some of the models with chrome and paint to put his name on.
I just bought the Victory High Ball. I don’t care what people think about it, me or anything else. I ride because I enjoy the road and this bike does the road better then any I’ve owned and I’ve owned 14 bikes in five years with tens of thousands of miles on them. No garage queens here.
The High Ball is basic, stripped down bobber toughness, this bike was made for me.
I’ve been watching Victories for over 5 years. I would own a Cross Country, a Vision or a Cross Roads for touring. I would love a Hammer or Vegas or Kingpin 8 ball in the garage long with the High Ball.
I think they are very smart to design around one engine platform.
I wish Victory all the best and hope they take a sizable bite out of Harley. Why? Because Harley refuses to engineer their bikes for modern day riders. They are still making bikes that folks need to make excuses for. I’m not a Harley basher though, I like the Nightster and owned one in fact, I just couldn’t take the industrial paint shaker and bone rattler any longer then what I did.
This High Ball provides more “Cool”, no rattle of my bones and no paint shaker industrial Briggs and Stratton engine vibes but all the V Twin power and torque a 50 year old rush addict would ever want.
Twisties here I come for peg draggin’ fun.
Go Victory