Senior Graphic Designer

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. 

 

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing.  We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit.  Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds.  We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do.  It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home. 

Job Purpose:

 The senior graphic designer on Protolabs’ U.S. marketing team is responsible for both conceptual and production design across marketing’s creative ecosystem, while also serving as a steward of brand excellence. Partnering heavily with our regional team as well as our global brand team, this role combines hands-on design execution with strategic brand leadership, ensuring all creative output is modern, consistent, and effective across channels.

The ideal candidate is a proactive designer who can produce high-impact campaign and channel assets (digital and physical), develop and lead internal creative review processes within the U.S. region, and serve as a brand coach to marketing partners. The role will also contribute to improving creative workflows, adopting new tools (including AI-enabled design), and elevating the overall creative standard across the marketing team and Protolabs organization.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Creative Execution

Design high-quality assets across digital and print channels, with a strong emphasis on digital (web, email, paid media, social media, PPTs, events, and sales enablement).

Conceptualize and execute creative solutions using typography, color, layout, and illustration as well as consult with multimedia specialists on animation, motion graphics, photography, and video execution.

Partner with global art director and marketing stakeholders to determine the most effective way to visualize messaging based on business objectives, channel strategy, and audience.

Present creative concepts clearly and concisely, incorporating feedback to refine and optimize outputs.

Support on-brand, consistent message execution across channels.

Brand Stewardship & Creative Leadership

Act as a brand expert and internal consultant for regional marketing team, ensuring all assets align with brand guidelines and visual standards.

Lead design reviews for regional campaigns and channels, providing direction and constructive feedback to ensure consistency, clarity, and quality.

Partner with global brand team to uphold, maintain and evolve brand guidelines as needed, identifying opportunities to strengthen visual identity and application.

Educate and coach cross-functional partners and marketing team members on brand standards and best practices.

Process & Collaboration

Partner cross-functionally with demand generation, product marketing, digital acquisition, global communications, and sales teams to understand business goals and deliver integrated creative solutions.

Serve as creative thought leader during brainstorming and ideation sessions, consistently bringing unique ideas and concepts forward for marketing campaigns and content across channels.

Contribute to improving creative processes, intake, and workflows, helping increase efficiency and output quality across the team.

Collaborate when needed with external partners including agencies, creative contractors, and print vendors to deliver on creative needs.

Help maintain digital asset management (DAM) system, Brandfolder.

Innovation & Capability Building

Bring forward new ideas, tools, and approaches to enhance creative output, including the use of AI and generative design tools.

Stay current on design trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to continuously evolve the team’s capabilities.

Support overflow content creation needs, leading tactical conversations with agencies when needed.

Required Qualifications: Minimal qualifications required in order to be considered for entry into the job

Education and Experience:

Four-year degree in visual arts, design, or equivalent experience required.

6+ years of graphic design experience, with a strong portfolio spanning digital/interactive and print.

Demonstrated experience working within and evolving brand systems.

Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (with emphasis on Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop); familiarity with motion/video tools is a plus as well as AI design platforms such as Midjourney

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong conceptual thinking and ability to translate business objectives into compelling creative solutions.

Experience leading or influencing creative direction and providing actionable feedback to others.

Basic knowledge of video production, animation, and storyboarding preferred.

Familiarity with web development collaboration (HTML, CSS basics) and CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Umbraco).

Understanding of UX principles, accessibility, and digital usability standards.

Ability to create presentation materials for events, campaigns, and sales enablement.

Experience developing print materials such as direct mail, signage, and trade show assets.

Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work across teams and manage multiple priorities.

Experience in B2B, preferably manufacturing or engineering, is preferred.

Exposure to or experience with AI-driven design or generative creative tools

We offer a competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity

In addition, we offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:

Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)

Dental and Vision

Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Paid caregiver leave

You will receive 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness Hours + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours

401k with company match and immediate vest

Employee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discounted rate

Matching grants through Protolabs foundation

And More!

 

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.