Sean is a Technical Program Manager and Product Development Lead based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over 10 years of experience delivering consumer products from concept through production. His background spans industrial design with a materials focus, soft-goods development, and manufacturing execution, with a strong focus on Design for Manufacturing (DFM), supplier engagement, and program delivery.
He has led cross-functional teams, managed complex timelines, and worked directly with global clients including Apple, Meta/Oculus, Ledger, Bose, Google, and Microsoft. Sean operates at the intersection of design, engineering, and manufacturing—equally comfortable defining product strategy as he is building and validating prototypes on the floor. Collaborated with design studios such as Fuseproject, Astro Studios (PA Consulting), Herbst Produkt, Delve and many more.
Bilio | 2023 - Present
Design Lead • Production • Industrial Designer • Softgoods Developer | Berkeley, CA
Design Lead • Production • Industrial Designer • Softgoods Developer | Berkeley, CA
• Led end-to-end development of soft-goods products from concept through production, including prototyping, CAD development, and Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Built and refined prototypes and production methods through hands-on fabrication, CNC machining, and process development
• Defined and executed manufacturing strategies for in-house production, including a 3,000-unit soft-goods program currently in ramp
• Delivered retail-facing product programs for a Fortune 500 consumer technology company, supporting builds of 1,500+ units
• Collaborated with top-tier consumer electronics/wearable technology companies on advanced soft-goods systems for next-generation devices
• Played a key role in achieving Tier 1 supplier nomination for a major global technology client through successful product development and delivery
• Developed materials, tooling approaches, and assembly processes to enable scalable, repeatable production
• Acted as the bridge between design, engineering, and manufacturing—driving projects from early concept through production readiness
• Built and refined prototypes and production methods through hands-on fabrication, CNC machining, and process development
• Defined and executed manufacturing strategies for in-house production, including a 3,000-unit soft-goods program currently in ramp
• Delivered retail-facing product programs for a Fortune 500 consumer technology company, supporting builds of 1,500+ units
• Collaborated with top-tier consumer electronics/wearable technology companies on advanced soft-goods systems for next-generation devices
• Played a key role in achieving Tier 1 supplier nomination for a major global technology client through successful product development and delivery
• Developed materials, tooling approaches, and assembly processes to enable scalable, repeatable production
• Acted as the bridge between design, engineering, and manufacturing—driving projects from early concept through production readiness
COSMO | 2017 - 2023
Design Team Leader • Technical Program Manager • Industrial Designer • Softgoods Developer - BD | SF, CA
Design Team Leader • Technical Program Manager • Industrial Designer • Softgoods Developer - BD | SF, CA
Cosmo (www.cosmo.io), is a market-leading manufacturer of engineered soft-goods, spanning consumer electronics to luxury sectors. As part of a comprehensive manufacturing solution provider, with a platform covering innovation, design, engineering/development, manufacturing, and supply chain services I led the technical program management side of all early engagement US based projects.
Promoted to a leadership role after 2 years, providing direction for a team of 5 designers, engaging in business development, overseeing lab and facility operations
• Led technical program management, overseeing product development from early concept through manufacturing handoff
• Managed cross-functional teams (design, engineering, suppliers) to deliver complex soft-goods programs on schedule
• Owned project timelines, risk management, and client communication across multiple concurrent programs
• Played a key role in early business development, helping secure and define new client engagements
• Promoted to lead a team of 5 designers, setting direction, improving workflows, and mentoring team members
• Oversaw lab operations, prototyping workflows, and development infrastructure
Academy of Art University | 2021 - Present
Adjunct Professor - Industrial Design Masters Program | SF, CA
• Execute all aspects of teaching: class prep, syllabus implementation, communication, evaluation.
• Completes, submits, and provides constructive feedback each grading period for 20+ students.
• Provided a 24-hour response time for students to aid in their academic learning and potential.
• Performs weekly portfolio reviews and 1 on 1s to assist in students’ creative endeavors.
• Mentored 5 young, future designers to inspire and empower them to achieve their goals.
Promoted to a leadership role after 2 years, providing direction for a team of 5 designers, engaging in business development, overseeing lab and facility operations
• Led technical program management, overseeing product development from early concept through manufacturing handoff
• Managed cross-functional teams (design, engineering, suppliers) to deliver complex soft-goods programs on schedule
• Owned project timelines, risk management, and client communication across multiple concurrent programs
• Played a key role in early business development, helping secure and define new client engagements
• Promoted to lead a team of 5 designers, setting direction, improving workflows, and mentoring team members
• Oversaw lab operations, prototyping workflows, and development infrastructure
Academy of Art University | 2021 - Present
Adjunct Professor - Industrial Design Masters Program | SF, CA
• Execute all aspects of teaching: class prep, syllabus implementation, communication, evaluation.
• Completes, submits, and provides constructive feedback each grading period for 20+ students.
• Provided a 24-hour response time for students to aid in their academic learning and potential.
• Performs weekly portfolio reviews and 1 on 1s to assist in students’ creative endeavors.
• Mentored 5 young, future designers to inspire and empower them to achieve their goals.
Sean Miller Design | 2016 - Present
Cisco Innovation Team | Sean Miller Design | 1.5 years | Oakland, CA
RSID - Ricardo Salinas Industrial Design | 9 months | SF, CA
Toyota | Speck Design | 3 Months | Mountain View, CA
Focus Product Design | 2.5 Years
Menlo Park, California | Mid-Level Industrial Designer
Cisco Innovation Team | Sean Miller Design | 1.5 years | Oakland, CA
RSID - Ricardo Salinas Industrial Design | 9 months | SF, CA
Toyota | Speck Design | 3 Months | Mountain View, CA
Focus Product Design | 2.5 Years
Menlo Park, California | Mid-Level Industrial Designer
Focus PDM is a design consultancy that helps businesses create products from start to finish, including design, manufacturing, and marketing. They use a custom approach to bring ideas to life, making them a reality for companies and entrepreneurs.
• Promoted from Intern to Mid-level Designer within 2 years to manage designers and operate projects.
• Heavily involved in Focus’ internal project revealed at CES 2016 in just 9 weeks.
• Transitioned 10+ projects from phase 1 to phase 2 significantly increasing the company’s revenue.
• Managed 8+ projects & 3 designers to meet client deadlines.
• Collaborated with teams from 4 departments to create compelling product and user stories.
• Developed soft-goods CMF specifications for prototyping and manufacturing.
• Reported design progress daily, utilizing design, strategies, sketching, mind mapping and CAD work to effectively communicate design solutions to clients.
• Heavily involved in Focus’ internal project revealed at CES 2016 in just 9 weeks.
• Transitioned 10+ projects from phase 1 to phase 2 significantly increasing the company’s revenue.
• Managed 8+ projects & 3 designers to meet client deadlines.
• Collaborated with teams from 4 departments to create compelling product and user stories.
• Developed soft-goods CMF specifications for prototyping and manufacturing.
• Reported design progress daily, utilizing design, strategies, sketching, mind mapping and CAD work to effectively communicate design solutions to clients.
Education
Academy of Art University | Dec. 2014
M.F.A Industrial Design Graduate
Western Washington University 1999 - 2006
BA General Studies | Minor Studio Art
Lulea University of Technology Jan .06 - Jun .06
Exchange Student; Industrial Design program
Awards
IF Design Awards Finalist | Mobile Mountain | 2016
RedDot Design Awards Finalist | Mobile Mountain | 2016
Spark Bronze Award | Mobile Mountain | 2015
Academy of Art University Spring Showcase | 2015
A'Design Silver Awards | Branche Teapot | 2014
Academy of Art University Spring Show Best in Show | 2014
IDEA Awards Finalist | Surfcase | 2014
Natgeo Shelf | Inhabitat.com Spring Greening Finalist | 2010
Mailbox | Ample Sample Finalist Showcased @NeoCon | 2009
Software
Illustrator CS
Photoshop CS
Indesign CS
Solidworks 2022
Rhino 3D 7
Keyshot 9
Alias Automotive 2018
Procreate
Skills
Managing Programs
Managing Project Budgets
Scheduling and Manufacturing Communication
Design Strategy
Concept Development
Rapid Prototyping
Analog Sketching
Digital Rendering
Mock-ups & POCs
Soft-goods Design and Development
3D Printing
Leather Making
Soft Form Tooling
CO2 Laser Operation
Zund Cutter Operation
Interests
The outdoors...Snowboarding, Surfing, Running, Skateboarding, Photography, Architecture...and more.
Academy of Art University | Dec. 2014
M.F.A Industrial Design Graduate
Western Washington University 1999 - 2006
BA General Studies | Minor Studio Art
Lulea University of Technology Jan .06 - Jun .06
Exchange Student; Industrial Design program
Awards
IF Design Awards Finalist | Mobile Mountain | 2016
RedDot Design Awards Finalist | Mobile Mountain | 2016
Spark Bronze Award | Mobile Mountain | 2015
Academy of Art University Spring Showcase | 2015
A'Design Silver Awards | Branche Teapot | 2014
Academy of Art University Spring Show Best in Show | 2014
IDEA Awards Finalist | Surfcase | 2014
Natgeo Shelf | Inhabitat.com Spring Greening Finalist | 2010
Mailbox | Ample Sample Finalist Showcased @NeoCon | 2009
Software
Illustrator CS
Photoshop CS
Indesign CS
Solidworks 2022
Rhino 3D 7
Keyshot 9
Alias Automotive 2018
Procreate
Skills
Managing Programs
Managing Project Budgets
Scheduling and Manufacturing Communication
Design Strategy
Concept Development
Rapid Prototyping
Analog Sketching
Digital Rendering
Mock-ups & POCs
Soft-goods Design and Development
3D Printing
Leather Making
Soft Form Tooling
CO2 Laser Operation
Zund Cutter Operation
Interests
The outdoors...Snowboarding, Surfing, Running, Skateboarding, Photography, Architecture...and more.