Most hardware gets built around what the technology can do. I build around the people who depend on it.

Industrial Nine is an independent hardware design practice for founders and startups.

Industrial Nine is an independent hardware design practice for founders and startups.

Industrial Nine is an independent hardware design practice for founders and startups.

The Challenge

Hardware fails earlier than most people realize, long before any prototype. Is the problem real? Does the idea resonate with users and choosers? Is it painful enough that someone would pay? Does the technology fit the people who depend on it? When hardware is designed by people who only see half the picture, the prototype that gets made can't be manufactured, doesn't tell a story, or both. Once you realize it's wrong, you've spent the time and money you needed to make it right.

Hardware fails earlier than most people realize, long before any prototype. Is the problem real? Has it been tested with users and choosers? Will anyone pay to solve it? Does the technology fit the people who'd use it? Design gets made by people who only see half the picture, and the prototype that comes out can't be manufactured, doesn't tell a story, or both. Once you realize it's wrong, you've spent your time and money needed to make it right.

The Approach

Grounded in two decades of industrial design and product development, I design hardware people can trust. Most teams treat development as a series of handoffs. Design to engineering. Then across hardware, software, and service. Design intent erodes at every pass. I treat it as one connected system, down to how it feels out of the box and how it earns trust over time. I stay hands-on from concept through engineering-ready, then through launch as decisions arise, so what ships keeps the intent and story intact. I drive the decisions early, while changes are still possible, before tooling is cut.

Capabilities

+++

Design

Design

Make hardware that earns trust.

Industrial design, hardware UX, and prototyping engineering can build.

+++

Research

Research

Catch the expensive mistakes early.

Validate the real pain before you bet the tooling on it.

+++

Strategy

Strategy

Ship the right thing first.

Roadmaps that define now vs. next, so you build what the market wants.

About

Industrial Nine is an independent hardware design practice. I lead every engagement and bring in other specialists when a project needs them. I've worked with Topgolf, Motorola Solutions, Interstate Batteries, Starbucks, Electrolux, Sharpie, Redarc, Pentair, and more. See my work at davidsinger.design
Industrial Nine is an independent hardware design practice. I lead every engagement and bring in other specialists when a project needs them. I've worked with Topgolf, Motorola Solutions, Interstate Batteries, Starbucks, Electrolux, Sharpie, Redarc, Pentair, and more. See my work at davidsinger.design
Industrial Nine is an independent hardware design practice. I lead every engagement and bring in other specialists when a project needs them. I've worked with Topgolf, Motorola Solutions, Interstate Batteries, Starbucks, Electrolux, Sharpie, Redarc, Pentair, and more. See my work at davidsinger.design

20+

Years of experience.

100+

Products shipped.

38

Patents.

20+

Years of experience

100+

100+

Products shipped

Products shipped

38

Patents

38

Patents

20+

Years of experience

Current Work

Active engagements are under NDA. Current projects include work in robotics and consumer electronics.

Active engagements are under NDA. Current projects include work in robotics and consumer electronics.

Current Work

Active engagements are under NDA. Current projects include work in robotics and consumer electronics.

Let's Work Together

01

Sprint

Sprint

A short, focused engagement with a clear deliverable. Workshops, design concept sprints, rapid research, or roadmap planning.

Best for teams with a specific problem and a deadline.

02

Partner

Partner

An embedded engagement from early concept to engineering-ready output. Industrial design, research, prototyping, and the strategic calls along the way.

Best for teams building toward a launch, fundraise, or pilot.

03

Advisor

Advisor

Director to VP-level design leadership, part-time. Run the ID function, set direction, and align hardware with software and service.

Best for teams that need senior design leadership, not a full-time hire.

Start a Conversation

Tell me what you're building.

Tell me what you're building.

Austin, Texas

© 2026 Industrial Nine

Austin, Texas

© 2026 Industrial Nine

Austin, Texas

© 2026 Industrial Nine