At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.Job Summary Polaris is seeking a CMF & Graphics Intern to join our CMF & Graphics Studio within the Design organization in Medina, Minnesota. This role supports the development of next-generation colors, materials, finishes, and graphics for our powersports products.
This internship provides hands-on exposure to digital visualization, material exploration, graphic development, and physical prototyping within a fast-paced, collaborative studio environment. Interns work closely with CMF and Graphics designers to help translate design intent into compelling digital and physical outputs that support concept development and production-ready direction.
Key Responsibilities - Assist in the development of digital CMF materials, textures, and finish assets using Adobe Creative Suite and visualization tools such as KeyShot and other industry-standard platforms.
- Create high-quality renderings and digital mockups to support communication of CMF direction, surface quality, and graphic intent.
- Support the design and preparation of graphics, decals, and vector artwork for mockups, presentations, and print-ready production files.
- Assist with in-studio prototyping activities, including the operation of vinyl printers/plotters and preparation of physical graphics and mockups.
- Help organize, catalog, and maintain physical and digital CMF libraries, including material samples, color standards, and finish references.
- Support the request, tracking, and management of material samples and standards from internal partners and external suppliers.
- Assist CMF & Graphics designers with material boards, mockups, presentations, and internal design reviews.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners in design and engineering to support visualization and prototyping needs.
Qualifications - Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in industrial design, Graphic Design, CMF Design, Transportation Design, or a related field.
- Strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Familiarity with InDesign is a plus.
- Experience with digital material creation, surface visualization, or rendering workflows, including KeyShot, Substance tools, VRED, Blender, or similar platforms, preferred.
- Strong attention to detail with a demonstrated eye for color, surface quality, finish execution, and visual accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively across both digital and physical design workflows.
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate in a studio-based, team-oriented environment.
- Experience with vinyl printers/plotters, model-making, or prototyping tools is a plus.
- Interest in materials, surface finishes, coatings, textures, graphics, and powersports products.
Portfolio Expectations - A portfolio is required as part of the application process.
- Portfolio should demonstrate a strong understanding of color, materials, finishes, surface quality, and graphic execution.
- Include examples of digital visualization or rendering work (e.g., KeyShot or similar tools) that show material realism and attention to detail.
- Show evidence of graphic design skills such as decals, layouts, typography, or vector-based artwork.
- Physical prototyping, material exploration, mockups, or hands-on studio work are highly valued and may be shown through photos or process documentation.
- Conceptual projects are welcome, but emphasis should be placed on execution quality, craftsmanship, and clear communication of design intent.
Working Environment This is a hands-on, studio-based internship in Medina, Minnesota. The role offers exposure to advanced CMF development, graphics workflows, and full-scale vehicle mockups within a professional design studio environment. Interns will gain real-world experience supporting production-focused design work while learning how CMF and graphics contribute to the development of high-performance Polaris products.
The salary range for this position in Minnesota is $19.50 to $30.75 per hour. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.Important Note: This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship. To be considered for this opportunity, you must apply on our career page.
To qualify for this position, former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.
We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE. Apply today!
At Polaris we put our employees first, by offering a holistic approach to their health and financial wellbeing. Polaris is proud to offer competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan that is fundamental to our pay-for-performance culture. At Polaris, employees are owners of the company through company contributions to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases plan. Employees receive a generous matching contribution to 401(k), financial wellness education and consultation to plan for their financial future. In addition to competitive pay, Polaris provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, wellness programs, paid time off, gym & personal training reimbursement, life insurance and disability offerings. Through the Polaris Foundation and our Polaris Gives paid volunteer time off, we support employees who actively volunteer their time, efforts, and passions to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which they live, play and work. Employees at Polaris drive our success and are rewarded for their commitment.
About PolarisAs the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman® all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle® mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
EEO StatementPolaris Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants with a disability that are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, or otherwise need assistance or an accommodation in the recruiting process, should contact Human Resources at 800-765-2747 or Talent.Acquisition@Polaris.com. To read more about employment discrimination protection under U.S. federal law, see: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov).
