Associate Designer Hardgoods

L.L.Bean•Freeport, ME

11d•$65,800 - $82,200•Hybrid

About The Position

L.L.Bean is seeking an Associate Designer to join its collaborative Hardgoods Design team in Freeport, Maine. The role contributes to distinctive, brand-right products across Hunt Fish Apparel & Gear, Sporting Outdoor Equipment, and Travel Goods, including luggage, everyday bags, totes, and backpacks. The Associate Designer supports experienced designers, collaborates with cross-functional partners, and helps develop outdoor gear while growing their design skills. Relocation to Maine is required. The hybrid schedule requires at least four days at the Headquarters Building in Freeport, with the schedule flexing based on deliverables. The position involves translating seasonal trend direction into product designs; developing sketches, renderings, prototypes, and tech packs; researching market trends and competitors; and partnering with Product Development, Merchandising, and Sourcing to refine, test, and commercialize designs. The designer also prepares presentation materials, maintains product data in FlexPLM, coordinates artwork and color requests, and reviews samples and colorways against product standards. Domestic travel may be required for inspiration and trade shows, and the designer may attend fit meetings for Hunt Fish Functional Apparel. The role requires a BA/BS and 1–3 years of relevant hardgoods experience. The anticipated starting base pay is $65,800–$82,200. L.L.Bean describes its benefits package as including programs and perks designed to support employees’ health and financial goals, but does not specify individual benefits in this posting. Employees are expected to follow safety policies and procedures, report unsafe conditions or at-risk behavior, and work safely.

Requirements

BA/BS required.
1–3 years of relevant hardgoods experience required.
Strong communication and collaboration skills across global and cross-functional teams.
Ability to build partnerships with internal teams, vendors, and sourcing partners.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, balance multiple priorities, and adapt to evolving business needs.
Consumer-focused mindset and passion for creating functional, timeless products that enhance outdoor experiences.
Curious, collaborative, and solution-oriented approach; appreciation for L.L.Bean’s heritage, quality standards, and target consumer.
Self-starter who can take initiative and contribute positively to a team-oriented culture.
Commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and customer experience.
Knowledge of Microsoft 360 tools, Co-Pilot, Teams, Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign), FlexPLM, CLO, and Mural.
Basic knowledge of AI tools.
Willingness to relocate to Maine.
Ability to work at the Freeport headquarters at least four days per week under the hybrid schedule.
Follow safety policies and procedures, report unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors, and conduct work safely.

Responsibilities

Support the team in translating seasonal trend direction into compelling, brand-right outdoor gear.
Identify relevant outdoor trends and support the design team in creating designs aligned with L.L.Bean’s brand identity.
Assist with sketches, renderings, prototypes, and detailed tech packs in Adobe Illustrator and FlexPLM to communicate design intent.
Explore silhouette, materials, color, construction, and function while balancing creativity, cost, and manufacturability.
Prepare for design presentations, including creating color cards and uploading them to the collaborative shared space.
Research markets and competitive brands; travel domestically as needed for inspiration and trade shows.
Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, and Sourcing to refine, test, and commercialize designs.
Use consumer insights, market research, and wear testing to improve comfort, performance, and relevance.
Present clear and compelling design renderings at milestone meetings.
Create and update accurate pre-production BOM images and enter details in FlexPLM.
Meet milestones and deadlines; attend meetings to learn and align on M2M strategies, initiatives, and actions.
Create color-ups of pattern work using seasonal color direction.
Hand off requests to Graphics team members and Colorists for production artwork and lab dips; make requests directly depending on product type.
Review and approve lab dips, strike-offs, knit-downs, samples, and trim colorways for compliance with color standards and product aesthetics.
Attend fit meetings for Hunt Fish Functional Apparel as needed.
Contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by following safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors, and working safely.