Designer II, Footwear

L.L.Bean • Freeport, ME

7d • $98,100 - $122,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

L.L.Bean is seeking a Footwear Designer II to help shape its footwear assortment across Boots, Active, Slippers, and Casual. The designer creates timeless, functional products that honor the brand’s outdoor heritage while bringing a fresh perspective to each season. The role translates seasonal trends and consumer insights into brand-right footwear, influencing color, materials, silhouettes, construction, and function while balancing creativity, cost, and manufacturability.

The designer develops and presents concepts and detailed technical materials, and partners with Product Development, Sourcing, vendors, and other cross-functional teams to refine, test, and commercialize designs. The role is based at L.L.Bean’s headquarters in Freeport, Maine, requires relocation to Maine, and follows a hybrid schedule with at least four days per week at headquarters. Domestic and international travel may be required, including travel to Asia up to twice per year.

Employees are expected to contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by following safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors, and working safely. The anticipated starting base pay is $98,100–$122,600; individual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, education, geographic location, skills, competencies, and proficiency. A portfolio link or uploaded PDF is required for consideration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in footwear design, industrial design, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of footwear design experience.
• Strong sketching, ideation, and tech-packing skills.
• Basic knowledge of footwear materials, fit, construction (last and toolings), and manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong visual, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines while working effectively with cross-functional and international partners.
• Flexibility and willingness to support international partners across time zones as needed.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including potential travel to Asia up to twice per year.
• A portfolio link or uploaded PDF is required for consideration.
• Relocation to Maine is required.
• Ability to work a hybrid schedule with at least four days per week at the Freeport, Maine headquarters.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using AI tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Translate seasonal trend direction into compelling, brand-right footwear concepts.
• Identify relevant footwear trends and create designs aligned with L.L.Bean’s brand identity.
• Create sketches, renderings, prototypes, and detailed tech packs in Adobe Illustrator to communicate design intent.
• Explore silhouette, materials, color, construction, and function while balancing creativity, cost, and manufacturability.
• Research markets and competitive brands, including domestic travel for inspiration and trade shows.
• Partner with Product Development and Sourcing teams to refine, test, and commercialize designs.
• Use consumer insights, market research, and wear testing to improve comfort, performance, and relevance.
• Present clear, compelling design renderings at milestone meetings.
• Adjust shell patterns and redline photos of pullover samples during development.
• Use Mural to present concepts and align color and material direction across categories.
• Create and update accurate pre-production BOM images and colors in Flex PLM.
• Ensure milestones and deadlines are achieved; attend meetings to align on M2M key strategies, initiatives, and actions.
• Contribute to a safe and healthy workplace by following safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors, and working safely.

Benefits

• Benefits package with programs and perks designed to support health and financial goals.
• Programs and practices intended to support work-life balance and time to recharge outdoors.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level