Designer II, Footwear

L.L.Bean • Freeport, ME

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

L.L.Bean is seeking a Footwear Designer II to help shape its footwear offerings across Boots, Active, Slippers, and Casual. The designer will create timeless, functional products that honor the brand’s outdoor heritage while contributing fresh seasonal perspectives. The role includes developing color, material, silhouette, and construction concepts, and working with cross-functional partners to refine, test, and commercialize designs. The position is based at the company’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.

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, lasts 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.
• Must relocate to Maine; the hybrid schedule requires at least four days per week at the Freeport 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 the market 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 throughout 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 successfully.
• Attend meetings to align on M2M key strategies, initiatives, and actions.
• Support international partners across time zones as needed and travel domestically and internationally, including potential travel to Asia up to twice per year.
• 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 employees’ health and financial goals.
• Programs supporting work-life balance and time to recharge outdoors.

What This Job Offers

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