Director, Soft Goods Product Development

Frida•Miami, FL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Frida is seeking a Director, Soft Goods Product Development to join its Product Development team in Miami, Florida. Reporting to the SVP, RD&E, this leader will own technical product development from concept through commercialization, build scalable Soft Goods capabilities and processes, and strengthen business continuity across the portfolio. The role calls for deep cut-and-sew and soft goods engineering expertise combined with strategic leadership, hands-on execution, and cross-functional collaboration in a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The Director will lead technical development and execution across Soft Goods products, translating Industrial Design intent into manufacturable products while balancing consumer experience, performance, quality, regulatory compliance, and cost. The role will define and scale the operating model, technical capabilities, supplier engagement practices, and development processes across apparel, utilitarian products, and knits. It will also oversee supplier transitions, second-source qualifications, product sustainment, cost savings, international expansion support, and supply-risk reduction. The position works closely with internal and external Industrial Design, Brand, Sourcing, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Project Management, prototyping partners, and senior RD&E leadership. Frida’s Miami HQ offers approved roles the flexible option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays, with in-person work Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Mechanical Engineering.
8–10+ years of product engineering leadership and global product development experience across multiple categories, including at least 5 years in cut-and-sew or soft goods, such as apparel, consumables/nonwovens, utilitarian products, or medical devices.
Experience with companies recognized for innovative design and product development, including building engineering capabilities, teams, processes, and operating models.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment without direct authority.
CAD proficiency.
Soft Goods Tech Pack experience.
Experience developing Class I and Class II medical devices.
Strong negotiation skills and ability to deliver premium quality within gross margin parameters.
Ability to identify and apply emerging trends and technologies to improve existing products and inspire new ones.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing requirements and priorities, balancing speed to market, cost, quality, and consumer experience.
Consumer-obsessed mindset with strong understanding of consumer needs.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Excellent project management and organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Proactive, action-oriented approach with the ability to operate autonomously and collaboratively as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Specialized education in soft goods manufacturing, construction, or a related field.
CAD experience with CLO 3D or SolidWorks.
Illustrator or a similar tool for Soft Goods Tech Packs.

Responsibilities

Own technical development and execution of Soft Goods products from concept through commercialization and manufacturing launch.
Translate Industrial Design intent into manufacturable products, balancing consumer experience, performance, quality, regulatory compliance, and cost.
Partner with internal and external Industrial Design, prototyping partners, Sourcing, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Project Management to deliver launches on time and within financial targets.
Lead technical decisions on materials, supplier selection, design for manufacturability (DFM), validation, manufacturing readiness, and production start.
Collaborate with Brand and Industrial Design to evaluate concepts and category expansion opportunities against consumer needs and supplier capabilities.
Define and scale the operating model, technical capabilities, and development processes for Soft Goods across apparel, utilitarian products, and knits.
Identify capability gaps and partner with senior leadership on organizational structure, hiring plans, technical competencies, and external partnerships.
Develop supplier capabilities and engagement practices in partnership with cross-functional teams.
Standardize engineering tools, technical documentation, design reviews, Tech Packs, manufacturing readiness, and commercialization practices.
Improve development efficiency, cycle time, product quality, and manufacturability through scalable processes.
Lead supplier transitions, second-source qualifications, and product sustainment initiatives to improve supply chain resilience.
Assess alternate suppliers and drive design or material changes required to support alternate manufacturing sources.
Drive cost savings, international expansion support, and supply risk reduction while maintaining product quality and consumer experience.
Support additional projects and responsibilities as business needs and priorities evolve.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental plan options.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Supplemental insurance options, including Accident Insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, Cancer Coverage, and more.
FSA and HSA.
401(k) matching up to 4% with immediate vesting.
Generous paid time off program including elective PTO days, federal holidays, sick/wellness days, floating holidays, and a birthday day off.
Pregnancy and parental leave.
Weekly wellness programming in-office.
Dog-friendly office.
Learning and development opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Company-wide events and outings, including team-building activities, an annual Fam Jam family carnival, and an annual Day of Service.
Volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Exclusive employee product discounts.