Product Developer, Equipment

VF Corporation • Denver, CO

3d • $86,400 - $108,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At The North Face, the Product Developer, Equipment helps bring packs, travel bags, and duffels from creative concept to production-ready product. The role is the technical connection between Design, Product Management, Materials, Sourcing, Quality, and global vendor partners, translating design vision into products that meet performance, durability, quality, and value expectations.

The Product Developer plays a hands-on role throughout development, from evaluating prototypes and solving construction challenges to managing product specifications and identifying ways to improve how products are built. The role operates on a hybrid schedule from the company’s Denver, Colorado headquarters three days per week.

Requirements

• At least 4 years of product development experience in equipment or hardgoods, preferably packs, bags, luggage, travel, or outdoor softgoods.
• Strong technical knowledge of bag construction and components.
• Experience analyzing vendor costing and communicating cost drivers and trade-offs.
• Proficiency with FlexPLM or an equivalent product lifecycle management system, with strong data discipline.
• Working proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical diagrams and/or artwork placement.
• Strong communication skills with global vendor partners and ability to provide precise, actionable sample feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple styles and meet development gates.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting global development across regions and factory types.
• Familiarity with testing standards and common failure modes in packs, travel bags, and duffels.
• Experience supporting sustainability initiatives, including preferred or recycled materials, packaging reduction, and durability or repair considerations.
• Interest in outdoor and travel activities and dedicated use of outdoor gear.
• Formal education in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Own technical development of assigned products from prototype through pre-production and buy readiness.
• Translate design intent into production-ready solutions for construction, patterning, reinforcement, structure, hardware, zippers, trims, and other technical components.
• Create and maintain accurate product specifications in FlexPLM, including tech packs, bills of materials, measurements, construction details, colorways, labeling, and packaging.
• Review prototypes and samples, provide clear direction to vendors, and resolve construction, workmanship, function, and durability issues.
• Manage development milestones and work with Design and Product Management to address risks, changes, and trade-offs while protecting product intent.
• Review vendor costing and identify value-engineering opportunities that support margin goals without compromising quality or performance.
• Partner with Materials and Quality on material selection, testing, sustainability, compliance, and continuous product improvement.
• Use Adobe Illustrator and other technical tools to communicate construction details, callouts, artwork placement, and product specifications to vendors.

Benefits

• The position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential.
• VF Corporation offers benefit programs; details are provided during the hiring process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed