Product Development Designer

Mad Engine Global LLC•Burbank, CA

8d•$0 - $85,000

About The Position

The Product Development Designer translates creative concepts into production-ready apparel in partnership with the Creative Director, Product Development Manager, Technical Designer, and Department SVP. This role bridges creative vision and technical execution to ensure products reflect the brand’s aesthetic and design intent, meet quality standards and customer expectations, and achieve target margins. From initial concept through final approval, the designer helps ensure that materials, trims, and product specifications are accurate. Through clear communication, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration, the role maintains accuracy and consistency while balancing creative integrity, product quality, cost efficiency, and production requirements. The designer supports apparel product design and development, cross-functional coordination, technical execution, sample reviews and approvals, cost and quality management, and organization of development work. The role also supports the handoff from concept development through the pre-production sample stage and helps ensure approved design information is documented before products move into production.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Product Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
3–5 years of experience in apparel design, product development, or a related role within the fashion, lifestyle, or consumer products industry preferred.
Experience translating creative concepts into commercially viable, production-ready apparel products.
Experience working cross-functionally with creative, technical design, product development, sourcing, and production teams.
Familiarity with apparel product development workflows, sample reviews, material selection, artwork execution, and production approvals.
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
Strong understanding of apparel construction, fabrics, trims, color application, graphic techniques, and production methods.
Ability to prepare accurate artwork files, design specifications, and development materials for internal teams and external vendors.
Understanding of garment costing, target costs, margin considerations, and how design decisions affect product profitability.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
Ability to interpret creative direction and translate it into products that reflect brand aesthetic and design intent.
Strong attention to detail when reviewing artwork, materials, trims, specifications, samples, and product approvals.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with creative leadership, product development, technical design, and business partners.
Ability to identify development challenges and recommend practical solutions balancing design, quality, cost, and production feasibility.
Commercial awareness of how design decisions influence target margins, product costs, quality, and customer expectations.
Ability to manage multiple projects, shifting priorities, and seasonal deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to incorporate feedback, respond to changing business needs, and maintain product quality under tight timelines.
Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, follow-through, and accountability for accurate and timely work.

Nice To Haves

Experience with additional design or product development tools.
Experience with PLM systems or other product lifecycle management tools.

Responsibilities

Translate creative direction, seasonal concepts, and design briefs into production-ready apparel aligned with the brand’s aesthetic, customer expectations, and quality standards.
Collaborate with the Creative Director and Product Development Manager to execute concepts while preserving the original creative vision.
Ensure design assets, product details, and development documentation are accurate, complete, and aligned with approved design direction.
Review samples, prototypes, and revisions for design intent, construction details, and overall execution.
Identify design or development challenges and recommend creative, technical, and cost-effective solutions.
Coordinate with the Creative Director, Product Development Manager, Technical Designer, and Department SVP on design execution, priorities, timelines, and approval milestones.
Work with technical design, sourcing, merchandising, and production teams, as applicable, to ensure concepts are feasible to manufacture and meet product requirements.
Communicate design updates, revisions, and approvals to internal teams and external vendors.
Incorporate cross-functional feedback and leadership direction into revisions while balancing creative intent, technical feasibility, cost, and delivery expectations.
Communicate development risks, delays, and outstanding decisions to appropriate stakeholders.
Support the handoff from concept development through the pre-production sample stage.
Ensure artwork, color specifications, materials, trims, and design details are accurately executed and communicated.
Review samples and development submissions for accuracy, consistency, quality, and adherence to approved design standards.
Collaborate with the Technical Designer and Product Development Manager to resolve discrepancies between design intent, technical specifications, and sample execution.
Maintain organized and up-to-date design files, artwork packages, product documentation, and approval records.
Partner with the Product Development Manager on sample reviews, revisions, and final approvals, keeping development milestones on schedule.
Ensure approved design information is communicated and documented before products move into production.
Maintain awareness of target costs and margin goals throughout design and development.
Partner with product development, sourcing, and the Creative Director to optimize costs without compromising design integrity, quality, or customer expectations.
Evaluate alternative materials, trims, artwork techniques, and construction details to support cost targets and production feasibility.
Identify potential quality concerns or design inconsistencies early and work with relevant teams to resolve them before production.
Balance creative objectives with commercial requirements, brand standards, customer needs, and business goals.
Manage multiple styles and development projects while prioritizing deadlines, approvals, and seasonal milestones.
Maintain visibility into development status, outstanding comments, sample revisions, and required approvals.
Contribute to process improvements that enhance communication, workflow efficiency, product consistency, and on-time execution.
Stay informed about apparel trends, materials, finishes, graphic applications, and product development practices.