Senior Designer, Apparel & Accessories - Licensed Product Development and Design

NBCUniversal•Universal City, CA

4d•$90,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Universal Brand Development Group is seeking a Senior Designer of Product Design Development for the Universal Products & Experiences Consumer Products division. This senior creative role leads the development of apparel and fashion accessories—including bags, headwear, and footwear—by translating current fashion trends into commercially relevant, character-driven licensed products for Universal properties such as Jurassic World, Minions, and Shrek. The designer provides technical and aesthetic expertise, supports the Manager, and helps coordinate collaboration with licensees and internal stakeholders. The role includes trend research and forecasting, concept and collection development, design feedback, adapting style guides, and reviewing licensee submissions from concept through final sample. The designer also supports cross-functional coordination with Category Management, Legal, and Franchise teams. A professional portfolio is required, showing original work and the product development lifecycle from concept to finished product. This position follows a hybrid schedule, with work from the office at least four days per week; the company may change in-office requirements. Travel may be required. The role is eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, discounts, and other perks. The listed annual salary range is $90,000–$105,000.

Requirements

At least 4 years of senior-level design experience in the fashion industry, such as apparel, bags, or footwear.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
Deep understanding of fashion tech packs and ability to translate 2D graphics into 3D garment constructions.
In-depth knowledge of fabric properties, washes, and embellishment techniques, including embroidery, patches, and screen printing.
Exceptional color sense and material sourcing skills.
Ability to articulate design intent logically and professionally, support the Manager, and facilitate consensus with external partners.
Proactive mindset and ability to drive results.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
Confidence advocating for design decisions and collaborating toward shared goals.
Proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator; working knowledge of InDesign, Keynote, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
Submit a professional portfolio demonstrating original individual contributions and the ability to translate fashion trends into sophisticated, commercially relevant licensed products. The portfolio should show the product development lifecycle, including sketches, trend research, graphics/logos, pattern and print development, overlays/redlines, tech packs, sampling iterations, and final produced products.

Responsibilities

Analyze and synthesize current market and fashion trends to develop innovative product concepts that combine character aesthetics with modern fashion, and present concepts to the Manager for alignment.
Translate macro and micro fashion trends into cohesive, trend-led storytelling and provide the technical and aesthetic foundation for seasonally relevant apparel and accessory collections.
Provide licensees with detailed design feedback on textiles, specialty construction, and graphic placement to support the Manager’s final approvals.
Adapt and expand Universal style guides for complex garment and accessory constructions.
Review licensee submissions through Lunchpad and provide actionable feedback from concept through final sample, balancing fashion-forward design with IP brand consistency.
Under the Manager’s direction, coordinate with Category Management, Legal, and Franchise teams to help deliver competitive retail products.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Travel as required.