Designer/Developer (Soft Goods)

Product Design And Development Manager

This role is responsible for the design and development of protective apparel, equipment, and accessories, with a primary focus on soft goods and select hard good components.

The position manages a wide range of projects simultaneously, supporting strategic initiatives, concept exploration, and innovation opportunities from initial design through production readiness. Responsibilities include creating new product concepts, developing detailed tech packs, and executing product graphics to support accurate sample development and factory communication.

This role works directly with supply chain partners to drive development, ensuring all materials, samples, construction details, and costing are tracked, communicated, and aligned with product goals. The position plays a critical role in translating design intent into commercially viable, manufacturable products that meet performance, quality, and timeline expectations.

Essential Functions:

Product Design & Development

• Monitor industry trends, competitive brands, materials, and manufacturing innovations to inform product direction.
• Support strategic initiatives through innovative product design and development concepts.
• Collaborate with team to create and refine product concepts from ideation through commercialization.
• Manage and maintain development timelines across multiple concurrent projects.
• Execute timely and objective design revisions, offering solutions that align with performance, cost, and manufacturability goals.

Tech Pack & Factory Execution

• Prepare and own detailed tech packs for initial samples and all subsequent revisions.
• Partner directly with factories to communicate design intent, construction details, and development updates.
• Review prototypes with Technical Design to ensure alignment on fit, construction, and overall product execution.
• Participate in fit sessions and provide clear, actionable feedback to overseas factories to ensure standards are met.

Project Management & Communication

• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously with strong prioritization and organization.
• Maintain accurate and transparent communication on project status, risks, and timelines.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment throughout the development process.
• Communicate design progress effectively across design, development, and cross-functional teams.
• Partner with Product Management to support product specifications and business requirements.
• Participate in cross-functional teams to execute development milestones and resolve issues.
• Support sales and custom product needs as required.

Position Specifics:

• This is a full-time position
• Typical workdays are Monday – Friday
• This position is based out of the Costa Mesa, CA office
• This position requires in-office attendance at least 4 days per week (subject to increase in future).
• This position is expected to travel approximately 1-2 a year to overseas factories.

Pay Transparency:

• The Company is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation. Final compensation will be determined by various factors such as your relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.
• The salary range for this role in Fountain Valley, CA is $85,000.00 - $95,000.00.
• In addition, you may be eligible for additional compensation, such as a bonus. Employees may also be eligible for a wide range of other benefits, including health & wellness benefits, retirement, time off, employee discounts, and others.

Required Education & Experience:

• +7 years Product design & development of sports performance products with experience working with product managers and manufacturers (international)
• Preferred degree in apparel and/or industrial design.
• Preferred graphic design skills.
• Ability to produce tech-packs
• Design and development experience with both hardgoods and softgoods
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator
• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop
• Excellent creative skills associated with innovative product design
• Proficient using MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is required
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to succeed within a team driven business environment
• Demonstrate strong work ethic, reliability, teamwork and flexibility
• Ability to manage multi-task requirements on a daily basis
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must be available for a flexible schedule of domestic and international travel (1-2x per year)
• Must successfully pass criminal background check
• Must have valid driver's license

Physical Demands:

Candidate must be able to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with ability to: sit/; use hands to finger, handle, and feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

United Sports Brands is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.