United Sports Brands seeks a Designer/Developer (Soft Goods) for an onsite role in Costa Mesa, CA. The position centers on designing and developing protective apparel, equipment, and accessories with an emphasis on soft goods and select hard good components, coordinating with supply chain partners and factories from concept through production readiness.
Responsibilities
- Monitor industry trends, competitive brands, materials, and manufacturing innovations to guide product direction.
- Contribute to strategic initiatives through innovative product design and development concepts.
- Collaborate with teammates to evolve concepts from ideation through commercialization.
- Maintain development timelines across multiple concurrent projects.
- Implement timely design revisions that balance performance, cost, and manufacturability goals.
- Prepare and own detailed tech packs for initial samples and all subsequent revisions.
- Partner with factories to communicate design intent, construction details, and development updates.
- Review prototypes with Technical Design to ensure alignment on fit, construction, and overall execution.
- Participate in fit sessions and provide actionable feedback to overseas factories to meet standards.
- Manage multiple product development projects 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.
- Collaborate with Product Management to support product specifications and business requirements.
- Participate in cross-functional teams to achieve development milestones and resolve issues.
- Support sales and custom product needs as required.
Requirements
- 7+ years of product design and development for sports performance products, with experience collaborating with product managers and international manufacturers.
- Preferred degree in apparel and/or industrial design.
- Preferred graphic design skills.
- Ability to produce tech packs.
- Experience designing and developing both hard goods and soft goods.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator.
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop.
- Strong creative skills tied to innovative product design.
- Proficiency with MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to thrive in a team driven environment.
- Demonstrated work ethic, reliability, teamwork, and flexibility.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks daily.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (1–2 times per year).
- Must pass a criminal background check.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
Technologies
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- MS Office suite: Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
Benefits
- Fair, equitable, and transparent compensation; final amounts determined by experience, education, certifications, skills, and location.
- Salary range: $85,000 – $95,000 per year.
- Bonus eligibility.
- Health and wellness benefits.
- Retirement plan options.
- Paid time off.
- Employee discounts.
- Additional benefits.
Position Details
- Employment type: Full-time
- Typical workdays: Monday to Friday
- Location: Costa Mesa, CA office
- In-office attendance required at least 4 days per week (subject to increase in future)
- Travel approximately 1–2 times per year to overseas factories
Pay Transparency
The company is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation. Final compensation will be determined by factors such as 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. Eligible for bonus consideration and a broad benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, time off, employee discounts, and others.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not include leadership responsibilities.
Required Education & Experience
- 7+ years of product design and development for sports performance products with experience collaborating with product managers and international manufacturers.
- Preferred degree in apparel and/or industrial design.
- Preferred graphic design skills.
- Ability to produce tech packs.
- Experience designing and developing both hard goods and soft goods.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
- Proficiency with MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to succeed in a team driven environment.
- Strong work ethic, reliability, teamwork, and flexibility.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks daily.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (1–2x per year).
- Must pass a criminal background check.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
Physical Demands
Candidates must be able to sit and use hands to finger, handle, and feel. They should be able to reach with arms and talk or hear. The role may require standing, walking, climbing or balancing, and occasional kneeling or crouching. Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work typically occurs in an office setting with a moderate noise level. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties. The environment supports collaboration across teams and departments to meet development milestones.
