Associate Product Designer

About the role

This individual contributor role is responsible for designing seasonal product concepts to support Ruffwear’s goal of building performance dog gear to enhance and inspire exploration for outdoor adventurers and their human companions. This role works with the Design, Development, Product Line Management, and Product Operations teams from concept to commercialization hand-off to create products that meet the brand's long-range strategy, calendars, design principles, and Go-To-Market goals.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Director, Product Design to execute the design process for assigned projects, from initial ideation and functional decision-making through design approval.
• Ideate and develop innovative solutions using sketching, digital drawings, CAD, and in-house 3D prototyping (cut-and-sew & 3D printing).
• Present and communicate design concepts, thinking, and research analysis to the Design and Development teams, applying feedback across multiple iterations.
• Conduct and/or direct all necessary testing, including proof-of-concept, fit testing, and size grading, to validate product functionality.
• Analyze customer surveys, product reviews, focus groups, and wear testing feedback to inform design decisions.
• Create and manage tech packs, artwork documents, and notes for each project, meeting assigned deadlines.
• Design new packaging concepts when necessary, including substrate, die line, and on-product placement.
• Partner with the Development team on patterning and sampling to ensure manufacturability, review costing to refine designs, and provide final approval for commercialization.
• Absorb and apply feedback from cross-functional teams to improve product development processes.
• Absorb and apply feedback from cross-functional teams to improve product development processes.
• Assist in documentation updates for special make-up and working dog product lines.
• Be a curious and continuous steward of the Ruffwear design philosophy and principles.

Requirements

• At least 1 year of experience in product design, technical design, or fashion design.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Product Design or related field.
• Strong understanding of design principles with a clear eye for visual aesthetics across product categories.
• High degree of curiosity and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated, with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding and passion for outdoor gear, and knowledge of how technical softgoods can work together to enhance our outdoor adventures.
• A keen eye for detail and a passion for creativity.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in computer-aided 2D design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and 3D CAD software (Fusion 360, Solidworks).
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Project Management software (Asana preferred).

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in product design, technical design, or fashion design.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Product Design or related field.
• Strong understanding of design principles with a clear eye for visual aesthetics across product categories.
• High degree of curiosity and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated, with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding and passion for outdoor gear, and knowledge of how technical softgoods can work together to enhance our outdoor adventures.
• A keen eye for detail and a passion for creativity.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in computer-aided 2D design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and 3D CAD software (Fusion 360, Solidworks).
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Project Management software (Asana preferred).

Skills

• Sketching
• Digital drawing
• CAD
• In-house 3D prototyping (cut-and-sew & 3D printing)
• Customer surveys
• Product reviews
• Focus groups
• Wear testing feedback
• Computer-aided 2D design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop)
• 3D CAD software (Fusion 360, Solidworks)
• Google Workspace
• Project Management software (Asana preferred)

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.
• Company-paid employee assistance plan, life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability.
• Flexible Time Off for full-time roles, PTO for part-time roles.
• 12 weeks of paid parental, family, and medical leave.
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with 3% employer match.
• Month of Unleashed Discovery (sabbatical leave) every 5 years.
• Quarterly Bonus Incentive Opportunity.
• Discounts on Ruffwear gear and Industry Pro Deals.
• Incredibly talented peer community & industry leading brand.

Pay

Competitive pay. The expected base salary range for this role is $70,000-$80,000 annually (exclusive of fringe benefits & potential quarterly bonuses). If you are hired at Ruffwear, your final base salary will be determined based on factors such as job-related skills and competencies and experience brought to the role. In addition to those factors, Ruffwear also prioritizes internal equity of current Pack members as part of any final offer. Total cash compensation is contingent on targeted company performance achievement. Therefore, target total cash compensation may vary annually.

Schedule

Full-time. Occasional domestic travel may be required to attend training or company meetings/events. International travel with extended duration (3 weeks or more) is required twice per year to meet with manufacturing partners and suppliers.