Product Developer - Soft Goods

YOU HAVE

• 2 years experience with pattern making or technical design with the soft goods industries, or equivalent.
• Experience with CAD or software like PatternSmith.
• Experience with soft goods, fabrics, and/or sewing

YOU WILL

• Brainstorm new product ideas and design sketches/mockups to visualize product features and user experience
• Produce patterns and templates for production
• Create functional product samples to test design concepts and gather feedback
• Research and test potential new materials and fabrics for products
• Maintain and develop the Bill of Materials and tech packs
• Support production by maintaining template and pattern resources

ABOUT THE POSITION

Vanmade Gear is a leader in the soft goods industry for camper vans since 2017. We are a fast growing company that values innovation and pride ourselves on high quality products and world-class customer service.

In this role, you are responsible for creating production ready patterns and supporting the production process through producing tech packs and BOM, managing samples, maintaining the template library, and performing batching optimization for cutting. It also includes interacting with material vendors to identify, assess, and source.

HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

MATERIAL KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT:

• Stay up to date and identify developments in materials, including options for materials, fabrics, foam, notions, and hardware to apply them to your work.
• Manage and communicate with potential material vendors and suppliers to acquire test samples and materials.
• Perform testing to determine the feasibility and usage of new materials.

TEMPLATE / PATTERNS:

• Understand the opportunities and limitations of sewing soft goods and apply that to templates and pattern development.
• Create templates and patterns that accurately and clearly convey design concepts and elements, illustrate technical data and specifications like proper proportion, shape and style attributes and features.
• Manage and maintain the template/pattern library to be a resource for other departments.
• Be proficient in CAD and other software and use them appropriately to create drafts of patterns and templates.

SAMPLE PROCESS:

• Create and sew production ready samples of products as assigned.
• Perform test-fit sessions of prototypes, patterns, and samples, identifying areas of success and areas for improvement.

BATCHING / CUTTING:

• Perform batch optimization, using PatternSmith, for production and aim for efficiency and cost-effectiveness by manipulating the batch tables.
• Manage the rush and sample batches with awareness and coordination of resources.
• Organize and maintain special handling rack.

DATA AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

• Create, update, and organize technical data in tech packs and other files to be used by production, shipping, and office staff.
• Ensure patterns, tech packs, samples, and deliverables meet Vanmade Gear construction standards and accuracy, ensuring product quality and productive workflow.

Other tasks, projects, and assignments as designated by the owner.

COMPENSATION
Vanmade Gear is a nimble and fast-growing small business. Our compensation package includes health insurance offerings as well as opportunities for career growth.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $32.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Please tell us at least two time windows you're available for a short 15 minute call to confirm interest in this position.

Experience:

• Sewing: 2 years (Required)
• Pattern Making / Technical Design: 2 years (Required)
• CAD: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $32