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Fashion Product Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

AKIRA

Footwear Product Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Company: AKIRA About AKIRA & Azalea Wang AKIRA is a fast-fashion powerhouse fueled by speed ... Manage all design and development deliverables, ensuring internal deadlines are met to support on ...

Akira

Footwear Product Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Company: AKIRA About AKIRA & Azalea Wang AKIRA is a fast-fashion powerhouse fueled by speed ... Manage all design and development deliverables, ensuring internal deadlines are met to support on ...

AKIRA

Footwear Product Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

Company: AKIRA About AKIRA & Azalea Wang AKIRA is a fast-fashion powerhouse fueled by speed ... Manage all design and development deliverables, ensuring internal deadlines are met to support on ...

Springs Window Fashions

Product Engineer I

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

... Fashions. As North America's premier window covering company, we're committed to creating the Best ... development, and testing to validate product designs. • Collaborate with manufacturing to ...

Springs Window Fashions

Product Engineer I

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

... Fashions. As North America's premier window covering company, we're committed to creating the Best ... Conduct feasibility studies, prototype development, and testing to validate product designs.

Springs Window Fashions

Product Engineer I

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

... Fashions. As North America's premier window covering company, we're committed to creating the Best ... studies, prototype development, and testing to validate product designs. · Collaborate with ...

Springs Window Fashions

Product Engineer I

Waukegan, IL

$75K - $82K/yr

... Fashions. As North America's premier window covering company, we're committed to creating the Best ... Conduct feasibility studies, prototype development, and testing to validate product designs.

AKIRA

Fashion Stylist FT - Orland Park

Orland Park, IL · On-site

$18 - $30/hr

Maintaining a thorough understanding of AKIRA's product offerings. * Exceeding individual sales ... We're committed to internal growth, providing meaningful development and career advancement ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Joliet, IL · On-site

$15/hr

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

North Riverside, IL · On-site

$15/hr

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Fairview Heights, IL · On-site

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Rockford, IL · On-site

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Joliet, IL · On-site

$15/hr

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Orland Park, IL · On-site

$15/hr

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Gurnee, IL · On-site

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Lombard, IL · On-site

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

WINDSOR FASHIONS LLC

Stylist

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$15/hr

... fashion and Windsor products with our customers. Your styling tips help our customers feel ... Opportunities for development, ongoing training and potential for advancement. Just ask how many of ...

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All JobsFashion Product Development JobsFashion Product Development Jobs in Illinois

Fashion Product Development information

See Illinois salary details

$41.2K

$123.1K

$140K

How much do fashion product development jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for fashion product development in Illinois is $123,054.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $138,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Jobs in Fashion Product Development?

Fashion product development jobs include a variety of positions focused on the design, production, and marketing of consumer fashion products. In this field, you may help assess or create demand for products, coordinate projects with other personnel, or maintain product sample libraries. Many aspects of this job depend on the type of fashion products your company creates. For example, companies that produce skin creams typically have very different production lines and testing protocols than companies that produce hair accessories. In this context, fashion refers to both physical items and associated appearance-related products, including the broader beauty industry. Women make up a significant percentage of customers for these jobs, but some fashion product development jobs focus on products for male customers instead.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fashion Product Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fashion Product Developer, you need a solid understanding of textile science, garment construction, trend analysis, and a degree in fashion design or a related field. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Illustrator, PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems, and technical specification tools is typical. Strong project management, attention to detail, and collaboration skills set exceptional candidates apart in this role. These abilities ensure that products are innovative, meet quality standards, and are delivered efficiently from concept to market.

What are the main challenges faced by professionals in Fashion Product Development, and how can they be addressed?

One of the main challenges in Fashion Product Development is balancing creativity with commercial viability while meeting tight deadlines. Professionals often need to collaborate closely with designers, merchandisers, suppliers, and manufacturers to ensure products are not only innovative but also feasible to produce at scale and within budget. Staying updated on market trends and consumer preferences adds another layer of complexity. Building strong communication and project management skills can help address these challenges, as can developing a thorough understanding of the production process and supply chain.

What is fashion product development?

Fashion product development is the process of taking a clothing or accessory idea from initial concept to finished product, ready for market. It involves researching trends, designing, selecting materials, creating prototypes, and coordinating production. Fashion product developers work closely with designers, manufacturers, and merchandisers to ensure the final product meets quality, cost, and brand requirements. This role is crucial for bringing new fashion items to consumers efficiently and successfully.

What is the difference between Fashion Product Development vs Fashion Merchandising?

AspectFashion Product DevelopmentFashion Merchandising
Primary FocusDesigning, creating, and developing new fashion products from concept to productionPlanning, buying, and selling fashion products to maximize sales and profitability
Skills & CredentialsDesign skills, technical knowledge, understanding of manufacturing processesMarket analysis, sales strategies, inventory management
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, manufacturing facilities, product development teamsRetail stores, showrooms, corporate offices
Industry UsageUsed by brands, manufacturers, and product development teamsUsed by retailers, buyers, and merchandising teams

Fashion Product Development focuses on creating new fashion items, from initial design to production, emphasizing technical and creative skills. In contrast, Fashion Merchandising centers on marketing, selling, and managing inventory to drive sales. Both roles are essential in the fashion industry but serve different stages of the product lifecycle.

More about Fashion Product Development jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Fashion Product Development jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Fashion Product Development jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Fashion Product Development jobs in Illinois? For Fashion Product Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Fashion Product Development jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Fashion Product Development jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Fashion Product Development jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Fashion Product Development job openings:
Fashion Product Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fashion Product Development job openings in Illinois as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $123,054 per year, or $59.2 per hour.
Footwear Product Developer

Footwear Product Developer

AKIRA

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Akira rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Company: AKIRA

About AKIRA & Azalea Wang
AKIRA is a fast-fashion powerhouse fueled by speed, creativity, and hustle. At Azalea Wang, we move fast, think big, and work collaboratively. Everyone has a voice here, ideas are encouraged, and self-starters thrive. We’re a tight-knit, high-energy team that shows up every day ready to push product forward together.
Footwear Product Developer
Brand: AZALEA WANG
Reports to: Head of Product & Design for Wholesale, Azalea Wang

The Role
We’re looking for a Footwear Product Developer who lives at the intersection of design, development, and execution. This role is critical to bringing bold Azalea Wang footwear and accessories from concept to line sample, on time and on margin. You’ll partner closely with Design, Product, Buyers/Sales, and external manufacturing partners to ensure product is executed with speed, accuracy, and quality in a true fast-fashion environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Partner with the Product Assistant to manage and maintain the footwear and accessories material library, organized for self-service across product and cross-functional teams.

  • Collaborate with Design at concept stage to identify and source new materials and constructions.

  • Manage the full product lifecycle from concept submission through final line sample delivery, following critical path deadlines and communicating closely with Design, Sales, and cross-functional partners.

  • Create and submit detailed, accurate tech packs to external manufacturing partners to ensure clear execution aligned with design intent.

  • Own seasonal assortment tools by vendor across all product categories.

  • Manage all design and development deliverables, ensuring internal deadlines are met to support on-time external execution.

  • Assist the Merchandising Manager with product and material cost negotiations to achieve target LDP margins.

  • Own the fit and development process, partnering with Product to identify and recommend improvements in aesthetics, fit, and quality.

  • Run fit sessions with the Product team, taking detailed notes and photos and clearly communicating required changes to vendors.

  • Identify second proto needs and required wear testing for high-risk styles and new constructions, ensuring clear communication with factories.

  • Partner with Design to own and maintain accurate, up-to-date linesheets.

  • Ensure a clean and thorough handoff of all pending development to the Production team upon PO placement to streamline communication by function.

  • Proactively identify and solve development bottlenecks, material issues, and costing challenges.

  • Support system and data management, including PLM updates and ad hoc reporting as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

  • 3–5 years of experience in footwear product development.

  • Deep understanding of footwear construction, materials, components, and manufacturing processes.

  • Familiarity with footwear and accessory materials and material performance standards.

  • Strong project management and exceptional organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.

  • Highly detail-oriented with a proven ability to meet tight deadlines and cost targets.

  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, both internally and with external partners.

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly across broader teams.

  • Experience working in PLM systems (Centric preferred).

  • Proficiency in Adobe Suite and Google Suite.

  • Self-starter mentality with a collaborative, team-first attitude.

Why You’ll Love It Here

  • Fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where ideas move quickly into product.

  • Collaborative culture where everyone’s voice matters.

  • High visibility role with real ownership and impact.

  • Opportunity to build bold, fashion-forward footwear at scale.

If you thrive in a high-energy environment, love problem-solving, and are passionate about footwear development, Azalea Wang at AKIRA is the place to hustle, grow, and make your mark.