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Freelance Soft Goods Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skip

Soft Goods Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$137K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated and adaptable soft goods designer who is excited to solve problems that have never existed before - because the product category hasn't existed before. You will own ...

TOPS Products

Soft Goods Designer

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$137K/yr

The Industrial Designer will support the design team's effort to create products to better meet the needs of our customers. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: • Participate in various design ...

topsproducts

Soft Goods Designer

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$137K/yr

The Industrial Designer will support the design team's effort to create products to better meet the needs of our customers. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: · Participate in various design ...

topsproducts

Soft Goods Designer

Laguna Hills, CA

$137K/yr

The Industrial Designer will support the design team's effort to create products to better meet the needs of our customers. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: · Participate in various design ...

Cimarron

Soft Goods Technician

Cedar Park, TX · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

Posting/External Job Title Soft Goods Technician Location TX 78613 US (Primary) Remote/Onsite ... designed to recognize our amazing employees and their accomplishments, you will not only feel like ...

World View

Manufacturing Soft Goods Technician

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

$20 - $25 an hour Manufacturing Soft Goods Technician Industrial Sewing Onsite in Tucson, AZ Company ... Our modern office is designed to keep you inspired and energized, with a fully stocked kitchen, on ...

Vast

Staff Manufacturing Engineer, Soft Goods

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$162K - $230K/yr

... soft-goods (Cargo bags, closeouts, protective blankets, etc.) * Work closely with our Product ... Make sure that all designs and systems are manufacturable and reliable * Coordinate with QA to Lead ...

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Freelance Soft Goods Designer information

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$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance soft goods designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance soft goods designer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Soft Goods Designer vs Freelance Textile Designer?

AspectFreelance Soft Goods DesignerFreelance Textile Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, design experience, sometimes fashion or product design backgroundPortfolio, textile design skills, often fashion or interior design knowledge
Work EnvironmentDesigning soft goods like bags, plush toys, home decor itemsCreating patterns and prints for fabrics used in fashion, home, or industrial products
Industry UsageFashion, home goods, accessories, toy manufacturingFashion, interior design, upholstery, industrial textiles

While both roles involve textile and fabric design, Freelance Soft Goods Designers focus on creating physical soft products, whereas Freelance Textile Designers specialize in designing patterns and prints for fabrics. The skills and industry applications overlap but serve different end products.

How do freelance soft goods designers typically manage client communication and project timelines?

Freelance soft goods designers often work with multiple clients simultaneously, which requires clear and proactive communication to manage expectations and deadlines. They usually utilize project management tools or set up regular check-ins to update clients on progress and gather feedback. Because projects may range from initial concept sketches to final prototypes, it's essential to establish milestones and delivery dates early on. Effective time management and flexibility are key to accommodating revisions and ensuring client satisfaction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Soft Goods Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Soft Goods Designer, you need a solid background in textile design, pattern making, and sewing, typically supported by a degree in fashion, industrial design, or a related field. Proficiency in design software (such as Adobe Illustrator or CAD programs), fabric sourcing, and prototyping tools is important. Strong communication, creativity, and time management skills help you collaborate with clients and manage multiple projects effectively. These skills ensure you can deliver innovative, high-quality designs that meet client needs and deadlines in a competitive freelance market.

What is a Freelance Soft Goods Designer?

A Freelance Soft Goods Designer is a professional who specializes in designing products made from soft materials such as fabrics, leather, and foam. These products can include items like bags, backpacks, apparel, footwear, and home textiles. As a freelancer, they work independently with multiple clients or brands to create prototypes, technical drawings, and production-ready designs. Their work often involves trend research, material selection, and collaborating with manufacturers to bring designs to life.
What cities are hiring for Freelance Soft Goods Designer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Soft Goods Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Soft Goods Designer jobs? The most popular types of Soft Goods Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Soft Goods Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Soft Goods Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Soft Goods Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Soft Goods Designer jobs are:
Freelance Soft Goods Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Soft Goods Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
Soft Goods Designer

Soft Goods Designer

Skip

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 hours ago

Job description

ABOUT US:
Skip is on a mission to make life joyful through powered movement.
Movement is a powerful way to build physical, mental and social health. Yet it is elusive for 2 billion people due to age, injury, or disability. We are building productsthat will restore mobility for millions and enable a new frontier of joyful movement experiences. We want to build a future where a grandparent can easily outrun their grandkids and no one is left behind at the trailhead.
Skip is a 22-person early-stage start-up that spun out of Google X in 2023. With deep cross-disciplinary expertise and key partnerships (e.g. with Arc'teryx) we are uniquely positioned to launch the first commercially successful wearable robotic device, the MO/GO, develop a platform to launch future Movewear products and transform millions of lives in the coming years.
THE ROLE:
We are seeking a highly motivated and adaptable soft goods designer who is excited to solve problems that have never existed before - because the product category hasn't existed before.
You will own the design and development of the garments that integrate with the MO/GO, starting with a technical pant built to work with our wearable robotic device. This isn't a fashion brief. It's a functional systems design challenge: the garment is part of the product. You'll work hand-in-hand with our mechanical and human factors engineers to make sure fabric, fit, and device work as one.
Some of the specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Lead the design and technical development of the MO/GO integration pant from concept through production - pattern making, material selection, fit iteration, and factory handoff
  • Define the functional requirements of the garment in close collaboration with our mechanical, firmware, and human factors teams - attachment points, range of motion, load paths, and sensor placement all live in your brief
  • Select and qualify technical fabrics and materials for performance bottoms: stretch wovens, knits, softshells, and any novel material that earns its place on the body
  • Build and iterate physical prototypes rapidly; run fit sessions with internal wearers and external test users and translate feedback into pattern and material updates
  • Own the Bill of Materials, tech packs, and construction specs to a standard that factories can execute reliably at scale
  • Establish and manage relationships with fabric mills, trims suppliers, and cut-and-sew factories; understand lead times, MOQs, and what it takes to actually get something made
  • Contribute to the long-term Movewear soft goods platform - define the design language, material standards, and construction principles that future products will build on
  • Collaborate with our Arc'teryx partners and bring that standard of craft and technical rigour to everything you make
  • Wear prototypes on hikes, in the gym, and around the office - your body is a test rig
Basic Qualifications
  • 8+ years' experience in soft goods design and development, with a focus on technical bottoms
  • 5+ years at an outdoor, performance, or technical apparel company - you know what makes a pant work in the field
  • Expert-level knowledge of technical fabrics for lower body: stretch wovens, softshells, knits, and the trims and hardware that go with them
  • Strong pattern making and garment construction fundamentals - you can read and mark up a pattern, not just a mood board
  • Experience writing tech packs and managing factory relationships through production
  • Ability to relocate to work at the Skip Bay Area office
  • Sense of humour, tolerant of Aussie & Canadian spelling
Bonus Points
  • Experience designing garments that integrate with hardware, bracing, or orthotic devices
  • Familiarity with human factors, ergonomics, or biomechanics as they apply to garment design
  • Experience with medical or assistive device adjacent apparel (compression, prosthetics interface, exosuit softgoods)
  • Experience in start-up or early-stage product environments
  • Personal motivation to improve human movement
  • Taylor Swift fan. Good taste in background music :)

This is a full time hybrid position working at the Skip office in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco.
Skip is an equal opportunity employer. Our hiring decisions are based on need and competence to satisfy said need. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected status.
Any and all offers of employment extended by Skip are conditional on candidates' ability to provide satisfactory proof of eligibility to maintain full-time employment in the United States.

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