ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Product Development Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProduct Development Designer Jobs

Product Development Designer information

See salary details

$50K

$144.4K

$206K

How much do product development designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development designer in the United States is $144,360.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Product Development Designer vs Industrial Designer?

AspectProduct Development DesignerIndustrial Designer
CredentialsTypically holds a degree in product design, industrial design, or related fieldsRequires a degree in industrial design, product design, or similar
Work EnvironmentWorks in product teams, collaborating with engineers, marketers, and manufacturersWorks in design studios or corporate offices, focusing on product aesthetics and usability
Industry UsageCommon in consumer electronics, appliances, and tech productsPrevalent in furniture, automotive, and consumer product industries

Product Development Designers focus on creating functional, manufacturable products, often collaborating across teams. Industrial Designers emphasize aesthetics, user experience, and form, often working on conceptual and visual aspects. Both roles require design skills and industry knowledge but differ in scope and focus.

Is 40 too old to become a UX designer?

Product Development Designers and UX designers come from diverse backgrounds, and age is not a barrier to entering the field. Many successful designers start or transition into UX at various ages, often leveraging skills like user research, prototyping, and familiarity with design tools such as Figma or Adobe XD. Continuous learning and building a strong portfolio are key factors for career change regardless of age.

What are Product Development Designers?

Product Development Designers are professionals who conceptualize, design, and develop new products or improve existing ones. They work closely with engineering, marketing, and manufacturing teams to ensure that products are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and meet market needs. Their responsibilities include creating prototypes, conducting user research, and overseeing the design process from initial idea to final production. Product Development Designers play a critical role in bringing innovative products to market efficiently and effectively.

Is AI replacing product designers?

AI is transforming the role of product designers by automating repetitive tasks and providing data-driven insights, but it does not replace the need for human creativity, user empathy, and strategic thinking. Product designers continue to focus on user experience, visual design, and problem-solving, often using AI tools to enhance their work. Developing skills in design software, user research, and AI integration remains important for the role.

How does a Product Development Designer typically collaborate with other departments during the product creation process?

Product Development Designers work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, marketers, and manufacturing specialists, to ensure that product concepts are both innovative and feasible. Regular meetings and brainstorming sessions help align design vision with technical constraints and market needs. Effective communication is key, as designers often need to adjust their concepts based on feedback from these departments, ensuring the final product meets quality, cost, and user experience standards. This collaborative environment fosters creative solutions and helps streamline the product development lifecycle.

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

To thrive as a Product Development Designer, you need strong skills in product design, prototyping, and an understanding of manufacturing processes, typically supported by a degree in industrial design or a related field. Proficiency with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and familiarity with design thinking methodologies are commonly required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are important soft skills that help foster innovation and teamwork. These skills ensure the successful creation of functional, market-ready products that meet user needs and business objectives.

Is product designer a high paying job?

Product designers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. In many regions, experienced product designers with skills in user experience, prototyping tools, and cross-functional collaboration can achieve higher compensation levels. Overall, it is considered a well-paying role within the design and tech fields.

What is the role of designer in product development?

A product development designer is responsible for creating and refining the visual and functional aspects of a product, ensuring user needs and usability are prioritized. They collaborate with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders, often using tools like CAD or prototyping software, to develop concepts from ideation to final design within project timelines.
More about Product Development Designer jobs
What states have the most Product Development Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Product Development Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Product Development Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Product Development Designer jobs are:
Product Development Designer jobs near you
Director Materials & Product Development-HYBRID

Director Materials & Product Development-HYBRID

Designer Brands

Manhattan, NY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

Designer Brands rating

4.6

Company rating: 4.6 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee's unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of "We Love What We Do," "We Own What We Do," "We Do What's Right," and "We Belong," we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.
Director, Materials and Product Development
The Opportunity
At Designer Brands, we're passionate about bringing great design to life in a way that resonates with customers and stands the test of time. As the Director, Materials and Product Development, you will play a critical role in turning creative vision into products that are not only beautiful, but also practical, high-quality, and ready for the real world.
This role sits at the center of design, sourcing, and production-connecting ideas to execution. You'll lead the development of materials and product strategies across the lifecycle, helping teams make smart decisions that balance creativity, cost, quality, and sustainability. Your work will shape how our products come to life season after season. This position is HYBRID to our NYC office.
What You'll Be Doing
Leading End-to-End Development
  • Lead materials and product development initiatives from concept through preproduction, ensuring alignment with brand DNA, quality standards, cost targets, and delivery timelines
  • Manage the full lifecycle of development, balancing design intent with manufacturability and scalability
  • Establish and maintain development calendars, milestone tracking, and sample management processes to support on-time execution

Bringing Design to Life
  • Partner with Design to translate creative vision into technically feasible products and material solutions
  • Guide teams in evaluating construction methods, performance needs, and aesthetic expectations
  • Build and maintain global footwear materials and embellishment toolboxes in partnership with cross-functional teams

Driving Material Innovation
  • Oversee research, development, selection, and commercialization of materials, including leathers, textiles, synthetics, trims, and embellishments
  • Monitor market trends, emerging technologies, and consumer insights to inform product and materials direction
  • Explore opportunities to enhance product through innovation and evolving material capabilities

Optimizing Quality, Cost & Execution
  • Educate and support teams in understanding cost drivers, manufacturability, and margin implications early in development
  • Ensure accurate, complete, and production-ready product and material documentation
  • Collaborate with Global Sourcing and Production teams to align on vendor capabilities and ensure smooth transition to bulk production

Building Partnerships & Team Capability
  • Build strong vendor relationships to support feasibility reviews, technical problem-solving, and continuous improvement
  • Lead and develop a team (3-7 direct reports), fostering collaboration, accountability, and growth
  • Partner across functions and with senior leadership to influence decisions and drive aligned outcomes

What You'll Need
Core Expertise
  • Excellent technical knowledge of leather and materials, constructions, and finishing
  • Strong understanding of footwear or product construction and manufacturing processes
  • Solid grasp of cost engineering, margin drivers, and commercialization requirements

Leadership & Collaboration
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional materials and product development teams
  • Experience influencing stakeholders across functions and at senior levels
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ways of Working
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to translate creative design intent into practical, executable solutions
  • Process-oriented mindset with experience driving standardization and continuous improvement

Qualifications
Minimum Experience
  • 8-10+ years of experience in leathers, materials research and development, and product development
  • Direct experience working with global vendors and manufacturing partners, including Asia
  • 3-5+ years of people leadership experience

Minimum Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Engineering, Textile Science, Fashion Design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience

Preferred
  • Experience integrating sustainability initiatives into material and product development
  • Footwear, apparel, or accessories industry background
  • Exposure to digital material libraries, PLM systems, or 3D development tools

Perks and Benefits You'll Enjoy!
  • Your Sole Well-Being: Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our offerings at https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi
  • Stride with Flexibility: We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired-wherever you do your best work.
  • Stepping Up Your Career: Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
  • We are Shoe-Obsessed: Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you'll enjoy 30% off at DSW & DSW.com, plus discounts across our family of brands.

What Designer Brands employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Designer Brands logo

About Designer Brands

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Designer Brands Inc. is one of North America's largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories. * Designer Brands Inc. operates a portfolio of retail concepts in nearly 1,000 locations under the DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Shoe Warehouse brands and operates leased locations in the U.S through its Affiliated Business Group. * Designer Brands designs and produces footwear and accessories through Camuto Group, a leading manufacturer selling in more than 5,400 doors worldwide.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Columbus, OH, US

Year founded

1969

View All Designer Brands Jobs

Apply