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Senior Soft Goods Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Upholstery & Hard Goods Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$111K - $119K/yr

Role Overview We are looking for a Senior Hard Goods Designer to lead the design and development of hard goods product lines across our DTC brand portfolio. This role sits at the intersection of ...

In the Senior Product Developer role, the focus lies on overseeing the creation and implementation ... Create Bill of Materials (BOMs) and coordinate prototyping of assigned soft good designs across the ...

In the Senior Product Developer role, the focus lies on overseeing the creation and implementation ... Create Bill of Materials (BOMs) and coordinate prototyping of assigned soft good designs across the ...

Currently, we are hiring Soft Goods Technicians to join our team. We offer industry leading ... Able to distinguish colors and align intricate or elaborate designs in fabrics * Able to lift and ...

Currently, we are hiring Soft Goods Technicians to join our team. We offer industry leading ... Able to distinguish colors and align intricate or elaborate designs in fabrics * Able to lift and ...

We're looking for a talented Product / Textile Designer with experience in bedding, throws, blankets, and decorative soft goods to join our growing team. In this role, you'll bring seasonal ...

Sr. Industrial Designer - Luggage

Denver, CO · On-site

$105K - $112K/yr

As a member of the YETI Soft Goods Industrial Design Team, a successful candidate willpossessadeep ... The Sr.Industrial Designer- Luggagewill champion industrial design efforts of new YETIBags and ...

The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with strong soft goods expertise, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for designing equipment that performs when mission success depends ...

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Senior Soft Goods Designer information

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$59K

$105.9K

$131K

How much do senior soft goods designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior soft goods designer in the United States is $105,882.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior soft goods designer?

Senior Soft Goods Designers are experienced professionals who specialize in designing products made from flexible materials such as textiles, leather, and foam. They typically work on items like backpacks, apparel, luggage, footwear, and other soft goods, blending aesthetics with functionality. Senior designers are responsible for concept development, material selection, prototyping, and overseeing the design process from start to finish. They often lead teams, collaborate with engineers and manufacturers, and ensure that products meet quality, usability, and brand standards.

What are some common challenges faced by senior soft goods designers when balancing functionality and aesthetics in product development?

Senior Soft Goods Designers often encounter the challenge of creating products that are both visually appealing and highly functional. Balancing innovative design with practical considerations like material durability, manufacturability, and cost constraints is a key part of the role. Collaboration with engineers, product managers, and manufacturers is essential to ensure that the final product meets both design intent and performance requirements. Effective communication and iterative prototyping are crucial strategies to address these challenges and deliver successful products.

What is the difference between Senior Soft Goods Designer vs Soft Goods Designer?

AspectSenior Soft Goods DesignerSoft Goods Designer
CredentialsTypically requires 5+ years experience, portfolio, and industry knowledgeEntry to mid-level experience, portfolio often required
Work EnvironmentDesign teams within apparel, outdoor gear, or fashion companiesDesign teams in similar industries, often collaborating with product development
ResponsibilitiesLeading design projects, mentoring juniors, overseeing product linesCreating designs, developing prototypes, supporting senior staff

Senior Soft Goods Designers usually have more experience, leadership responsibilities, and oversee entire product lines, while Soft Goods Designers focus on creating and developing individual designs. Both roles work closely within the same industry and environment, but the senior position involves more strategic and managerial duties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior soft goods designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Soft Goods Designer, you need expertise in textile design, pattern making, and product development, usually backed by a degree in industrial, fashion, or product design. Proficiency with CAD software (such as Adobe Illustrator and Rhino), technical drawing tools, and familiarity with materials testing are typically required. Strong creative vision, collaboration, and project management skills set standout designers apart in this role. These skills are essential for developing innovative, high-quality soft goods that meet user needs and business goals in a competitive market.
What cities are hiring for Senior Soft Goods Designer jobs? Cities with the most Senior 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 Senior Soft Goods Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Soft Goods Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Soft Goods Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Soft Goods Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Soft Goods Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,882 per year, or $50.9 per hour.

Product Development Engineer - Soft Goods

Central Garden & Pet

Fort Wayne, IN

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Central Garden & Pet rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Central Garden & Pet

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,941 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

The best things about working at Central Garden & Pet

  • 97%

    97% say they get paid breaks

    say they get paid breaks

  • 94%

    94% say it is easy to take sick days

    say it is easy to take sick days

  • 94%

    94% say they don’t worry about hours

    say they don’t worry about hours

Featured by Central Garden & Pet, based on 41 Breakroom Quiz responses from their frontline employees


Job description

Description

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Central Home Brands is a division of Central Garden & Pet, focused on designing and manufacturing soft goods (outdoor cushions, pillows, and pet products) for both Retail and eCommerce.
 
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re building the next generation of outdoor and pet products—and we’re looking for a Product Development Engineer to help bring them to life. You’ll work hands-on with products, collaborate directly with manufacturing, and have real influence on how products are designed and produced at scale.
 
The Product Development Engineer will focus on engineering initiatives at our Fort Wayne, IN manufacturing facility, while working closely with cross-functional partners, including Product Development, Design, Sales, Operations, and Sourcing. The ideal candidate has experience in textile engineering and demonstrates a strong work ethic, flexibility, and attention to detail.  They will leverage their experience in product design, materials, manufacturing processes, and quality systems to ensure products meet performance, cost, and aesthetic requirements.
 
This position reports to the Director of Product Development and may be based in Bingham Farms, MI (Corporate) or Fort Wayne, IN (Manufacturing Plant). Domestic travel between 25% to 50% is required.
 
If you’re excited about building consumer products from concept to production in a collaborative, hands-on environment, we’d love to hear from you!
 
What You’ll Do
  • Engineer products from concept through validation, to enable volume manufacturing. This includes specification development, prototyping, and testing.
  • Lead projects or small teams within product engineering, with opportunities to grow into broader technical or people leadership responsibilities.
  • Leverage prior experience with textiles, soft goods, and sewing techniques to achieve the desired product goals.
  • Develop and maintain 3D product models and technical specifications to support domestic and international prototyping.
  • Identify opportunities for cost reduction, product improvement, and process optimization.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Product Development, Design, Item Setup, and Production teams to ensure engineering accuracy and alignment as products transition from development to production.
  • Manage technical documentation, item specifications, and product data within CAD and PLM systems.
  • Provide leadership input across Technical Services processes, with scope to take ownership of key areas such as engineering drawing specifications, bills of materials, routing set-up, cut layouts, packing guidance, rate evaluations, and standard operating procedures.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of material technologies, manufacturing processes, and consumer product trends relevant to Technical Services and Product Development and actively share insights that inform team strategy and product decisions.
  • Contribute to additional projects and initiatives as business needs evolve. 
Professional Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in textile engineering, soft goods, or a related field
  • Proven ability to lead teams or projects, with experience transitioning from individual contributor to first-level people leadership.
Required Skills:
  • Proficiency with CAD Software (Auto CAD, Turbo CAD, or similar)
  • Proficiency with 3D Modelling Software (Clo3D or similar)
  • Ability to create and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and BOMs
  • Strong competency in Microsoft Office Programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Highly detail-oriented, with the ability to manage accuracy while maintaining a big-picture perspective.
  • Flexibility to support special projects across Product Development Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing beyond daily responsibilities.
  • Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual) to describe technical details in a relatable way to a variety of audiences.
  • Excellent project management and organizational abilities
  • Strong understanding of materials used in soft goods: fabric, fiber, foam, etc.

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience using Product Lifecycle Management software
  • SAP experience
  • Familiarity with ASTM, ISO, or other relevant testing standards
  • Experience working with overseas manufacturing
  • Experience developing products for outdoor, pet, or home goods categories 
  • Experience with Packaging Engineering
  • Experience or prior work with electrical components (i.e. heating elements)

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

  • Paid Time Off – Enjoy paid vacation days, holidays, and a floating holiday!
  • Top-Tier Health Coverage – Comprehensive health insurance benefits include medical, dental, vision, accident, disability, dependent life, and other voluntary options.  Our Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are available with a company-funded stipend.
  • Peace of Mind – Employer-paid Life Insurance
  • Secure Your Future – A competitive 401(k) plan with employer match to help you plan ahead.
  • Family First – Paid Parental Leave so you can focus on what matters most.
  • Grow With Us – We support your journey with Education Assistance for college degrees and professional certifications.
  • Career Advancement – Opportunities for career advancement and internal mobility.
  • Never Stop Learning – Unlock access to thousands of free online courses through our Learning & Development platform.
  • Celebrate You – Our Employee Recognition Programs spotlight your achievements and contributions.
  • Support When You Need It – Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
  • Perks Galore – Enjoy discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.
 
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#LI-MJ1

Working at Central Garden & Pet

Perks for frontline workers

From Central Garden & Pet, via Breakroom

  • Safety is a top priority!

  • Paid Vacation

  • Paid Holidays

  • Paid Sick Time

  • Paid Breaks

  • Consistent shift and schedule

  • Comprehensive Health Insurance

  • 401k with Company Match

  • Referral Program with Cash Bonus

  • Education Assistance

  • Paid Parental Leave

About Central Garden & Pet, in their own words

From Central Garden & Pet

Our leading consumer and professional brands provide forward-thinking, high quality products to care for your lawn, garden, pets and community. We are committed to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger.

Company values

From Central Garden & Pet

The Central Way | We Do the Right Thing | We Strive to be the Best | We are Entrepreneurial | We Win Together | We Grow Every Day | We are Passionate

Diversity and inclusion statement

From Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet is committed to building a great place to work that embraces diversity as a key pillar of our culture. This is a journey, and we are committed to listening, learning and doing the work to move forward together.


What Central Garden & Pet employees say

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