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Soft Goods Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Flexjet

Soft Goods Technician (CLE)

Cleveland, OH · On-site

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 ...

Flexjet

Soft Goods Technician (CLE)

Cleveland, OH · On-site

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 ...

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Soft Goods Designer information

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$75.5K

$128.3K

$188K

How much do soft goods designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for soft goods designer in the United States is $128,257.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a soft goods designer?

A soft goods designer creates textile-based products such as clothing, accessories, or soft furnishings, focusing on fabric selection, pattern making, and construction. They often use design software like Adobe Illustrator and collaborate with manufacturers to develop functional and aesthetic items.

How much do clothing designers make?

Clothing designers, including soft goods designers, typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000, though this can vary based on experience, location, and employer. Entry-level designers may earn less, while experienced professionals or those working for major brands can earn significantly more. Skills in CAD software and a strong portfolio can influence earning potential.

What types of products does a Soft Goods Designer typically work on, and who do they collaborate with?

Soft Goods Designers typically work on products such as backpacks, luggage, footwear, apparel, wearable technology accessories, and furniture upholstery—essentially, any item made with flexible materials like fabrics or leathers. In this role, you will frequently collaborate with industrial designers, engineers, product managers, and manufacturers to ensure your designs meet both user needs and production requirements. Expect to work in a fast-paced environment where prototypes are built, tested, and iterated quickly. Daily tasks often include sketching concepts, selecting materials, creating patterns, and refining prototypes based on feedback from the team and end users. This collaborative process helps ensure the final products are both functional and appealing, leading to high-quality designs that stand out in the market.

What is the highest paid designer job?

Among design roles, senior fashion or apparel designers, including those specializing in soft goods, can earn the highest salaries, especially with extensive experience, strong portfolios, and working for major brands or luxury companies. Executive positions such as Creative Director or Design Director typically have higher compensation, often exceeding six figures, and require leadership skills and industry expertise.

What is a Soft Goods Designer job?

A Soft Goods Designer is a professional who specializes in designing textile-based products such as bags, accessories, upholstery, and wearable items. They work with fabrics, patterns, and materials to create functional and aesthetically appealing products. Their role often involves sketching designs, selecting appropriate materials, and collaborating with manufacturers to ensure production quality. Many Soft Goods Designers work in industries like fashion, furniture, outdoor gear, or medical textiles. Strong knowledge of textiles, sewing techniques, and product development is essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Soft Goods Designer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Soft Goods Designer, you need a solid background in textile design, pattern making, sewing, and an understanding of material properties, often supported by a degree in industrial, fashion, or product design. Familiarity with CAD software, 2D/3D modeling tools, and prototyping equipment is typically required, as is knowledge of fabrication processes and relevant industry certifications. Strong communication, creative problem-solving, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and translating concepts into functional products. These skills ensure successful development of innovative, user-friendly soft goods that meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Will AI replace industrial designer?

AI can assist soft goods designers by automating repetitive tasks and providing data-driven insights, but it is unlikely to fully replace the creative and problem-solving aspects of the role. Industrial and soft goods designers rely on human creativity, craftsmanship, and understanding of user needs, which are difficult for AI to replicate entirely. Professionals in this field should focus on developing skills in design software, prototyping, and user research to stay competitive.
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Soft Goods Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Soft Goods Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,257 per year, or $61.7 per hour.
Product Development Manager, Soft Goods

Product Development Manager, Soft Goods

The Lumistella Company

Atlanta, GA

$110K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Join us in Telling the Stories of Santa's North Pole!

The Lumistella Company is a global intellectual property company dedicated to bringing Santa's North Pole to life for children around the world through consumer products, original entertainment and brand experiences. We are home to the most iconic and beloved Christmas brands of this generation including The Elf on the Shelf, Elf Pets, and Elf Mates.
The Product Development Manager, Soft Goods will lead the executional development of all plush and textile-based products across Lumistella's core and inbound licensed lines. From fashion-forward accessories to character-driven plush, this role ensures that each item meets the brand's high creative standards while achieving cost, safety, and production feasibility targets.
This role works closely with Design and Sourcing to deliver accurate, vendor-ready documentation and to ensure storytelling, texture, and tactile delight are preserved through sampling and spec refinement. This role bridges creative intent and technical execution to deliver safe, engaging, and fully manufacturable products.
Projects include, but are not limited to elf dolls, costumes & clothing for elves (and potentially other characters), plush accessories, and plush characters of all shapes, sizes, and playable features. Each season can have upwards of 25 unique and innovative items for new development, in addition to products sold globally year after year requiring updates from previous seasons.
The Product Development Manager, Soft Goods will:
  • Lead development of plush characters, fashion accessories, and soft goods SKUs from design handoff through pre-production sample approval.
  • Provide fabric and plush construction guidance for hybrid products, such as dolls with roto-molded heads and plush/felt bodies.
  • Owns the technical translation of design intent into manufacturable, child-safe, and cost-conscious plush and fashion items-serving as the primary steward of tactile and structural quality.
  • Translate designs into detailed specifications, including materials, trims, die-cut patterns, construction methods, and finishing techniques.
  • Partner closely with factories on problem-solving as it relates to die cuts, patterns, seam allowances, and cutting processes to ensure finished good construction is flawless.
  • Acts as the primary decision-maker for plush construction feasibility.
  • Partner with the Product Engineer as needed to finalize product specifications, ensuring dimensional accuracy and construction feasibility.
  • Maintain accurate version control of specifications throughout sampling cycles.
  • Provide samples to the Packaging Structural Designer to validate product/packaging fit; packaging spec ownership is the responsibility of the Packaging Designer.
  • Provide samples to the Packaging Graphics team as needed for photography; ensure final art files are provided to the factory on time during Pre-Production phase.
  • Oversee sampling rounds, evaluate construction quality, softness, scale, and appearance, and manage adjustments in coordination with vendors and internal stakeholders.
  • Provide clear, actionable feedback to factories on sample revisions, materials, and construction adjustments.
  • Ensure products meet market expectations for the brands' emotional and tactile experiences as premium goods meant to be cherished by consumers year after year.
  • Partner with Sourcing, Costing, and factories to align on material sourcing, cost targets, BOM accuracy, and feasibility resolution.
  • Work with Compliance & QC to ensure plush and textile products meet all required safety and regulatory standards.
  • Validate all products meet performance and functional requirements as defined in conjunction with the Director of Product Development.
  • Work closely with Program Management to maintain schedule adherence and escalate risks for projects that are in danger, offering solutions to mitigate the risks and minimize impact to ship dates.
If you want to be one of us...
The idealcandidatewill bring:
  • 5+ years in plush, apparel, or soft goods engineering / product development
  • Experience managing development cycles across seasonal and licensed product lines
  • Experience working with licensed IP partners on product submissions and approvals
  • Strong understanding of cut-and-sew, 3D character plush, and cost optimization
    • Pattern-making knowledge, cut and sew construction and 3D volume development
    • Understanding of textile performance characteristics
    • Knowledge of trims, embellishments, embroidery techniques
    • Strong knowledge of cost estimating and designing to specified cost restraints for soft goods
  • Digital tool experience preferred (PLM, Adobe Illustrator, CAD familiarity)
  • Experience working directly with overseas vendors and factories (China, Vietnam, or similar manufacturing hubs)
  • Familiarity with CPSIA and plush safety standards (domestic & international)
  • Protects company assets through the proper management of asset files and adherence to company policy with regard to information security and management.
Education requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Fashion Technology, Industrial Design, or a related field
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements. A full and complete copy of the Job Description is available upon request.

Want to Know More?
To learn more about our company, check out our web site at:www.Lumistella.com.
The Lumistella Companyis an equal employment opportunity employer.
Employment Type: Full-Time

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