Product Designer

Mechanix Wear is seeking a Product Designer in Valencia, CA to help shape innovative, high-performance apparel and PPE products. This role owns the hands-on design journey from concept to prototyping, fit sessions, and production handoff, partnering with internal teams and external partners to bring ideas to approved samples.

You will balance protective functionality, comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal while translating briefs, research, and end-user insights into wearable, functional product designs. The work spans technical development, material selection, collaboration with compliance and quality, and ongoing iteration toward manufacturable results.

What You’ll Do

• Create original design concepts, sketches, and technical drawings for new products and seasonal or program updates
• Translate design briefs, trend research, and consumer or end-user insights into functional wearable product designs
• Develop tech packs, including construction details, measurements, materials, trims, and labeling specifications
• Explore and propose new silhouettes, features, and design details that differentiate products in the market
• Partner with pattern makers and sample rooms (domestic or overseas) to develop and refine prototypes
• Lead or participate in fit sessions, incorporating wearer feedback and ergonomic considerations into design revisions
• Iterate on prototypes based on performance testing, comfort feedback, and manufacturability constraints
• Ensure designs translate accurately from sketch to sample to final production sample
• Research and select fabrics, trims, hardware, and protective components aligned to performance and safety requirements
• Stay current on textile technologies, coatings, and protective materials relevant to PPE and technical apparel
• Collaborate with Compliance and Quality teams to support safety standards and certifications (for example, ANSI/ISEA, ASTM, EN, NFPA as applicable to the product category)
• Balance design vision with cost targets, sourcing feasibility, and production timelines
• Work closely with Product Line Managers or Merchandising to align designs with line plans, pricing architecture, and go-to-market strategy
• Partner with Sourcing and overseas manufacturing partners to help preserve design intent through production
• Collaborate with Marketing on product storytelling, launch materials, and visual assets
• Present design concepts and prototypes to internal stakeholders and leadership for review and approval
• Maintain organized, accurate design files, tech packs, and revision histories using PLM or similar systems
• Track design development timelines and communicate proactively on progress, risks, or delays
• Ensure designs comply with brand guidelines and design standards across the product portfolio

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Apparel Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, or a related field
• 3 to 5+ years of product design experience, with experience in technical apparel, PPE, workwear, or safety products preferred
• Strong sketching and technical drawing skills (hand or digital)
• Proficiency with design software: Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (CLO 3D or similar 3D design tools are a plus)
• Understanding of garment construction, patternmaking principles, and materials
• Experience creating detailed tech packs and specification documents
• Ability to manage multiple design projects at once under deadline pressure
• Familiarity with relevant PPE or safety standards and certification requirements, such as ANSI/ISEA, ASTM, EN, and NFPA
• Experience working directly with overseas manufacturing or sample room partners
• Background in ergonomics, human factors, or performance or technical apparel design
• Experience with PLM systems (for example, Centric or PTC FlexPLM) for design and development workflows
• Interest or experience in sustainable materials and design practices

Tools and Technologies

• Adobe Illustrator
• Photoshop
• CLO 3D
• PLM systems such as Centric and PTC FlexPLM

Location and Compensation

• Location: Valencia, CA (onsite)
• Salary: USD 42 to 46 per hour
• Minimum experience: 3 years
• Travel: Occasionally

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Office environment is clean, orderly, properly lit, and ventilated; noise levels are low to moderate
• Field conditions vary
• Regular use of verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to hear and speak clearly
• Prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer, plus frequent use of hands to grasp and manipulate objects
• May require periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, or climbing as needed
• Occasionally lift, carry, or move items up to 15 pounds
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None