Apparel Product Development Designer

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. in Burbank, CA is seeking a Product Development Designer to translate creative concepts into production-ready apparel.

You will collaborate with the Creative Director, Product Development Manager, Technical Designer, and department leaders to ensure designs reflect the brand’s aesthetic, meet quality standards, and achieve target margins. From concept through pre-production, you will manage design assets, review samples, coordinate with sourcing and production

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Product Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• 3–5 years of experience in apparel design, product development, or a related role within fashion or consumer products.
• Experience translating concepts into production-ready apparel.
• Experience with cross-functional teams including design, development, sourcing, and production.
• Familiarity with product development workflows, sample reviews, materials, and approvals.

Responsibilities

• Translate creative direction, seasonal concepts, and design briefs into production-ready apparel products that align with the brand’s aesthetic, customer expectations, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director and Product Development Manager to execute design concepts while maintaining the integrity of the original creative vision.
• Ensure all design assets, product details, and development documentation are accurate, complete, and aligned with approved design direction.
• Review samples, prototypes, and product revisions to ensure design intent, construction details, and overall product execution meet expectations.
• Identify design or development challenges and recommend creative, technical, and cost-effective solutions.
• Partner with the Creative Director, Product Development Manager, Technical Designer, and Department SVP to align on design execution, product priorities, timelines, and approval milestones.
• Work closely with technical design, sourcing, merchandising, and production teams, as applicable, to ensure design concepts are feasible for manufacturing and meet product requirements.
• Communicate design updates, revisions, and approvals clearly to internal teams and external vendors to maintain consistency throughout the development lifecycle.
• Incorporate cross-functional feedback and leadership direction into product revisions while balancing creative intent, technical feasibility, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Proactively communicate development risks, delays, and outstanding decisions to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Support the handoff from concept development through the pre-production sample stage.
• Ensure artwork, color specifications, materials, trims, and design details are accurately executed and communicated to support product development and production.
• Review product samples and development submissions for accuracy, consistency, quality, and adherence to approved design standards.
• Collaborate with the Technical Designer and Product Development Manager to resolve discrepancies between design intent, technical specifications, and sample execution.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date design files, artwork packages, product documentation, and approval records.
• Partner with the Product Development Manager to complete sample reviews, revisions, and final approvals on time and keep development milestones on schedule.
• Ensure approved design information is clearly communicated and documented before products move into production.
• Maintain awareness of target costs and margin goals throughout the design and product development process.
• Partner with product development, sourcing, and the Creative Director to optimize costs without compromising design integrity, quality, or customer expectations.
• Evaluate alternative materials, trims, artwork techniques, and construction details when needed to support cost targets and production feasibility.
• Identify potential quality concerns or design inconsistencies early and collaborate with relevant teams to resolve them before production.
• Balance creative objectives with commercial requirements, ensuring products meet brand standards, customer needs, and business goals.
• Manage multiple styles and development projects simultaneously while prioritizing deadlines, approvals, and seasonal milestones.
• Maintain visibility into product development status, outstanding comments, sample revisions, and required approvals.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and follow-through to ensure accuracy across all stages of product development.
• Contribute to process improvements that enhance communication, workflow efficiency, product consistency, and on-time execution.
• Stay informed on relevant apparel trends, materials, finishes, graphic applications, and product development practices to support innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Creative judgment

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

PLM systems

Job description

Automatic Data Processing, Inc. in Burbank, CA is seeking a Product Development Designer to translate creative concepts into production-ready apparel.

You will collaborate with the Creative Director, Product Development Manager, Technical Designer, and department leaders to ensure designs reflect the brand’s aesthetic, meet quality standards, and achieve target margins. From concept through pre-production, you will manage design assets, review samples, coordinate with sourcing and production