Product Developer

Legacy Knitting; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Legacy Knitting is seeking a creative Product Developer to turn customer ideas into production-ready knit products. You will guide concepts through research, design, and technical specs, ensuring feasibility and production-ready packages.

Responsibilities include researching materials, developing mockups, creating tech packs, and driving sampling with factories. You’ll help advance product innovation and collaborate with leadership on line strategy.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of product development or textile design experience in knitwear.
• Degree in textile design, fashion design, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong knit construction knowledge and materials.
• Experience creating tech packs and managing sampling with factories.
• Proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop; knowledge of knit design software is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct product research to inform design decisions and trends.
• Develop concepts, mockups, and presentations aligning with customer vision.
• Create technical specifications, yarn/color specs, and packaging details.
• Manage sampling process with factories from first sample to approval.
• Drive product innovation by evaluating new yarns, constructions, and ideas.
• Hand off fully packaged designs to production and support issue resolution.

Skills

Product development

Textile design

Knitwear

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Textile Design or Fashion Design

Equivalent experience

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

About Legacy Knitting

Legacy Knitting is looking for a talented Product Developer to join our team!

At Legacy Knitting, we pride ourselves on being a leader in the branded apparel industry by producing and delivering the best custom apparel experience worldwide. Some of our clients are In N Out Burger, Aime Leon Dore, Municipal, and G/Fore to name a few.

In this role, you will be at the forefront of an emerging custom apparel brand in a fast-paced, team environment. We have a great team and an awesome culture that you'll absolutely love.

The Role

We’re looking for a creative, technically minded Product Developer team member to turn our customers’ ideas into production-ready knit products. You’ll take a concept, whether it’s a rough sketch, a logo, or just an idea, and guide it through research, design, technical specifications, artwork, and sampling until it’s ready for production. You’ll also help drive innovation, bringing new products, yarns, techniques, and ideas to our customers.

What You’ll Do

Product research

• Research materials, yarns, knit techniques, trends, and competitive products to inform design decisions
• Evaluate feasibility, cost, and production requirements for new concepts
• Stay current on industry trends, new technologies, and sustainable materials

Concept and design development

• Work directly with customers and our sales team to understand each customer’s vision, goals, and budget
• Create design concepts, mockups, and presentations that bring customer ideas to life
• Recommend constructions, materials, and finishes that balance look, quality, and cost

Technical specifications

• Develop complete tech packs, including measurements, construction details, yarn and color specs, knit patterns, trims, labeling, and packaging
• Ensure every spec is clear, accurate, and ready for the factory to execute
• Maintain a library of specs, standards, and approved materials
• Prepare and adapt artwork for knit production, including converting logos and designs into knit-ready files
• Manage color matching, color reductions, and Pantone references
• Ensure artwork meets technical limits of knitting machines and techniques (jacquard, intarsia, etc.)

Sampling

• Manage the sampling process with factories, from first samples through final approval
• Review samples for accuracy, fit, color, and quality, and give clear revision feedback
• Present samples to customers and manage approvals before handing off to production

Product innovation

• Develop new product ideas, collections, and capabilities that expand what Legacy Knitting offers
• Test new yarns, stitches, and construction methods
• Partner with leadership on product line strategy

Handoff to production

• Deliver complete, approved product packages to the Production Manager for a smooth transition into manufacturing
• Collaborate with production to resolve technical issues and continuously improve designs

What We’re Looking For

• (3–5+) years of experience in product development, textile design, or technical design, ideally in knitwear, apparel, or accessories
• Degree in textile design, fashion design, product development, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Strong understanding of knit construction, yarns, and materials
• Experience creating tech packs and managing the sampling process with factories
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop [plus knit design software, if applicable]
• Ability to translate customer ideas into practical, manufacturable designs
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, comfortable working directly with customers
• Organized and able to manage multiple projects at different stages

Nice to Have

• Experience with knit programming or design systems (e.g., Stoll, Shima Seiki)
• Background in custom, private-label, or promotional products
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and practices
• Experience with costing and product line planning