Product Developer & Designer

Iron Oak Apparel Co.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Healthcare stipend

Generous PTO

Job summary

Iron Oak Apparel Co. is seeking an experienced Product Developer & Designer to take apparel concepts through development and production. The role blends technical sourcing, fit, and manufacturing with creative surface pattern design tied to the Iron Oak brand.

The candidate will collaborate with factories and suppliers, lead fit sessions, and help shape product lines while maintaining brand identity and achieving quality standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of apparel product development experience preferred.
• Strong experience in product development and apparel sourcing with factory collaboration.
• Established factory, mill, supplier, or sourcing relationships preferred.
• Knowledge of garment construction, fit, sizing, fabrics, and trims.
• Experience taking products from concept through sampling and production.
• Strong surface pattern design skills with ability to communicate concepts.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Experience creating tech packs and communicating specifications to factories.

Responsibilities

• Manage new products from concept through sampling and production.
• Source fabrics, trims, and materials for new and existing categories.
• Work with domestic and international manufacturing partners.
• Identify suitable factories based on capabilities, pricing, and lead times.
• Manage samples, revisions, approvals, and development timelines.
• Improve Iron Oak’s manufacturing and sourcing network.
• Evaluate garment fit, sizing, construction, and overall quality.
• Lead or participate in fit sessions and provide revision recommendations.
• Communicate fit and construction revisions to factories.
• Develop and maintain consistent sizing and fit standards.

Skills

Product development

Sourcing

Fit & sizing

Manufacturing

Surface pattern design

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Iron Oak Apparel is looking for an experienced Product Developer & Designer to join our growing product team.

This is a hands-on role for someone who understands how to take an apparel product from an idea all the way through development and production. While this person needs to have a strong eye for surface pattern design and an understanding of the Iron Oak brand, their primary focus will be product development, sourcing, fit, sizing, and manufacturing.

We are looking for someone with strong apparel industry experience who can help us strengthen the technical side of our product development process while also contributing creatively to the future of the Iron Oak product line.

The right person should be able to sit down with our team to brainstorm a new product, help design what it should look and feel like, determine how it should fit and function, and then work directly with factories and suppliers to bring that product to life.

What You’ll Do

Product Development & Sourcing

• Manage new products from initial concept and design through sampling and production.
• Source factories, manufacturers, fabrics, trims, and materials for new and existing product categories.
• Work directly with domestic and international manufacturing partners throughout the development process.
• Identify the right factory for each product based on capabilities, quality, pricing, minimums, and lead times.
• Bring existing factory and supplier relationships to the table where possible while continuing to build new sourcing relationships.
• Manage samples, revisions, approvals, and development timelines.
• Help diversify and strengthen Iron Oak’s manufacturing and sourcing network.
• Evaluate garment fit, sizing, construction, and overall quality.
• Lead or participate in fit sessions and provide clear recommendations for adjustments.
• Communicate fit and construction revisions directly with factories.
• Help develop and maintain consistent sizing and fit standards across product categories.
• Review samples and identify potential issues before products move into production.
• Work alongside our existing team to continuously improve the quality, consistency, and performance of our products.

Surface Pattern Design & Creative Development

• Collaborate with our existing designer and leadership team on new products, collections, and categories.
• Create original surface pattern designs that feel authentic to the Iron Oak brand.
• Understand the Iron Oak customer and help translate our brand identity into new products.
• Bring ideas and inspiration for where the brand can go next while maintaining a cohesive point of view.
• Help develop everything from our core performance products to new apparel and lifestyle categories.
• Understand how design decisions impact manufacturing, cost, fit, and functionality.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of apparel product development experience preferred.
• Strong experience in product development and apparel sourcing, including working directly with factories and manufacturing partners.
• Established factory, mill, supplier, or sourcing relationships highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction, fit, sizing, grading, fabrics, and trims.
• Ability to evaluate garments and recommend improvements to fit, construction, and quality.
• Proven experience taking products from initial concept through sampling and production.
• Strong surface pattern design skills, with the ability to create and communicate original product concepts.
• Advanced proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Experience creating tech packs and communicating technical specifications to factories.
• Understanding of costing, MOQs, lead times, and production requirements.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience in men’s apparel, Western lifestyle, or premium lifestyle brands is a plus.

Why Join Iron Oak?

• Work in a collaborative, creative, and energetic environment.
• Hybrid schedule with opportunity to work in our New Braunfels office.
• Generous PTO package and monthly healthcare stipend.
• Growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding brand.