Ralph Lauren Senior Design Associate, RLX

Ralph Lauren; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren in New York is seeking a Senior Design Associate to lead the end-to-end design and development of designated Men’s RLX categories, translating the RLX vision into refined, performance-driven product while balancing brand codes with quality, calendar, and cost.

The role partners with the Head of Product Design and cross-functional teams to deliver commercially relevant product on accelerated timelines, while providing day-to-day guidance to junior designers and contributing to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience in men's performance, activewear, or technical apparel categories.
• Portfolio showing concept development and translation to commercial product.
• Strong understanding of apparel product creation from research to production.

Responsibilities

• Translate seasonal direction into product concepts, color stories and narratives.
• Own designated categories from concept to production handoff with BOM inputs.
• Design for mobility, fit, comfort while preserving RLX aesthetic.
• Collaborate with Merchandising to align consumer needs with design intent.
• Refine fabrics, finishes and technologies with cross-functional partners.
• Lead prototypes reviews and coordinate with Technical Design on fittings.
• Research trends and technologies to identify RLX opportunities.
• Approve color, prints and materials to ensure consistency.
• Maintain design data in PLM with updates and comments.
• Present seasonal concepts and assortments for reviews.
• Support launches and sponsorship initiatives within brand standards.

Skills

Fashion design

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

PLM

Microsoft Office

3D design (CLO/Browzwear)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

CLO/Browzwear

PLM

Job description

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

The Senior Design Associate is responsible for the end-to-end design and development of designated Men's RLX apparel categories, from seasonal concept and consumer insight through line adoption and production handoff. Working closely with the Head of Product Design, this role translates the RLX vision into refined, innovative, functional, and commercially relevant product. The designer balances Ralph Lauren brand codes with performance needs, quality, sustainability, calendar, and cost while maintaining clear cross-functional communication and contributing to special projects and team development.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Translate seasonal creative direction and line strategy into cohesive product concepts, color and material stories, graphics, trims, and product narratives that express the Men's RLX point of view.
• Own designated product categories from initial concept through production handoff, delivering sketches, CADs, colorways, construction details, BOM inputs, and presentation materials accurately and on calendar.
• Design for the intended end use, considering mobility, fit, layering, comfort, climate management, durability, and other relevant performance requirements without compromising the refined RLX aesthetic.
• Partner with Merchandising and Product Management to translate consumer needs, line architecture, price-value targets, and commercial opportunities into compelling product while protecting design intent.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Materials, Sourcing, and Production to identify and refine fabrics, finishes, trims, and technologies that deliver the desired aesthetic, performance, quality, sustainability, and cost.
• Lead design reviews of prototypes and samples, and partner with Technical Design through fittings to resolve fit, proportion, construction, functionality, and workmanship.
• Research sport, fashion, archives, consumer behavior, competitive products, materials, and emerging technologies to identify relevant design and innovation opportunities for RLX.
• Review and approve color, print, graphic, trim, and material executions, including lab dips, strike-offs, and development samples, to maintain consistency and product integrity.
• Maintain complete and accurate design information in PLM, including design images, colorways, construction details, BOM inputs, comments, and seasonal updates.
• Build and present seasonal concepts and product assortments for design reviews, leadership presentations, and global adoption meetings, communicating clear design rationale and product benefits.
• Support athlete and sponsorship initiatives, special projects, and key launches while maintaining Men's RLX brand standards and meeting accelerated timelines when required.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to junior designers and cross-functional partners, share best practices, and help improve the team's design quality and ways of working.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Apparel design experience, with demonstrated work in men's performance, activewear, golf, tennis, outdoor, or other technical apparel categories.
• Portfolio demonstrating strong concept development, refined taste, technical design capability, and successful translation of ideas into commercial product.
• Strong understanding of the complete apparel product creation process, from research and line planning through development, fittings, commercialization, and production handoff.
• Advanced knowledge of garment construction, fit, proportion, textiles, trims, knits, wovens, and performance materials and finishes.
• Ability to design against specific performance needs, including mobility, stretch and recovery, breathability, thermoregulation, weather protection, comfort, and durability as relevant to the product.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with strong digital sketching, CAD, color, graphic, and presentation skills; working knowledge of PLM and Microsoft Office required. 3D design experience, including CLO or Browzwear, is a plus.
• Strong understanding of the Men's RLX consumer and the ability to apply Ralph Lauren brand codes while advancing a modern performance point of view.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple categories, priorities, and deadlines with accuracy, attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving.
• Clear written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the confidence to present ideas, respond constructively to feedback, and collaborate across functions and levels.
• Familiarity with AI-supported design tools and openness to integrating emerging technologies into the creative process.