Senior Product Developer / Head of Development Softgoods

Company Description

blackcrows is an independent ski brand born in Chamonix, and embraced by mountain communities around the world. We design skis, outerwear and accessories with a relentless focus on performance, identity and style—objects shaped by a desire to merge beauty and efficiency.

Rooted in ski culture and driven by a spirit of freedom and adventure, blackcrows celebrates the mountains as a creative space. With offices in Chamonix, Paris and Los Angeles, a global distribution and own physical retail stores in key locations, the brand continues to expand its vision of contemporary skiing.

Job overview

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Senior Product Developer with a strong background in technical outerwear to lead the development process from concept through commercialization.

This role is ideal for someone who combines deep knowledge of advanced materials and construction techniques with sharp organizational and communication skills.

The Senior Product Developer will be a key driver in ensuring seasonal execution, product integrity, and brand alignment—especially across outerwear and performance softgoods.

You’ll collaborate cross-functionally as well as maintain close relationships with offshore vendors and factory partners to execute highly technical and innovative product. A successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment and bring strong problem-solving capabilities, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the outerwear product lifecycle.

Key responsabilities

• Own and manage the complete development process for technical outerwear and softgoods categories, ensuring execution from brief through final commercialization.
• Translate seasonal creative concepts into technically feasible, commercially viable product—ensuring all details support function, performance, and cost goals.
• Partner closely with Design and Tech Design to advise on construction methods, seam types, insulation applications, and material behavior, particularly for performance and weather-protective products.
• Act as a primary point of contact with global vendors and factories, ensuring development accuracy, troubleshooting proactively, and maintaining timelines.
• Build and maintain a detailed seasonal line plan including style specs, BOMs, material and trim specs, target cost, HTS codes, and development status.
• Manage the creation, updates, and accuracy of tech packs with a sharp focus on construction detail and functional performance.
• Drive the fitting and sample review process—measure all samples, organize fit sessions, assess garment construction, and ensure iterative improvements are implemented across sample rounds.
• Review, comment on, and track lab dips and color approvals in coordination with vendors and design to ensure accurate execution across materials and trims.
• Ensure that product development meets quality, durability, and performance standards aligned with technical outerwear expectations.
• Recommend alternative constructions or materials to solve performance or cost-related challenges.
• Support raw material R&D efforts in partnership with the team to identify new innovations relevant to technical product.
• Oversee the tracking of samples, development timelines, and prototype shipments to ensure seamless workflow.
• Oversee organization and maintenance of the design and development library, including samples, materials, trims, and color swatches.
• Act as a mentor to junior team members and help foster stronger cross-functional collaboration

This list is not exhaustive and may be added to and/or revised during your assignment, depending on our discussions and your interests.

Qualifications and experience

• 7–10 years of experience in apparel product development, with a mandatory focus on technical outerwear, performance apparel, or weatherproof gear
• In-depth knowledge of garment engineering, including seam sealing, bonding, insulation, lamination, DWR finishes, and other advanced construction methods.
• Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Product Development, or related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• Hands-on experience managing offshore vendor communication and development timelines.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Excel
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple complex styles from concept to final development.
• Strong understanding of cost engineering and working within tight margin goals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Key characteristics:

• Technical Expertise: Brings deep, hands-on understanding of materials and construction techniques specific to outerwear and performance gear.
• Solution-Oriented: Finds creative, functional, and cost-effective development solutions under pressure.
• Process-Driven: Maintains organized workflows, deadlines, and documentation across a complex seasonal calendar.
• Collaborative: Partners effectively with Design, Technical Design, and factory teams to move product forward.
• Detail-Oriented: Catches the small things that matter in high-performance apparel.
• Adaptable: Thrives in an evolving environment, comfortable with shifting priorities and fast-moving timelines.
• Leadership-Minded: Capable of guiding projects independently and mentoring junior talent.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift over 25 lbs for incoming/outgoing samples and parcels
• Regular handling and measuring of garments
• Ability to work at a desk and computer for extended periods

Contract & conditions:

Start date: as soon as possible

Contract: permanent, full-time

Location: Washington Boulevard, Culver City

Health, dental, vision insurance

STD/LTD Insurance

Life Insurance

401K

What we offer

• The rare opportunity to participate in the development of a fast-growing international brand
• The chance to join a passionate, committed and multicultural team the chance to work with iconic outdoor products
• Strong core values that make up our DNA as a company: fairness and caring, team spirit, positive attitude, open-mindedness, ski/outdoor culture

blackcrows is committed to providing a working environment that promotes diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, gender, age, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, citizenship, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other legally protected status.