Product Developer, Equipment

The Product Developer, Equipment at The North Face helps bring the brand's range of packs, travel bags, and duffels from creative concept to production-ready product. The role acts as the technical connection between Design, Product Management, Materials, Sourcing, Quality, and global vendor partners, turning design vision into products that deliver on performance, durability, quality, and value. Working hands-on throughout the development process, the postholder evaluates prototypes, solves construction challenges, manages product specifications, and identifies smarter ways to build.

• Own the technical development of assigned products from prototype through pre-production and buy readiness.
• Translate design intent into production-ready solutions across construction, patterning, reinforcement, structure, hardware, zippers, trims, and other technical components.
• Create and maintain accurate product specifications in FlexPLM, including tech packs, BOMs, measurements, construction details, colorways, labelling, and packaging.
• Review prototypes and samples, providing clear vendor direction and resolving construction, workmanship, function, and durability issues.
• Manage development milestones and partner with Design and Product Management to address risks, changes, and trade-offs while protecting product intent.
• Review vendor costing and identify value-engineering opportunities that support margin goals without compromising quality or performance.
• Partner with Materials and Quality on material selection, testing, sustainability, compliance, and continuous product improvement.
• Use Adobe Illustrator and other technical tools to communicate construction details, callouts, artwork placement, and product specifications clearly to vendors.

• 4+ years of product development experience in equipment/hardgoods, preferably packs, bags, luggage, travel, or outdoor softgoods.
• Strong technical knowledge of bag construction and components.
• Experience analysing vendor costing and communicating cost drivers and trade-offs.
• Proficiency with FlexPLM (or an equivalent PLM) and strong data discipline.
• Working proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical diagrams and/or artwork placement.
• Strong communication skills with global vendor partners, including the ability to give precise, actionable sample feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple styles and hit development gates.

• Experience supporting global development across regions and factory types.
• Familiarity with testing standards and common failure modes in packs, travel bags, and duffels.
• Experience supporting sustainability initiatives such as preferred/recycled materials, packaging reduction, and durability/repair considerations.
• Outdoor/travel enthusiast and dedicated outdoor gear user.

• Hybrid schedule, working three days a week out of the company's headquarters in Denver, CO.

• Eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential; specific details of additional compensation eligibility will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

• A general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates, is available, and detailed information on benefits will be provided during the hiring process.