The Opportunity:
As the Senior Technical Product Developer, you will lead technical development from initial design concept through sales sample sign-off. Partnering closely with Design, you will translate aesthetic concepts into prototype samples while ensuring fit, construction, and quality meet or exceed expectations. You will own the tech packs and specifications for all styles, maintaining all associated records, files, and samples.
The ideal candidate has a natural tendency to deconstruct products to understand how they are made and will serve as the team's go-to technical problem solver. We are looking for someone who loves premium products, teamwork, and collaboration. You should possess proven time-management skills and expertise in interpreting consumer insights and market intelligence to maximize growth in accordance with melin's core product pillars: eco-friendly sourcing, best-in-class materials, unique details, innovative design, comfort, and performance.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Technical Leadership: Lead technical product development from design handoff to final production approval, serving as the primary technical resource for the cross-functional product team.
- Product Engineering: Create, review, and redline engineering drawings and blueprints for all headwear components. Maintain accurate revision history and ensure all documentation is current, accessible, and aligned with supplier submitted construction documents, flagging discrepancies and driving resolution.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as the main liaison between Design, overseas development teams (including Europe and Asia), and global suppliers to clearly communicate aesthetic, fit, technical, and construction requirements.
- Tech Pack & Spec Management: Build, maintain, and update accurate tech packs, spec sheets, and seasonal design comment sheets at every sample stage.
- Sample & Timeline Management: Own the execution of the product development calendar; build and manage seasonal tracking reports (via Asana) to ensure on-time delivery of all prototypes, materials, trims, and sales samples.
- Fit & Quality Assurance: Review all proto/DCS submits to ensure specifications meet expected quality standards; lead proto review meetings with Design to identify corrections, fit comments, and manufacturing recommendations.
- Costing & Margin Management: Ensure all products are developed within established target FOB costs to achieve company margin goals; identify and alleviate potential manufacturing, efficiency, and costing concerns early in the cycle.
- Global Sourcing: Lead the sourcing of innovative materials, trims, and components from Europe to Asia, ensuring superior product integrity and consistency across manufacturing bases.
- Communication: Conduct weekly status meetings with overseas development teams to align on timelines, compliance, and material testing.
- Travel: Travel internationally (China: 1-2 times per year) and domestically as required to visit factories, suppliers, and trade shows.
Experience & Qualifications
- Experience: 5-7+ years in product development focusing on headwear, footwear, or technical apparel/accessories. Technical engineering and/or pattern-making experience is a strong plus.
- Education: Bachelor's degree required.
- Technical Skills: Extremely proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) and product management tools (e.g., Asana).
- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of sustainable fabrics, trims, new materials, and innovative manufacturing techniques.
- Agility & Drive: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and pivot quickly to meet tight deadlines (including 48-hour turnarounds when necessary).
- Soft Skills: Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and a strong collaborator with exceptional organizational, communication, and decision-making capabilities.
- Brand Alignment: Must demonstrate a genuine passion for premium product design and brand building.
Location: This full-time position is in office four days a week in San Clemente, CA and subject to change based on business needs.
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $80,000-$110,000 plus opportunity for annual bonus; salary is based on the experience that you bring to the position.
Benefits and Perks:
- Complimentary meals provided 3x weekly
- Generous product gift program and all brand discounts
- Company bonus program
- 5 year and 10 year Milestone Anniversary travel gifts
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance in accordance with plan guidelines
- Company paid life insurance in accordance with plan guidelines
- 401k with employer match in accordance with plan guidelines
- 15 Days of PTO accrued annually, plus one additional day of PTO every year on your anniversary, and 3 Floating Holidays per year
- Paid beach and giveback days, bi-annual team building events and other in-person celebrations
- Work with talented and great people who share a love of melin
- Dog friendly office
