Jobs/By role/Product Developer
Product Developer jobs
A Product Developer turns a designer's concept into a manufacturable garment or accessory, working out fabrics, fits, constructions and costings before a style goes into production. Fashion houses, from leather goods specialists to lingerie and menswear labels, rely on this role to bridge design and production teams. This page lists current openings, from junior roles to head of department, at labels such as Acne Studios and marlies|dekkers.
Also hired as: product development manager · apparel product developer
Open Product Developer roles
7 live
New(Fashion) Junior Product Developer
Product Developer - Leather goods & accessories
(Junior) Product Developer
Junior Product Developer
Lead - Accessories Developer (Technical) Bags
Head of Product Development
Product Manager Internship
Salary guide
What does a Product Developer earn?
Ranges come from our Product Developer salary guide, maintained per level for the European market. Individual listings state their own range when the company shares one.
Full Product Developer salary guide →The role, in practice
Working as a Product Developer
The day to day
The work centres on turning a design brief into something a factory can actually make: sourcing fabrics and trims, briefing suppliers, running sample rounds and checking costs against target. Product Developers sit between design and production, translating creative ideas into technical specifications and fit approvals. The exact mix shifts by category, from leather goods and bags to lingerie and knitwear, and the role is sometimes listed as apparel product developer or product development manager depending on seniority.
What hiring managers look for
Employers look for hands on development experience: fit sessions, supplier negotiations, costing, technical packs. Knowledge of PLM systems and construction or pattern basics helps, and a second language is useful for roles involving overseas suppliers. Junior positions, such as those at Olivia & Kate or marlies|dekkers, focus on supporting senior developers while learning the sampling process.
Career progression
Most people start as an assistant or junior developer, move into a standalone role, then specialise in a category such as accessories or leather goods. Some go on to lead a team or a full department, similar to the Head of Product Development role at Suitsupply.
Common questions
Becoming a Product Developer
What qualifications do you need to become a Product Developer?
Most employers look for a degree or diploma in fashion, textiles or product development, though relevant hands on experience can substitute for formal study. Practical exposure to sampling, sourcing and technical specifications matters more than the specific qualification. Many start as an assistant or junior developer to build this experience before moving into a full development role.
How is a Product Developer different from a Fashion Designer?
A Fashion Designer focuses on the creative concept: shape, print, colour and overall direction of a collection. A Product Developer takes that concept and works out how it can be made, choosing fabrics, managing suppliers and checking fit and cost. The two roles work closely together but sit on different sides of the process, one creative and one technical.
Can you move into product development from another role?
Yes, it's common to move into product development from technical design, buying or quality control, since all three involve close contact with suppliers and product detail. Experience with sampling, costing or technical specs from any of these areas transfers well. Some labels, including smaller ones like Kjelvik, also take on assistants without direct experience and train them into the role.
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