Product Developer, Equipment

At The North Face, our equipment is built to go further, from everyday exploration to the most demanding adventures. As the Product Developer, Equipment, you’ll help bring our range of packs, travel bags, and duffels from creative concept to production-ready product.

You’ll be the technical connection between Design, Product Management, Materials, Sourcing, Quality, and our global vendor partners, turning design vision into products that deliver on performance, durability, quality, and value. From evaluating prototypes and solving construction challenges to managing product specifications and identifying smarter ways to build, you’ll play a hands-on role throughout the development process.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• 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, labeling, 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 clearly communicate construction details, callouts, artwork placement, and product specifications to vendors.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 4+ years of experience and professional achievements within the design and product creation field.

• 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 analyzing vendor costing and communicating cost drivers/trade-offs.
• Proficiency with FlexPLM (or 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; able to give precise, actionable sample feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple styles and hit development gates.

There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred.

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

Location requirement: This role operates on a hybrid schedule out of our HQ in Denver, CO three days a week.

Hiring Range:

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

About Us

With 40 years in the outdoor industry, The North Face® is the premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technologically advanced exploration apparel, footwear, equipment and accessories. We look for employees who help us stay on the cutting edge with their creativity and innovation.

If this sounds like you, take a look through our open opportunities. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Click here to see all VF job postings!

VF Diversity Vision Statement
VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success and growth of VF is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity throughout VF around the world.VF is an equal employment opportunity employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.

VF is committed to meeting the diverse needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity, and will do so by striving to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility wherever possible as well as by meeting the accessibility requirements under the ADA, AODA, and other applicable state, local or provincial regulations.

VF is committed to digital accessibility, and to conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA and complying with the ADA and AODA Standards for Accessible Design, and other applicable regulations.

If you need an accommodation or have any questions regarding this statement, please send your request to PeopleServices@vfc.com.