Lead Product Designer - Breed-Specific Hardgoods & Apparel

Lead Product Designer – Breed‑Specific Hardgoods & Apparel Company: Gooby Location: Los Angeles, CA Posted: Jun3 The Role We are hiring a Lead Product Designer to drive a long‑term brand transformation: a deliberate pivot from general small‑dog products toward breed‑specific design. It is a 5‑to‑10‑year brand architecture project. We are looking for someone to build a brand from the ground up—an engineer of breed that translates anatomical knowledge into products that are genuinely better for the animal and differentiated in the market. This role reports directly to the CEO and sits at the center of every product decision we make. What You’ll Do Lead ideation and concept development for breed‑specific harness and apparel products, starting from animal anatomy and known breed health needs. Own the full product development lifecycle—research, sketches, tech packs, samples, fittings, and production handoff to our Vietnam factory. Establish breed‑specific fit standards, including dedicated mannequins and size specifications for each target breed. Define the creative direction and product identity for Gooby’s next chapter—what products look like, why they exist, and what problem they solve. Collaborate with our in‑house sample room to prototype, test, and iterate quickly. Work with our dog model network to conduct real‑world fit testing and observe behavioral feedback. Partner cross‑functionally with operations, sales, and the CEO on product strategy, costing, and development timelines. Contribute to building a cohesive brand language that works across harnesses, apparel, packaging, and retail presentation. What We’re Looking For We’re not looking for a trend‑driven designer who loves Pinterest boards. Our ideal candidate leads with a concept, understands why a product should exist before deciding what it looks like, and has the technical foundation to back up their creative instincts. A 24‑year‑old industry veteran is not required; a technical and concept‑first designer is. The Ideal Candidate Has Functional product design experience—hard goods, accessories, bags, protective gear, sportswear, or performance apparel, with an emphasis on construction, stress points, hardware, and failures. End‑to‑end product ownership—taken concepts through overseas production, not just handed off at the sketch stage. Brand‑building track record—defined where a product line or brand should go, not just executed someone else’s vision. Technical construction depth—understanding seam engineering, hardware selection, material behavior, and safety for a product that must hold a dog securely. Curiosity and humility about new categories—ask questions before designing, study the subject before sketching, and admit what you don’t know yet. Bonus — Not Required Experience with safety‑rated products (OSHA, CE, ASTM) or load‑bearing hardware. Accessory or bag design background. Pet industry or animal product experience. Pattern‑making knowledge. What This Role Is Not A graphic or surface design role—no print, wash, or embellishment focus. A trend‑execution role—design collections around what sells elsewhere. A remote‑optional role—we operate in‑office at our Los Angeles location (Boyle Heights), Monday through Friday, with in‑person collaboration essential. Portfolio Required Applicants must include a link to a portfolio. No portfolio will be reviewed. Apply Now Gooby Gooby (goobypet.com) is a small‑dog specialty brand with over 24 years in the pet industry. We design, develop, and manufacture harnesses and apparel for dogs under 30 lbs, built on functional innovation, including patented escape‑free and choke‑free harness systems. We sell through Petco, PetSmart, Chewy, Amazon, and 700+ boutiques across North America, and operate our own factory in Vietnam with an in‑house sample room in Los Angeles. #J-18808-Ljbffr