Associate Designer
Location: San Diego, California
Country: United States
Category: Creative & Production
Workplace Location: Onsite
Employment Type: Contract
Posted Date: August 27, 2026
Job ID: 651367
Job Description
Associate Designer
Location - NSC, CA, Hybrid, 3 days onsite and 2 days WFH
Pay 37-42/hr
Interviews- 2 Rounds Virtual
Creates and supports the development of product designs based on concepts established by product development and merchandising teams. Works under the direction of a Senior Manager/Designer with support from a Senior Product Development Director. Takes the lead on select projects as assigned by the Design Manager or Senior Designer.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities- Monitors, researches, and reports on industry trends and applies insights to new and existing product designs. Develops compelling Trend and Innovation stories to help guide and inspire teams. (10%)
- Leads design resets as directed by the Design Manager or Senior Designer, managing key timeline objectives including Trend and Innovation, Mid Design, Merch Design, and Tech Pack handoff. (10%)
- Rapidly develops concepts and ideas through hand sketching and digital sketching for new and existing products. (30%)
- Develops, updates, and maintains technical specifications and related product information, including materials, product illustrations, design layouts, specification drawings, and bills of materials. (20%)
- Prepares materials for meetings, including presentations, product line sheets, technical specifications, samples, print and fabric boards, sketches, and research boards. Coordinates meetings and documents meeting notes. (10%)
- Approves and organizes fabric and color submissions. (20%)
- Looks ahead to future product opportunities with a focus on strengthening brand recognition.
- Supports the development of strategies for long-term company and brand growth.
- Demonstrates strong professional and collaborative skills and helps share knowledge and program skills with fellow designers.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Experience with computer tracking and product lifecycle management systems such as Smartsheet and PLM.
- Ability to rapidly iterate on ideas through hand sketching, digital sketching, and rapid prototyping.
- Strong eye for color, trends, detail, and product construction.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and effectively prioritize work based on business objectives.
- Bonus: Experience with 3D design software and the ability to develop product concepts using 3D tools.
- Bachelor's degree in Product Design or a related discipline, with at least 1 year of experience in product design, apparel design, print, or pattern design, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
- 3+ years of experience in product design and development.
EEO Statement
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The Planet Group and our companies are equal opportunity employers. It is our practice not to discriminate against any employee or applicant based on any criteria, condition or basis protected by laws or regulations in the locations where we do business. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion enable us to better meet our mission and values while serving our clients across the globe. If you have a disability or handicap and would like us to accommodate you in any reasonable way, please inform your recruiter, or contact us, so that we can discuss the appropriate alternatives available.
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About The Planet Group
The Planet Group is a global professional services firm delivering strategic staffing and advisory solutions. We operate at the intersection of talent and transformation – connecting the right people with the right opportunities in the areas of technology, engineering, accounting & finance, digital marketing, and manufacturing.
As one of the largest staffing companies in the US, we operate with a global reach and a performance-first mindset. We partner with clients to move fast, stay agile, and drive measurable results – building high-impact teams that fuel transformation and growth.