Product Developer - Irvine - Birdwell

Description

The Opportunity 

Do you want to be a part of one of America's first beach brands? Founded in 1961 by female founder Carrie Birdwell Mann, Birdwell Beach Britches maintains its rich tradition of handmade, exceptionally crafted, and highly functional apparel. Our signature board shorts, made of nearly indestructible SurfNyl, provide an unprecedented level of comfort and durability. 

By bringing high-quality, functional products to the market, we empower consumers to buy better and reduce waste, improving our environmental footprint. Birdwell is committed to sustainability, innovative sourcing, and maximizing the use of materials throughout the product lifecycle. 

Your Role: Product Developer 

As Product Developer, you will play a critical role in translating design vision into premium, production-ready garments. You'll work cross-functionally with Design, Production, and Sourcing, managing the development process from concept through final sample. This role demands exceptional efficiency, the ability to thrive under pressure, and a strong problem-solving mindset. You'll ensure cost control and uncompromising quality while navigating challenges with resilience and creativity. 

Attention to fit, trim, fabric, and finishing is essential, as is maintaining clear communication with suppliers and vendors. You'll own calendar tracking, sample management, and cost negotiations—bringing a disciplined, efficient, and solutions-oriented approach to each product cycle. 

Key Responsibilities 

Product Development Process 

• Manage all aspects of development from initial handoff through final SMS and pre-production approvals, ensuring timelines are met even in high-pressure situations. 
• Ensure all styles meet Birdwell's premium standards for fit, fabric, trim, and construction, balancing speed and quality. 
• Maintain product integrity while solving for cost, feasibility, and production efficiency—proactively identifying and resolving obstacles. 
• Collaborate with Design to interpret seasonal concepts into tech-ready garments, adapting quickly to shifting priorities and challenges. 
• Ensure all products meet regulatory & brand compliance requirements. 

Technical & Quality Oversight 

• Own tech pack accuracy, spec creation, and fit comments; coordinate and attend fittings with a focus on rapid, effective problem resolution. 
• Manage sample tracking, review proto/SMS/TOP samples, and provide feedback on fit, quality, and make, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. 
• Ensure quality standards are clearly communicated to suppliers and reinforced through development, even under tight deadlines. 

Vendor Communication & Sourcing Support 

• Act as daily point of contact for development vendors and raw material suppliers, maintaining composure and clarity under stress. 
• Track fabric and trim sourcing; request submits and approvals based on calendar deadlines, prioritizing efficiency and accuracy. 
• Negotiate pricing and minimums with vendors to balance margin and quality expectations, using creative problem-solving to achieve optimal outcomes. 
• Build strong relationships with domestic manufacturing partners to support brand standards and resolve issues swiftly. 

Calendar & Budget Management 

• Own and maintain the development calendar; ensure timely approvals and handoffs to Production, even when facing competing demands. 
• Partner with the VP of Operations on margin planning, target pricing, and vendor capacity, using data-driven problem-solving to optimize results. 
• Maintain organized records of development status, sample flow, and cost changes for maximum efficiency. 

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of product development experience in premium men's apparel, with a focus on woven shorts, woven pants, woven tops, sweaters, knits, and UV shirts. 
• Proven expertise in developing high-quality, heritage men's apparel. 
• Experience with domestic apparel development, including sourcing and production with U.S.-based vendors and factories required. Experience working in the greater-Los Angeles area strongly preferred. 
• Strong technical knowledge of garment construction, fit, and grading for the above categories. 
• Familiarity with trims, finishing techniques, and materials used in high-quality, long-lasting men's apparel. 
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Excel, and PLM systems (or highly organized in manual tracking if no PLM is used). 
• Excellent supplier communication and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to resolve issues under pressure. 
• Strong sense of urgency, accountability, and time management, with demonstrated stress resistance. 
• Passion for product excellence, heritage craftsmanship, and creative problem-solving. 
• Must be available to travel to factories and vendors, both domestic and global. Must also be available to work on-site in San Clemente, CA. The day-to-day needs of the business will dictate the work location.  

Why Birdwell 

At Birdwell, quality isn't a tagline—it's our tradition. As Product Developer, you'll help turn vision into reality, ensuring that every stitch, seam, and silhouette lives up to our promise of performance and longevity. Join us in creating products that are truly built for life, where your efficiency, resilience, and problem-solving skills will make a lasting impact.