Outdoor Bags Designer – Bags & Travel

Bioworld Merchandising is seeking a talented and experienced Outdoor Bags Designer to join our product design team. This role will focus on the design and development of travel bags, backpacks, luggage, duffles, travel accessories and coolerswith a strong emphasis on functional design, innovative materials, and thoughtful construction.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience designing outdoor, performance, or technical bags and understands how a product moves from initial concept through development and production. This person should be equally comfortable developing a compelling product concept and discussing fabrics, trims, hardware, construction methods, and functionality with development and factory partners.

*MUST INCLUDE PORTFOLIO OF WORK ON RESUME SUBMISSION.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop travel products including backpacks, duffles, weekenders, softside luggage, wheeled bags, totes, packing solutions, travel accessories and coolers.
• Create innovative, functional product concepts appropriate for a range of consumers, brands, retailers, and price points.
• Bring a strong understanding of outdoor and performance bag design, including organization, durability, comfort, weight, weather resistance, and multifunctionality.
• Develop detailed technical drawings, specifications, CADs, and product callouts that clearly communicate design intent to development teams and factories.
• Understand and specify bag construction, including seams, reinforcements, binding, lining construction, pocket construction, webbing attachment, handle construction, and load-bearing areas.
• Select and recommend appropriate materials, trims, and hardware, including nylon, polyester, ripstop, ballistic fabrics, coated textiles, PU, mesh, webbing, zippers, buckles, compression systems, wheels, trolley systems, and related components.
• Partner with Product Development and factories to review prototypes and samples, troubleshoot construction issues, and improve product quality, functionality, and cost.
• Evaluate samples for proportion, functionality, construction, material performance, ergonomics, and overall design execution.
• Research travel, outdoor, lifestyle, fashion, and consumer trends and translate them into commercially relevant product opportunities.
• Develop seasonal color, material, pattern, and product stories that align with individual brands and retailers.
• Understand competitive products and identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Design across multiple price tiers while maintaining the appropriate balance of design, function, quality, and cost.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Merchandising, Sales, Product Development, Sourcing, Licensing, and overseas factory partners.
• Manage multiple projects and product categories simultaneously while meeting seasonal development deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Accessories Design, Fashion Design, or a related discipline preferred.
• Approximately 5+ years of experience in bag, travel, luggage, outdoor, or accessories design preferred.
• Outdoor, technical, or performance bag experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of bag construction and manufacturing techniques is required.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics, performance materials, trims, hardware, and components used in travel and outdoor products.
• Experience developing products directly with factories and reviewing prototypes and production samples.
• Ability to create clear technical drawings, specifications, and factory-ready design packages.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with 3D design/rendering tools is a plus.
• Strong understanding of color, materials, proportion, functionality, and product storytelling.
• Ability to design both commercial volume products and elevated, innovation-driven concepts.
• Strong communication, organization, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple brands, retailers, and development timelines.

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