What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Product Designer — Breed-Specific Hardgoods & Apparel position at Design Observer?
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.
The concept is straightforward but the execution is not. A dachshund owner buys from us because we engineered for a dachshund's body — long torso, short legs, back vulnerability. A French bulldog owner buys because we designed for a French bulldog's chest width, neck structure, and respiratory sensitivity. A pug owner buys because we understood what a pug actually needs. Not one-size-fits-most. Not trend-driven. Purpose-built.
This is a 5 to 10 year brand architecture project. We are not looking for someone to refresh a collection. We are looking for someone to build something from the ground up — to study breeds the way an engineer studies a problem, and to translate that knowledge into products that are genuinely better for the animal and genuinely 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
This role is not for everyone. If your process starts with trend research, Pinterest boards, and competitor references — this is not the right fit. We've been in this industry for 24 years and we know what copying looks like. We're looking for someone who 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.
The Ideal Candidate Has
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
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.
The concept is straightforward but the execution is not. A dachshund owner buys from us because we engineered for a dachshund's body — long torso, short legs, back vulnerability. A French bulldog owner buys because we designed for a French bulldog's chest width, neck structure, and respiratory sensitivity. A pug owner buys because we understood what a pug actually needs. Not one-size-fits-most. Not trend-driven. Purpose-built.
This is a 5 to 10 year brand architecture project. We are not looking for someone to refresh a collection. We are looking for someone to build something from the ground up — to study breeds the way an engineer studies a problem, and to translate that knowledge into products that are genuinely better for the animal and genuinely 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 — from initial research and sketches through tech packs, samples, fittings, and production handoff to our Vietnam factory
- Establish breed-specific fit standards, including working toward dedicated mannequins and size specifications for each target breed
- Define the creative direction and product identity for Gooby's next chapter — not just what products look like, but 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
This role is not for everyone. If your process starts with trend research, Pinterest boards, and competitor references — this is not the right fit. We've been in this industry for 24 years and we know what copying looks like. We're looking for someone who 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.
The Ideal Candidate Has
- Functional product design experience — hard goods, accessories, bags, protective gear, sportswear, or performance apparel. You think about construction, stress points, hardware, and failure modes — not just silhouette and colorway
- End-to-end product ownership — you've taken products from concept through overseas production, not handed off at the sketch stage
- Brand-building track record — you've defined where a product line or brand should go, not just executed someone else's vision. You can point to something you built, not just maintained
- Technical construction depth — you understand seam engineering, hardware selection, material behavior, and why those decisions matter for a product that needs to hold a dog safely
- Curiosity and humility about new categories — you ask questions before you design, you study the subject before you sketch, and you're honest about what you don't know yet
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 — if your primary expertise is print, wash, and embellishment, this is not the position
- A trend-execution role — we don't design collections around what's selling elsewhere
- A remote-optional role — we are in-office at our Los Angeles location (Boyle Heights), Monday through Friday. Our sample room, product, and team are all here and in-person collaboration is essential