Assistant Footwear Designer / Developer

Role: Assistant Footwear Designer / Developer

Company: Hari Mari

Reports To: Director of Design & Development

Location: Dallas

Role Type: Full-Time

Work Environment: In office, M, T, Th, F

To Apply: Submit your resume and portfolio to Erin Lane at erin@harimari.com

About Us

Hari Mari is a leading retailer of high-quality footwear, offering a wide range of styles for men and women. We pride ourselves on delivering comfort, craftsmanship, and purpose through every step.

Role Overview

This role is ideal for someone early in their career who has hands-on exposure to design and product development and is eager to grow within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

This individual will report to and partner closely with the Director of Design & Development, supporting key initiatives across the product lifecycle while helping to drive organization, communication, and execution across multiple projects.

The right candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and proactive, with a strong eye for design and a solid understanding of materials, construction, and factory partnership. You should be comfortable taking ownership of your work and working cross-functionally with internal and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design process through research, sketching, color updates, and seasonal concept development

• Assist in creating and updating tech packs with clear, detailed specifications

• Help manage communication with factories and development partners to ensure accuracy and timeliness

• Track sample development across key milestones, ensuring deadlines are met

• Organize samples and notes for photo shoots and salesman sample (SMS) kits

• Review samples for accuracy and provide feedback on design intent, color, and construction

• Assist in material and color approvals, maintaining consistency with brand standards

• Organize and maintain development tools, trackers, and documentation

• Support cross-functional communication with merchandising, marketing, and production teams

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in design, with exposure to product development preferred.

• Experience in footwear design and/or development is a strong plus

• Collaborative and proactive mindset with a willingness to take ownership and follow through

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at once

• Detail-oriented with a strong eye for design, color, and materials

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for creating sketches, tech packs, and color updates

• Working knowledge of tech pack creation, including specifications, materials, and construction details

• Understanding of the product development lifecycle from concept through production

• Experience with overseas factory communication and sample development processes

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate clearly with factories and internal teams

Preferred Skills

• Experience in footwear design or development (especially sandals or casual/lifestyle products)

• Exposure to footwear materials sourcing, including textiles, leathers, foams, and trims

• Experience using PLM systems or product tracking tools

• Basic knowledge of footwear construction methods

• Understanding of fit, wear-testing, and product performance considerations

• Ability to create digital renderings beyond basic Illustrator work

What You’ll Gain

This role offers a unique opportunity to learn the full end-to-end footwear development process - from concept through production. You’ll gain hands-on exposure to design and collection building, as well as materials, construction, sourcing, and factory partnership, while working closely with leadership in a highly collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.

Culture

We are a small, passionate team that values collaboration, accountability, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves. We take pride in building great product while supporting one another and maintaining a positive, solution-oriented environment.

Benefits

• Base salary of $60K–$70K per year plus bonus opportunity

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Employee discount on company products

To Apply

Please submit your resume and portfolio to Erin Lane at erin@harimari.com with the subject line:Assistant Footwear Designer / Developer – [Your Name]

Equal Opportunity Employer

Hari Mari is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce.