Kids Apparel Designer

Kids Comfortwear / Casualwear

Company: AOGU Apparel

Location: United States (Remote initially; hybrid/on-site in Southern California planned)

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary Range: USD $72,000 – $115,000 annually (based on experience)

Who We Are

AOGU Apparel is a global apparel manufacturing partner focused on comfort-driven, high-quality casualwear and activewear for the U.S. and international markets.

We specialize in OEM & ODM development, supporting brands from early concept and design refinement through sampling and large-scale production. Our work sits at the intersection of design, comfort, function, and manufacturability—where ideas must not only look good, but also fit well, feel right, and scale reliably.

As our U.S. business grows, we are building a US-based creative and product team to bring stronger local insight, faster collaboration, and deeper market understanding into our development process.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Kids Apparel Designer who is deeply passionate about comfort, fit, and thoughtful design for children.

This role goes far beyond sketching styles. You will own the kids design process end-to-end, shaping products that balance:

Comfort and wearability

Age-appropriate design and durability

Brand aesthetics and commercial viability

Creative intent and production reality

You will work closely with brand partners, product developers, and manufacturing teams to ensure every design is intentional, compliant, and production-ready.

What You’ll DoDesign Vision & Creative Leadership

Translate market trends, lifestyle insights, and brand direction into kids apparel designs that feel modern, comfortable, and timeless

Design across Kids Apparel categories, including:

Hoodies and sweat sets

Loungewear and easy everyday basics

Casual knitwear and comfort-focused silhouettes

Develop designs that prioritize movement, softness, durability, and ease of wear

Maintain each brand’s visual DNA while adapting designs for scalability and manufacturing feasibility

Fit, Comfort & Compliance

Design with a deep understanding of kids fit standards, grading, and movement needs

Ensure all designs meet U.S. children’s product safety and compliance requirements

Participate in fittings, wear-testing, and sampling to validate comfort, function, and durability

Collaborate with technical teams to refine construction, materials, and finishes

Design Execution & Technical Development

Own the design process from concept through production handoff

Create detailed tech packs, including measurements, construction methods, trims, and BOMs

Develop seasonal color stories, graphics, and patterns aligned with brand direction

Review samples and provide clear, actionable feedback to factories and vendors

Cross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with:

U.S.-based brand clients

Product development and sourcing teams

Overseas factories and technical partners

Communicate design intent clearly to ensure accuracy and consistency across production

Track development timelines and ensure on-time delivery in a fast-paced environment

Commercial & Production AwarenessDesign within target cost structures while maintaining quality and comfort standards

Balance trend-forward ideas with real-world production constraints

Support client presentations and internal reviews with strong design rationale

What You BringDesign & Market Expertise7–10+ years of experience designing kids apparel, preferably within casualwear or comfort-focused categories

Strong understanding of U.S. kids apparel market expectations

Proven ability to design products that are both creative and commercially successful

Technical Skills

Deep knowledge of:

Kids garment construction

Fabric performance and durability

Fit standards and grading

Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

Experience with 3D tools (e.g. CLO3D) is a strong plus

Professional Strengths

Highly organized and detail-oriented

Comfortable managing multiple projects across different brands

Strong communicator with experience working with international teams

Solutions-oriented mindset and ability to adapt quickly

You Are

Passionate about designing products that children actually love to wear

Comfortable working close to manufacturing and technical execution

Confident balancing creativity with structure, timelines, and cost

Collaborative, proactive, and ownership-driven

Excited to help shape a growing U.S. design function from an early stage

Why Join AOGU Apparel

Design products that go from idea to real production

Work closely with experienced global manufacturing teams

High level of ownership and creative influence

Exposure to multiple brands, categories, and design challenges

Opportunity to grow into a lead role as our U.S. team expands

Flexible remote setup during the initial expansion phase

Work Environment

Remote for the first 3–6 months

Hybrid/on-site setup planned as the team grows

Southern California (Los Angeles area) is a potential future office location

Equal Opportunity

AOGU Apparel is an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.