Product Developer Assistant

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, over 50 stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

As a Product Developer Assistant at Lakeshore, you'll be part of the team that brings learning products to life — from the first brainstorm to the sample on a classroom shelf. You'll dig into education research, observe children interacting with our products in our on-site preschool, and help developers turn insights into better, more engaging learning tools. It's hands-on, detail-driven work that directly shapes what educators and children experience every day. 

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our Carson, California headquarters

A day on the job looks like this: 

• Researching education standards, developmental milestones and market trends to give product developers the context they need to make informed design decisions
• Observing and documenting real-world product testing with children in our on-site preschool, capturing insights that improve usability and age-appropriateness
• Evaluating incoming product samples and develop inspection documentation that keeps quality standards clear and consistent
• Supporting cleanability and safety testing activities, helping the team gather and organize results accurately and on schedule
• Creating product mock-ups and polished presentations that bring early stage concepts to life for internal reviews
• Partnering with Art and Editorial teams to develop content for product guides, packaging and related materials
• Keeping cross-functional teams informed by communicating timely product updates — like final product names — to the right people at the right time

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for:

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Studies, or a closely related field — or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience working with children or in an educational setting.