Product Developer Assistant (On-site)

## 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. **A day on the job looks like this:** - Research education standards, developmental milestones, and market trends to give product developers the context they need to make informed design decisions. - Observe and document real-world product testing with children in our on-site preschool, capturing insights that improve usability and age-appropriateness. - Evaluate incoming product samples and build inspection documentation that keeps quality standards clear and consistent. - Support cleanability and safety testing activities, helping the team gather and organize results accurately and on schedule. - Create product mock-ups and polished presentations that bring early-stage concepts to life for internal reviews. - Partner with Art and Editorial teams to develop content for product guides, packaging, and related materials. - Keep 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. - Familiarity with child developmental milestones, education standards, and current trends in early childhood or K–12 learning. - Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. - Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor information clearly for different audiences. - Genuine attention to detail — you catch things others miss and take pride in accurate, well-organized work. - This is a full-time, onsite role based at our Carson, CA headquarters. **Preferred** - Experience observing or working directly with children in a classroom, childcare, or research setting. - Exposure to product development, curriculum design, or educational publishing. - Experience creating consumer-facing content such as product instructions, activity guides, or educational materials. **What sets you apart** - You juggle competing deadlines without dropping the details — shifting priorities don't throw you off, they sharpen your focus. - You ask good questions and stay curious, treating every research task or testing session as a chance to learn something that makes the product better. - You share what you learn. When you find a useful resource or spot a pattern in your research, you bring it back to the team rather than keeping it to yourself. ## Additional Information **And here’s…