Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced

Brooks Running • Seattle, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

As the Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced at Brooks, you will play an important role creating innovative apparel by applying athlete insights and contributing to world class design solutions that advance the Apparel line. You will support bridging the gap between long-term developments and quick-to-market products by partnering globally with factories, athletes, and the inline team to develop and inform advanced design concepts. Using your knowledge, you will create advanced concepts, materials, and construction techniques that enhance performance and comfort for runners, with a strong emphasis on feasibility and readiness for commercialization. Your work will culminate in a structured handoff to the in-season design team, ensuring a smooth transition from concept to production. You will play a key role in the in-depth exploration of apparel design that enhance performance and comfort for the run, contributing insights and independent analysis to inform future development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Apparel, or related field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)
• 5+ years of experience in apparel innovation, technical design, or related roles
• Proficiency in vector-based graphics software (i.e., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and familiarity with digital design and prototyping tools
• Computer proficiency with office software: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Keynote, and Illustrator
• Demonstrated ability to connect technical decisions to user experience and market needs
• Proven track record of innovation and initiative in product or process improvement
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group to meet strategic objectives
• Effective project management skills and experience, including the ability to articulate goals and objectives, manage projects independently with regular manager check-ins, and the ability to network and utilize internal and external resources
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organizing, and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all the pieces fit together and affect one another
• Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written with advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts, and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products, or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots”
• Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, and creative with the ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying and willingness to dive into the details
• Demonstrated ability to develop highly positive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company
• Travel 20% throughout the year, domestically and internationally
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Nice To Haves

• Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner to develop loyal, engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community

Responsibilities

• Develop pro apparel for competition, leveraging athlete feedback to create signature products with prioritization of technical advancements for global events like the Olympics and World Record attempts, including custom-tailored product.
• Develop and prototype apparel concepts for near-future seasons, prioritizing workload across short-term and long-range projects with varying levels of complexity.
• Manage projects involving moderately complex briefs, navigating ambiguity to successful completion while regularly communicating progress updates to your manager as well as flagging any concerns.
• Ideate on and implement solutions that address cooling, warmth, support, visibility, and protection using athlete and consumer feedback.
• Collaborate with Materials, Development, and other cross-functional teams to ensure concepts are feasible for production and align with brand strategy.
• Proactively prototype and test new materials, garment features, and technologies based on feedback gathered from athletes and internal stakeholders to refine designs for market launch.
• Use body mapping, pressure mapping, and athlete-specific tailoring to engineer garments that deliver targeted support and optimal performance.
• Utilize AI and digital design tools for rapid visualization, prototyping, and iteration.
• Present concepts and prototypes at internal meetings, clearly communicating technical benefits and user impact.
• Prepare comprehensive handoff packages including design specs, prototypes, and technical documentation.
• Conduct handoff meetings to align on design intent, technical details, and production feasibility.
• Be available for consultation during the commercialization phase to ensure design integrity.
• Stay current with industry trends by attending relevant events and collaborating with suppliers to source new materials and technologies.
• Attend industry trade fairs and collaborate on-site with materials and factory partners to advance and validate concepts.

Benefits

• Including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.
• Brooks offers generous time off, including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave.
• In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
• Including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees