Functional Apparel Designer

Harvard University • Allston, MA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University (SEAS) seeks a highly creative and enthusiastic Functional Apparel Designer to lead the conceptualization, design, and development of advanced textile-based solutions for wearable technologies. Working at the intersection of apparel design, engineering, human factors, and translational research, the Designer will serve as the subject matter expert for functional apparel systems within the Harvard Move Lab. The role requires the application of advanced design knowledge, independent judgment, and creative problem-solving to develop novel wearable solutions that support research, product development, and technology translation initiatives. Reporting to the Harvard Biodesign Lab faculty PI, the Designer will collaborate closely with engineers, researchers, clinicians, and external partners to translate complex functional requirements into innovative apparel systems and wearable technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Textile Design, Textile Engineering, Garment Engineering, Industrial Design, Human Factors Design, or a closely related field required.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in apparel design, wearable technology development, advanced textiles, functional garment systems, or related research and development environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in apparel design theory, textile materials, garment engineering, fit analysis, and human-centered design principles.
• Proven ability to develop original design solutions for technically complex products or wearable systems.
• Experience applying independent judgment to solve novel design and engineering challenges.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, designers, clinicians, and external partners.
• Advanced proficiency with apparel CAD and digital design platforms (e.g. Optitex, Gerber, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Experience contributing to technical publications, patents, grant-funded research, or product development programs is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated record of significant contributions to research, product development, innovation, or commercialization efforts is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the team’s lead apparel and wearable systems design expert for assigned research and development projects.
• Serve as the primary apparel design contact for faculty, researchers, engineers, clinicians, and industry collaborators.
• Lead the design and development of functional apparel systems, including garment architecture, material selection, fit strategy, construction methodology, usability considerations, and performance requirements.
• Interpret technical, functional, and human-performance requirements and develop innovative apparel design solutions.
• Work with the research team to integrate wearable technologies, sensing systems, actuation components, and other emerging technologies.
• Develop original concepts, design frameworks, and wearable system configurations that advance research objectives and contribute to the creation of new intellectual property.
• Design and oversee testing and evaluation for wearable systems; analyze results and recommend design modifications based on performance data and user feedback.
• Select and evaluate materials, fabrication methodologies, and wearable technology approaches; recommend adoption of new techniques and technologies to improve performance, manufacturability, user experience, and research outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to research staff, students, and collaborators regarding apparel design methodologies, wearable system development, material selection, performance and human factors considerations.
• Instruct lab members on use of related software, pattern making, sizing and sewing.
• Contribute to the strategic development of new research initiatives and translational opportunities involving wearable technologies.
• Present findings and updates at team meetings and to outside project stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of technical reports, publications, presentations, grant proposals, and patent applications.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level