Senior Fit Engineer

Columbia Sportswear Company • Portland, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Fit Engineer is a powerhouse role within the Product Creation team — your expertise becomes the catalyst that transforms ideas into high performing, consumer loved products. As the technical authority on fit, construction, and manufacturability, you shape the way our apparel looks, feels, and moves out in the real world. You’ll collaborate daily with Merchandising, Design, Product Engineering, Quality, global vendors, and liaison offices — acting as the crucial bridge that brings innovative concepts to life with precision and purpose. Drawing on deep technical mastery, sharp communication skills, and a relentlessly consumer obsessed mindset, you influence product direction at every stage of development. Your craftsmanship, data driven rigor, and command of digital tools ensure that every garment you touch delivers impeccable fit, dependable performance, and the signature comfort our outdoor consumer expects. In this role, your impact is unmistakable — your work directly shapes the product experience, elevates brand standards, and fuels the success of every piece that reaches the marketplace.

Requirements

• A technical expert in pattern engineering, fit, grading, and construction—especially in outerwear and performance apparel.
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and strong mathematical/measurement skills.
• A clear communicator capable of translating complex technical changes into accessible guidance.
• Collaborative, influential, and experienced working with diverse global partners.
• Curious, adaptable, and passionate about improving processes and elevating consumer experience.
• Organized, autonomous, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in apparel design, textiles, apparel engineering, or a related field.
• 6–8 years of technical garment development or pattern engineering experience (factory‑side experience strongly preferred).
• Deep expertise in digital pattern systems (Gerber, Lectra) and 3D platforms (Browzwear or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of performance textiles, both knit and woven.

Nice To Haves

• Experience partnering with Asian vendors (preferred).
• Knowledge of outdoor performance consumers and their product expectations (a plus).

Responsibilities

• Lead pattern engineering from initial concept through production readiness, ensuring alignment with design intent, brand fit blocks, and validated consumer fit standards.
• Maintain and evolve block libraries to drive consistency in shape, proportion, and grading across categories.
• Build accurate, detailed measurement specifications that balance aesthetic, functional, and manufacturing requirements.
• Conduct fit evaluations—both in-person and digitally—to assess prototypes, guide technical decisions, and ensure consumer right fit outcomes.
• Deliver clear, actionable technical direction using annotated imagery, digital pattern updates, diagrams, and concise documentation tailored for global teams.
• Utilize 2D and 3D tools (e.g., Browzwear, CLO, Lectra, Gerber, Optitex) to accelerate iteration, and drive fit excellence.
• Act as a technical mentor to design, development, and vendor teams, enhancing collective understanding of pattern logic, construction, and fit methodology.
• Transform insights from consumer testing, fit analytics, returns data, and field observations into actionable improvements across fit, grading, and construction.
• Identify pattern, fabric, or construction risks early and proactively recommend solutions to ensure commercial viability at scale.
• Drive iterative refinement throughout development, consistently elevating comfort, mobility, durability, and fit consistency.
• Approve final grading for accuracy, proportional balance, and adherence to brand fit standards.
• Partner with Quality and vendor teams to validate that production patterns and PPS samples meet all technical requirements.
• Protect the end consumer experience by identifying risks and resolving technical challenges before styles enter bulk production.
• Manage seasonal workload effectively, maintaining accuracy and timeliness across multiple concurrent styles.
• Communicate proactively across partner groups and time zones to ensure clarity, alignment, and smooth workflow execution throughout the development cycle.

Benefits

• Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match.
• Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services).
• In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services.
• We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

What This Job Offers

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