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Brooks Running

Posted 1 month ago

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Senior Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced

SeattleOn-siteFull-time

AI Summary

Creates advanced apparel concepts and prototypes for Brooks Running, focusing on innovative materials and construction techniques for future seasons and global competition kits, then hands off designs to the in-season team.

About this role

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

  • Runner First
    • We act in the best interest of the runner
  • Word is Bond
    • We do what we say we’ll do
  • Champion Heart
    • We give our all in everything we do
  • There is no “I” in Run
    • We stay generous with our humanity
  • Keep Moving
    • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.


Your Job:

As the Senior Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced at Brooks, you will focus on creating innovative apparel
solutions for projects 2-3 years out, bridging the gap between long-term developments and quick-to-market
products. 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. This role requires a self-starter and independent thinker able
to lead Apparel Innovation Design in collaboration with Materials Innovation to drive innovation for Brooks
Apparel.

Your Responsibilities:

  • Lead the development of pro kits 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.
  • Lead the development and prototyping of apparel concepts for near-future seasons, prioritizing workload across short-term and long-range projects with varying levels of complexity.
  • Manage projects with challenging briefs and through ambiguity to successful completion.
  • Drive performance solutions that address cooling, warmth, support, visibility, and protection, using athlete and consumer feedback.
  • Work closely with Materials, Development, and cross-functional teams to ensure concepts are feasible for production and align with brand strategy.
  • Rapidly 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 for the in-season design team.
  • 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.

    • Qualifications:

  • 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)
  • 7+ 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
  • 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 a 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
  • 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
  • Travel 15-20% throughout the year, domestically and internationally
  • Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

    • Skills

    Adobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopAI-driven Design ToolsBody MappingDigital PrototypingGarment ConstructionMaterials SourcingPressure MappingProject ManagementTechnical Documentation

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