Principal Designer, Apparel - HOKA Innovation

Deckers Brands; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 138,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Bonuses

Wellbeing programs

Time away

Job summary

Deckers Brands in Portland, OR is seeking a Principal Designer, Apparel – HOKA Innovation to drive the creative exploration of next-gen performance apparel. You’ll collaborate with elite athletes, engineers, sports scientists and developers to translate insights into innovative concepts and technologies, shaping breakthrough solutions that elevate athlete experiences.

You’ll lead design teams, manage innovation projects, develop 2D/3D design techpacks, renderings, and storytelling, test with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in apparel, footwear, industrial, transportation design or equivalent.
• 8-10+ years of related performance apparel design experience.
• 1-3+ years of people management experience preferred.
• Strong ability to translate insights into concepts and communicate with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer future performance apparel blending innovation, athlete needs and HOKA DNA.
• Manage innovation projects aligned to the HOKA strategy, roadmap and calendar.
• Develop 2D/3D techpacks, renderings and compelling product storytelling.
• Collaborate with athletes and sports science/testing teams to test and refine products.
• Explore new materials, constructions and aesthetics for meaningful newness.
• Travel for design, development, and inspiration trips to factories and events.

Skills

Experience

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in apparel/footwear/industrial/transportation design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Figma

Rhino

Grasshopper

Blender

CLO

Keyshot

Gravity Sketch

Midjourney

Claude

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us.

Job Title: Principal Designer, Apparel - HOKA Innovation
Reports to: Sr Director, Design - HOKA Innovation
Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid) – Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday – Thursday

The Role

As Principal Designer, Apparel – HOKA Innovation, you’ll drive the creative exploration of what’s next in performance apparel. You’ll collaborate with elite athletes, engineers, sports scientists, and developers to translate insights into innovative concepts and technologies. Your energy, passion, and expertise will help shape breakthrough solutions that transform athlete experiences and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We celebrate diversity—of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

• Design and engineer future performance apparel that blends innovation, athlete needs, and HOKA’s design DNA
• Manage and drive innovation projects aligned to the HOKA innovation strategy, roadmap, and calendar
• Develop and refine accurate 2D and 3D design techpacks, renderings, and compelling product storytelling
• Collaborate with elite athletes and the HOKA sports science and testing team to test, iterate, and refine products
• Translate athlete and consumer insights into advanced concepts and radical product solutions
• Explore new materials, constructions, and aesthetics that bring meaningful newness to performance product
• Travel with the team for design, development, and inspiration trips to factories, tradeshows, and athlete events
• Contribute to HOKA global design strategy and seasonal direction, shaping progressive performance narratives

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in apparel, footwear, industrial, transportation design, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 8-10+ years of related performance apparel design experience
• 1-3+ years of people management experience preferred
• Lead by example, set a high creative standard, and inspire teammates through collaboration and constructive feedback
• Confident working fast, generating provocative ideas, and visualizing radical new concepts
• Balance creativity and high design with technical manufacturing possibilities and constraints
• Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, ideation, and brainstorming skills
• Mastery of advanced digital AI co-creation design tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, Rhino, Grasshopper, Blender, Clo, Keyshot, Gravity Sketch, Vizcom, Midjourney, Claude) and proficiency in Microsoft applications
• Ability to self-start, tinker, build, and prototype early concepts into tangible mockups and samples
• Advanced design thinking, creativity, and strategic approach, translating ambiguity into clear design direction
• Expertise in technical performance apparel, including materials, construction, fit, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing
• Deep care and understanding of sustainability and circularity concepts and practices
• Manage complex projects, meetings, timelines, and competing priorities with organization and attention to detail
• Build and maintain a strong creative vision across projects and industry landscape
• Partner effectively with internal and external teams, including consumer insights, athlete science, design, testing, development, engineering, and agency partners
• Create compelling narratives, presentations, and design stories for senior leadership and cross-functional partners
• Obsess athletes, consumers, markets, and trends, translating insights into relevant, progressive performance product
• Highly motivated team player and self-starter with a curious, growth mindset and focus on continuous learning

What We’ll Give You

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.

$137,500.00 - $185,600.00 The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in: Portland, Oregon Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.

More than Just a Footwear Company

From our corporate offices to our global retail stores, there’s a curious, independent spirit that’s distinctively Deckers Brands. We’re about giving people the freedom to pursue their passions. And we’re committed to helping them succeed; to become their best selves. That’s why we’re about more than work, the 9 to 5 or daily grind. We’re about opportunity - opportunity to create, to grow and to have an impact. As we work to become better at everything we do, how we better the world matters, too. Our products and brands are loved, no doubt about it. But the difference we make in people’s lives begins with our people, right here at Deckers Brands. We’re adventurous, spirited, unafraid of new challenges and willing to take chances. We are always ready to rally around a cause. Put simply, we want all of our people to thrive - to reach their full potential and have fun while doing it. Because in the end, Deckers thrives when our people thrive.