Principal Designer, Performance Apparel & Innovation

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 138,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation & bonuses

Financial planning & wellbeing

Time off for health and family

Discounts & perks for employees

Growth & development opportunities

Health & wellness programs

Job summary

Deckers Brands is seeking a Principal Designer, Apparel – HOKA Innovation, to lead the creative exploration of next-generation performance apparel. You will translate athlete and consumer insights into innovative concepts, collaborating with engineers, scientists and developers to shape breakthrough solutions and elevate athlete experiences.

You will drive innovation projects, refine 2D/3D techpacks and storytelling, and travel with teams to factories and events to push the boundaries of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in apparel, footwear, industrial or transportation design, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8–10+ years of related performance apparel design experience.
• Ability to lead by example, set a high creative standard and inspire teammates through collaboration and constructive feedback.
• Confidence working fast, generating provocative ideas and visualising radical new concepts.
• Ability to 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 a 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.
• Ability to manage complex projects, meetings, timelines and competing priorities with organisation and attention to detail.
• Ability to build and maintain a strong creative vision across projects and the wider industry landscape.
• Ability to partner effectively with internal and external teams, including consumer insights, athlete science, design, testing, development, engineering and agency partners.
• Ability to create compelling narratives, presentations and design stories for senior leadership and cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• 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 on design, development and inspiration trips to factories, tradeshows and athlete events.
• Contribute to HOKA global design strategy and seasonal direction, shaping progressive performance narratives.

Skills

Leadership

Creative thinking

Collaboration

Communication

Design storytelling

Project management

Industry knowledge

Education

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

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

Figma

Rhino

Grasshopper

Blender

CLO

KeyShot

Gravity Sketch

Vizcom

Midjourney

Claude

Job description

Deckers Brands is seeking a Principal Designer, Apparel – HOKA Innovation, to lead the creative exploration of next-generation performance apparel. You will translate athlete and consumer insights into innovative concepts, collaborating with engineers, scientists and developers to shape breakthrough solutions and elevate athlete experiences.

You will drive innovation projects, refine 2D/3D techpacks and storytelling, and travel with teams to factories and events to push the boundaries of