Product Design Director

Raider Research / Raide; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Raide is seeking a Design Director, Equipment and Apparel to lead the creation of high-performance running and ski touring gear from concept to completion. You will own the design direction across apparel, equipment, and accessories and collaborate closely with the Founder/CEO and external partners.

You will shepherd materials, construction, and user experience, travel to Asia for supplier relationships, and drive innovation while maintaining Raide's distinctive brand.

Qualifications

• 6 - 10+ years of product design experience in apparel and equipment.
• Experience working with factories in Asia; willingness to travel 2-3 times a year.
• Experience designing technical apparel, not just lifestyle products.
• Deep understanding of materials, construction techniques, and manufacturing constraints.

Responsibilities

• Define the long-term design direction across equipment and apparel.
• Develop multi-season product roadmaps with the Founder/CEO.
• Lead concept generation, sketching, prototyping and product design.
• Collaborate with athletes during development and wear testing.
• Develop technical sketches, tech packs, and design documentation.

Skills

Product design

Leadership

Collaboration

Technical sketching

Prototype development

Job description

Raide exists to elevate human-powered movement in the mountains. We design and build the highest-performing and most functional equipment and apparel for ski touring and running.

We are one of the fastest-growing brands in outdoor sports by defying industry norms and holding an uncompromising bar across product, storytelling, and how we operate internally. This is a rare opportunity to help build a generational brand from the ground up — where everything you create directly shapes how athletes experience the mountains.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for a Design Director, Equipment and Apparel to help Raide build the best running and ski touring equipment and apparel in the world. This role will start at the sourcing and concept phase and drive product through completion. This role will work on apparel, equipment and accessories.

You’ll work closely with Raide’s Founder/CEO who has driven all of the product design to date and with external development partners. This is an amazing opportunity to lead the outdoor industry in innovation and push the limits of what is possible in product.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Vision

• Define the long-term design direction across equipment and apparel
• Develop a multi-season product roadmap alongside the Founder/CEO
• Identify whitespace opportunities and new product categories
• Champion simplicity, restraint and performance in every product
• Ensure every product feels unmistakably Raide
• Lead concept generation, sketching, prototyping and product design
• Drive innovation in materials, construction and user experience
• Create technical sketches, tech packs, and design documentation when needed, while establishing standards for others to build from
• Collaborate closely with athletes throughout development and wear testing
• Partner with Creative Director on colour, print strategy and seasonal storytelling
• Develop thoughtful technical solutions to real problems in the mountains

Product Line Management

• Own the seasonal product line architecture across apparel and equipment
• Develop and maintain multi-season line plans and product roadmaps
• Ensure every product has a clear purpose within the Raide assortment
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Operations to build commercially balanced product lines
• Lead seasonal product presentations, line reviews, and merchandising discussions
• Balance innovation with disciplined assortment planning

Product Execution

• Build relationships with the world's best mills, suppliers and innovation partners
• Source materials several seasons ahead and lead custom material and trim developments
• Work closely with factories and development partners throughout the product creation process to ensure design intent is maintained
• Review prototypes, solve technical challenges, and provide clear product direction through commercialization
• Collaborate closely with Product Development to deliver products on time without compromising quality or performance
• Travel regularly to Asia to strengthen supplier relationships and support product development
• Build scalable product processes and team to support the company growth
• Manage external contractors
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing and Operations to ensure product excellence from concept through launch

WHO YOU ARE

• 6 - 10+ years of product design experience, ideally in both performance apparel and equipment
• Experience working directly with factories in Asia; willing to travel to factories 2-3 times a year
• Experience designing technical apparel, not just lifestyle products
• Deep understanding of materials, construction techniques, and manufacturing constraints
• Strong instincts for functional design and problem solving
• Comfortable working directly with factories and development partners
• Strong visual and aesthetic judgment with an appreciation for restraint and clarity in design
• Able to operate in a small, fast-moving team environment
• Both strategic and hands-on — able to set direction but also execute in the details
• Strong communicator and collaborator
• Strong understanding of the functional demands of skiing and running, with the ability to participate in product testing and provide design feedback based on real-world use of performance apparel and equipment

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to participate, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Age-Identifying Information

In support of fair and equitable hiring practices, we ask that applicants omit age-identifying information from their application materials – such as graduation years, years of attendance, or dates unrelated to job qualifications. This helps ensure all candidates are evaluated solely on their skills, experience, and ability to perform the role.