Product Designer - Specialized 5 [AQ-20941]

Aquent; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent seeks a highly skilled Apparel Designer to design industry-defining apparel on incredibly fast timelines, shaping the aesthetic and functionality of future collections.

You will push boundaries across cross-functional teams, finalize tech packs, collaborate with manufacturing, and mentor design teammates while delivering on-trend, performance-focused garments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in design or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in apparel design with hands-on execution.
• Experience delivering quick-to-market products on a ~1-year go-to-market timeline.
• Experience creating apparel chassis from trends to market.

Responsibilities

• Push revolutionary aesthetics in apparel design with cross-functional teams.
• Concept and ideate through the target consumer for both digital and physical concepts.
• Finalize tech packs with Merchandising, Technical Development, and Design teams.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and external partners to ensure fidelity of vision to consumer.
• Drive innovative aesthetics through brand product creation and partnerships.

Skills

Apparel design

Rapid prototyping

Adobe Illustrator

3D design

Color theory

Communication

Mentoring

Industrial design

Education

Bachelor's degree in design or related field

Equivalent experience

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

3D design software

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled and creative Apparel Designer to bring their expertise, craftsmanship, and problem-solving abilities to design industry-defining apparel on incredibly fast timelines. This is a dynamic opportunity to shape the aesthetic and functionality of future collections, working across a range of designs and pushing creative boundaries with speed and efficiency. Your passion for innovation and attention to detail will be crucial in delivering products that truly wow consumers and elevate the art of apparel design.

What You’ll Do

• Push revolutionary aesthetics in apparel design, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to drive the future of product design.
• Concept and ideate through the lens of the target consumer, creating apparel concepts both digitally and physically.
• Finalize tech packs and collaborate closely with Merchandising, Technical Development, and cross-functional Design teams.
• Work with manufacturing and external partners to ensure the continuity and fidelity of your vision and story through to the consumer.
• Drive innovation and future aesthetics, not only through the product itself but through the way the brand creates product, to unleash future-leading designs that disrupt the competition.
• Learn new skills, hone existing ones, explore new methods of make, and push the boundaries of product design.
• Collaborate within the broader design community (color, graphics, product line management, etc.) to bring energetic, creative ideas to life through apparel.

What You’ll Bring

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in design or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in apparel design, with a recent focus on individual contribution and hands‑on execution.
• Demonstrated ability to work on very quick-to-market products and projects with approximately a one-year go-to-market timeline, creating in‑line apparel products.
• Experience creating apparel chassis—the silhouette and base shape of an apparel piece—by pulling on current trends and getting to market efficiently.
• A portfolio showcasing a collection that has successfully gone to market from sketch to final product, demonstrating personal taste beyond general brand guidelines.
• Ability to think strategically about product relevance, positioning, timing, and collections.
• Strong knowledge of fashion, design, and lifestyle trends.
• Ability to build seasonal concepts and provide the team with both short and long‑term vision.
• Proficient ability to apply industrial design skills, including drawing/sketching, ideation, color theory, use of textiles, spacing and scale, visual presentation development, and layout, supported by a portfolio of non-computer based creative design.
• Digital design competence in Adobe Creative Cloud (including Illustrator) and comfortable working within digital tools/3D.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials.
• Ability to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project.
• Experience with presentation programs such as Keynote, PowerPoint, and Acrobat.
• A positive personality and energy, with a passion to lead, mentor, and onboard design teammates.
• Ability to contribute to and align with shared team culture and behaviors.
• A catalyst for making connections with other design groups and driving partnerships beyond the design function (e.g., Marketing, Engineering, Development).
• Motivated and hardworking, with a collaborative spirit and a skill for connecting the dots.
• Open‑minded, a good listener, and receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience in men’s and women’s apparel, streetwear, and performance wear (e.g., basketball, training, football, golf).
• Experience collaborating with internal and external graphic designers and color designers.
• Highly organized with strong communication skills.
• Apparel construction, draping, patternmaking, and prototyping skills.
• Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing.
• Previous industry experience.

Client Description

Global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Our client focuses on innovation, performance, and marketing, partnering with top athletes and teams. The company emphasizes sustainability and digital advancements to enhance the sports experience.