Senior Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced

Brooks Running; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Job summary

Brooks Running in Seattle seeks a Senior Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced, to create forward-looking apparel concepts and materials for projects 2–3 years out, bridging long-term development with market-ready products. You will lead innovative design, prototype new constructions, and ensure feasibility for production, collaborating with Materials Innovation and the in-season design team.

You will use body mapping, AI-assisted visualization, and athlete feedback to refine garments that

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in design, apparel, or related field.
• 7+ years in apparel innovation or related roles.
• Proficiency with Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Able to connect technical decisions to user experience and market needs.
• Proven track record of innovation and initiative.
• Ability to lead in a collaborative, cross-functional group.
• Effective project management with independent work and regular check-ins.
• Strong attention to detail while seeing the big picture.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of pro kits for competition with emphasis on technical advancements.
• Lead development and prototyping of apparel concepts for near-future seasons.
• Manage projects through ambiguity to successful completion.
• Drive performance solutions addressing cooling, warmth, support, and protection.
• Collaborate with Materials, Development, and cross-functional teams for production feasibility.
• Rapidly prototype and test new materials and garment features based on feedback.
• Use body mapping and tailoring to engineer targeted support.
• Utilize AI and digital tools for visualization and prototyping.
• Present concepts at internal meetings with clear technical benefits.
• Prepare handoff packages for in-season design team.
• Conduct handoff meetings to align on design intent and production feasibility.
• Stay current with industry trends and sources for materials/tech.
• Attend trade fairs and collaborate on-site with partners.

Skills

Illustrator

Photoshop

Technical design

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Apparel, or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

Job Requirements

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.

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.

Work Experience

• 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!

Benefits

Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!

• Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.
• Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.
• Bonus- in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.
• Perks- including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.
• Location- You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

Compensation

The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $117,244-$175,918 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.