Sr. Material Developer

patagonia; Ventura (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Patagonia is seeking a Senior Material Developer in Ventura, CA, hybrid role, to lead development and commercialization of advanced materials. You will evaluate fiber and textile innovations, drive material concepts, and collaborate across design, product development, and supply chains to meet performance and sustainability goals.

The role requires deep material expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to influence external partners while ensuring traceability and alignment with Patagonia's

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in material development.
• Deep understanding of material performance and supply chain capabilities.
• Experience bringing materials to market from development to commercialization.
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners and suppliers.
• Knowledge of outerwear materials including fabric construction, DWR, insulation systems.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead development and commercialization of key materials and strategic projects.
• Anticipate risks and adjust development strategies to meet timelines and business needs.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies in fibers, yarns, textiles, insulation, and chemical treatments.
• Develop material concepts that support future product strategies and roadmaps.
• Collaborate with Design, Product Development, Quality, Production, and Innovation teams to ensure material solutions meet requirements.
• Maintain traceability of material and supply chain information from source to finished fabric.
• Apply material testing data to guide selection, performance, and improvements.
• Identify innovation opportunities aligned with category strategies and long-term needs.
• Build strong supplier relationships and evaluate suppliers for quality, sustainability, capability and cost.

Skills

Material development

Cross-functional collaboration

Supplier relationship management

Material testing & interpretation

DWR & insulation knowledge

Traceability & documentation

Job description

Role: Sr. Material Developer Team: Material Development Scope: Individual Contributor, P4 Years of Experience: 5+ Location: Ventura, CA (Hybrid)

At Patagonia, our purpose is clear: We're in business to save our home planet. Materials are the foundation of every Patagonia product and are central to delivering on our product performance goals while advancing our environmental and social responsibility commitments.

As the Senior Material Developer , you will serve as Patagonia's category expert on our materials team. You will lead the identification, development, commercialization, and approval of innovative raw materials and material supply chains that meet product, business, and environmental objectives. You will proactively evaluate emerging technologies, build a future-facing materials pipeline, and help define the long-term material vision and roadmap for the category.

This role requires a deep understanding of material performance, supply chain capabilities, and product application, along with the ability to influence cross-functional partners and suppliers in bringing innovative solutions to market.

What You'll Do

Material Development

Independently lead the development and commercialization of key materials and strategic projects.

Anticipate potential risks and proactively adjust development strategies to deliver against project timelines and business needs.

Stay informed on emerging technologies, including fiber and yarn innovations, textile constructions, insulation technologies, and chemical treatments, translating opportunities into relevant material solutions.

Develop and present material concepts that support future product strategies and category roadmaps.

Partner closely with Design, Product Development, Line Management, Quality, Production, Field Testing, and Innovation teams throughout the development process to ensure material solutions meet performance and product requirements.

Maintain complete and accurate material and supply chain information within Patagonia's systems, ensuring traceability from raw material source through finished fabric.

Apply deep expertise in outerwear materials, including fabric construction, durable water repellent (DWR) technologies, weather protection, breathability, and insulation systems across down, synthetic, and natural insulation platforms.

Interpret and apply material testing data to guide material selection, performance decisions, and continuous improvement.

Innovation

Identify innovation opportunities that align with category strategies, seasonal objectives, and long-term business needs.

Collaborate with Advanced Design, Innovation, and Materials teams to evaluate, develop, and commercialize next-generation material solutions.

Contribute to the development of category material roadmaps that support Patagonia's long-term product vision and mission.

Supply Chain Partnership

Build and maintain strong supplier relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared values.

Partner with strategic suppliers to strengthen technical capabilities and advance material innovation.

Evaluate potential suppliers based on their ability to meet Patagonia's quality, performance, environmental, social responsibility, capacity, and cost requirements.

Support the continuous improvement of material supply chains with a focus on resilience, traceability, and responsible sourcing.

Commercialization & Handoff

Ensure materials are thoroughly vetted, documented, and ready for transition at key seasonal and commercialization milestones.

Proactively communicate material costs, lead times, risks, and implementation considerations to cross-functional partners.

Contribute materials, documentation, and supporting information to Patagonia's Material Library and knowledge-sharing resources.

Provide clear guidance and support to downstream teams to enable successful adoption and execution of new materials.

Additional Responsibilities

Support Design, Product Development, and other partners in selecting appropriate in-line materials based on product intent, end use, and manufacturing considerations.

Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify material opportunities, industry trends, and emerging technologies.

Educate internal and external stakeholders on Patagonia materials, material technologies, and supply chain developments through presentations, trainings, written communication, photography, and video content.

Represent Patagonia externally with suppliers, industry organizations, and strategic partners as needed.

Who You Are

Curious: Continuously exploring emerging technologies, materials, and supply chain innovations that can advance product performance and environmental responsibility.

Strategic: Able to connect long-term material opportunities to category and business priorities.

Experienced: Proven ability to develop and commercialize complex material solutions at scale.

Collaborative: Builds strong partnerships across functions, cultures, and geographies.