Technical Manager Apparel Prototyping

adidas; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

adidas Portland Creative Studios seeks a true pattern‑making and sewing expert to transform concepts into physical prototypes. You will pattern, sew, and construct garments from concept to finished product, applying advanced knowledge of woven/knit construction, fit, grading, and materials.

The role emphasizes hands‑on prototype development, collaboration with NAM Creation Studios and external partners, and mentoring new hires. Office‑based in Portland, Oregon in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Technical college/design school training in product/engineering, or equivalent education.
• Bachelor/Apprenticeship as a product designer/product, machine or industrial engineer.
• Minimum of 5 years pattern making experience in product creation industry in a comparable role.

Responsibilities

• Transforms ideas into virtual prototypes, from sample construction and assembly, to model and mold making, to model patterns, for later production and documentation.
• Drives development of innovative product studies in cooperation with cross-functional partners based on market requirements.
• Works on an ongoing basis on new solutions to reach creative product goals using new methods and systems and/or new constructions.
• Creates samples and mockups to support the design and development process.
• Operates the latest equipment and machines to create innovative products.
• Mentors new hires in prototype creation and collaborates with internal/external partners on feasibility.

Skills

Pattern making

Sewing expertise

Prototype construction

Fluent English

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Technical college/design school training in product/engineering

Bachelor/Apprenticeship as a product designer/engineer

Tools

Gerber

Optitex

CLO3D

Browzwear

Illustrator

MS Office

Job description

Purpose and overall relevance for the organization

• As a member of the adidas Creative Studios team, you will partner directly with designers, innovation teams, and product developers to transform creative concepts into physical apparel prototypes through expert pattern making, sewing, and garment construction. This is a highly hands‑on role for someone who can take an idea from concept to pattern to finished garment, using deep technical knowledge of woven and knit construction, fit, grading, materials, and industrial sewing techniques.
• You will create and modify patterns for a wide variety of products, including unique one‑off pieces for athletes and special projects, while helping teams solve complex fit and construction challenges. You’ll combine traditional craftsmanship with digital tools, using CAD pattern‑making systems such as Gerber or Optitex and apparel 3D tools such as CLO3D or Browzwear to bring ideas to life quickly and accurately.
• This is not a traditional apparel design or production role. We are looking for a true pattern‑making and sewing expert who loves the craft of building garments, understands how patterns translate into finished product, and can independently construct high‑quality prototypes from start to finish.
• Manages the creation process for innovative and complex apparel and accessories pieces in collaboration with all the NAM Creation Studios related departments.
• Creates proper samples (prototypes) with attention to production feasibility and understands the entire product creation process and its systems.
• Conceives and drives smaller projects and workshops with members of x‑functional BU teams and/or external partners.

Key Responsibilities

Transforms ideas or concepts into virtual prototypes,from sample construction and assembly,to model and mold making, tomodel patterns,for later production and guarantees for its proper documentation

Drivesthe developmentof innovative product studies incooperation with x‑functional partners based on market requirements

Works on an on‑going basis onnew solutionsto reach creativeproductgoals, by using new methods and systems and/or new constructions

Creates samples andmockupsto support the design and developmentprocess.

Operates the latest innovative equipment and machines to create innovative products

Works with supervisor and business counterparts in evaluating newengineeringtechnologies for their applicability and value to the business, i.e. workmanshipworkshops

Maintain all chemical materials and supplies needed for creation ofapparel andaccessoriessamplesand mockups.

Organizetool boxes, fill up and prepare material libraries and coordinate capacity/space management under the guidance ofSenior Manager

Perform minor maintenance and repair on shop machinery and equipment

Consults and supports creative people/development teams with workmanshipsolutionsregardingindustrial production feasibility

Drives creative workshops and leads basictrainingsfor the creation center teams and/or external partners.

Establishes working relationships with internal and external interfaces to supportancreative and innovativeproductcreation process

Mentorsnew hiresin prototype creation

Key Relationships

Creation Center -Design, Marketing, Brand Operations

Innovation teams: Futures, ASL

Global Sourcing

Quality

External CAD and Sample Shop partners

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Advanced knowledge inproductcreation,with the ability to provide effective andcost efficientsolutions and an understanding of apparel/accessoriesconstruction, material construction and properties related to fitand usage

Ability to interpret and evaluate designs on model levelin regards topattern execution/engineering

Advanced knowledge of materials and trims for the apparel sports good industry

Consulting and training skills

Advanced knowledge of product production,and engineering techniques

Strong teamplayer andcommunicator with the ability to manage multiple projects under multiple deadlines

Ability to work with diverse groups, motivate or mentor others and a proven skill at problem solving and innovation

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Advanced skills in CAD programs like Gerber or Optitex

Advanced knowledge in Apparel 3D programs CLO3D or Browzwear

Fluent in English (written and spoken)

Advanced IT skills (Illustrator, MS Office)

At adidas, employees on the Creative Studios team are expected to work in the office Monday through Friday, five days per week

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications

Technical college/designschool training inproduct/engineering,or equivalent education

Bachelor/Apprenticeship as a product designer/ product,machineor industrialengineer

Minimum of 5 years pattern making experience in product creation industry in a comparable role

• adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• adidas offers robust and progressive medical, including HSA (Health Savings Account) with employer funding or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) options, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, adoption, with surrogate and fertility support, short and long‑term disability, and basic life andAD&Dinsurance, which can be supplemented with employee‑paid coverage. Employeesare able to toenroll in adidas’ 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match. Full‑time employees are eligible for education assistance and generous Leave policies including12 weeksof paid parental leave.
• Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance. Employees accrue prorated flexible time off in the amount .4388 hours per day that increases with years of service, twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.
• This position requires a high degree of in‑person collaboration, in‑office attendance is required Monday through Friday.
• The working location of this position is Portland, Oregon.
• Though our teammates hail from all corners of the world, our working language is English.

AT ADIDAS WE HAVE A WINNING CULTURE. BUT TO WIN, PHYSICAL POWER IS NOT ENOUGH. JUST LIKE ATHLETES OUR EMPLOYEES NEED MENTAL STRENGTH IN THEIR GAME. WE FOSTER THE ATHLETE’S MINDSET THROUGH A SET OF BEHAVIORS THAT WE WANT TO ENABLE AND DEVELOP IN OUR PEOPLE AND THAT ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR UNIQUE COMPANY CULTURE: THIS IS HOW WE WIN WHILE PLAYING FAIR.

• COURAGE:Speak up when you see an opportunity; step up when you see a need..
• OWNERSHIP:Pick up the ball. Be proactive, take responsibility and follow‑through.
• INNOVATION: Elevate to win. Be curious, test and learn new and better ways of doing things.
• TEAMPLAY: Win together. Work collaboratively and cultivate a shared mindset.
• INTEGRITY: Play by the rules. Hold yourself and others accountable to our company’s standards.
• RESPECT: Value all players. Display empathy, be inclusive and show dignity to all.

At adidas, we strongly believe that embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our culture and talent processes gives our employees a sense of belonging and our brand a real competitive advantage. – Culture Starts With People, It Starts With You – By recruiting talent and developing our people to reflect the rich diversity of our consumers and communities, we foster a culture of inclusion that engages our employees and authentically connects our brand with our consumers.