VF: Principal Apparel Protoype Concept Designer (Innovation)

VF Corp.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 125,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

VF Corp. in Denver, CO is seeking a Senior Innovation Designer, Apparel to lead complex apparel innovation projects from early exploration through validated prototypes and handoffs for product creation.

You will translate consumer insights and brand needs into differentiated concepts with rapid testing and iteration. The role requires 6+ years of apparel design and innovation experience, strong prototyping skills, and collaboration across design, development, and supply chain teams to scale

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in apparel design, innovation, or technical product creation.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel craft and innovation.
• Experience leading complex design projects end-to-end.
• Fluency in relevant apparel design tools and workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead apparel innovation projects from exploration through validated prototypes and transition-ready handoff.
• Translate consumer insights, brand needs, trend signals, material opportunities, and tech into differentiated concepts.
• Prototype concepts using sketching, digital tools, material experimentation, construction exploration, and rapid physical prototyping.
• Collaborate with Materials, Development, Testing, Sourcing, and other product creation partners to validate concepts.
• Present work effectively to Innovation leadership, brand design teams, and cross-functional stakeholders.

Skills

Apparel design

Innovation thinking

Prototyping

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design/Industrial/Product Design

Job description

VF: Principal Apparel Protoype Concept Designer (Innovation)### VF: Principal Apparel Protoype Concept Designer (Innovation)Apply: USCA > USA > Colorado > Denver Lab - VFC: Full time: Posted Today: R-20260904-0030At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers or www.vfc.com. **What will you do?** The Senior Innovation Designer, Apparel is a highly experienced creative contributor within Enterprise Innovation, responsible for leading complex apparel innovation projects from early exploration through validated prototypes and transition-ready concepts. Working within the innovation direction and priorities established by the Director, Innovation Design, this role brings together consumer insights, brand DNA, advanced materials, emerging technologies, construction methods, and rapid making to create differentiated apparel solutions with the potential to scale across brands. This is a hands-on design role for a curious, experimental maker who thrives in ambiguity and operates with a **learn-fast mindset**, moving quickly from insight to tangible prototypes, testing early, and using evidence to iterate toward compelling, feasible, and scalable solutions.Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more: **What will you do?**A day in the life of a Senior Innovation Designer, Apparel at VF looks a little like this.Innovation Design & Concept Development* Lead apparel innovation projects from early exploration through validated prototypes and transition-ready handoff.* Translate consumer insights, brand needs, trend signals, material opportunities, and emerging technologies into differentiated apparel concepts.* Explore new opportunities across materials, construction, fit, function, sustainability, manufacturing methods, and product experience.* Develop strong design points of view while working within the broader innovation direction, briefs, hypotheses, and priorities established by Innovation leadership.Hands-On Design & Prototyping* Personally design and prototype concepts using sketching, digital tools, material experimentation, construction exploration, and rapid physical prototyping.* Establish prototype-first approaches, moving quickly from concept to artifact, review, test, learning, and iteration.* Partner closely with Materials, Development, Testing and other technical partners to validate concepts and assess feasibility.* Translate learning into actionable design criteria, specifications, construction solutions, and subsequent prototype iterations.Materials & Technology Integration* Explore and apply advanced textiles, constructions, treatments, manufacturing techniques, and emerging technologies to create meaningful product innovation.* Collaborate with internal and external material and technology partners to develop and evaluate new solutions.* Consider design intent, sustainability, manufacturability, durability, cost, and scalability throughout the design process.Cross-Functional Collaboration* Serve as the design lead for assigned innovation projects, working across Design, Development, Materials, Testing, Sourcing, Supply Chain and Manufacturing.* Drive clarity and momentum across projects, identifying design trade-offs and escalating key decisions or risks when appropriate.* Partner with brand teams to ensure concepts respect brand DNA and can effectively transition into product roadmaps and product creation.* Build relationships with external vendors, suppliers, research institutions, and technology partners to accelerate exploration and learning.Design Excellence & Communication* Create compelling prototypes, visualizations, presentations, and narratives that clearly communicate consumer need, design intent, hypotheses, and innovation potential.* Present work effectively to Innovation leadership, brand design teams, and cross-functional stakeholders.* Maintain a high bar for design craft and ensure design intent is preserved through iterative prototyping and transition to product creation.* Share expertise, methods, and learning with other designers, contributing to stronger innovation capabilities and consistent design quality across the team. **What do you need to succeed?**We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your **6+ years of experience** in apparel design, innovation, advanced concepts, or technical product creation. The foundation skills you will need in this position are: * Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design, Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.* Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel design craft, innovation thinking, and the ability to translate consumer needs and insights into tangible product solutions.* Strong understanding of apparel materials, construction methods, fit, patterning, and manufacturing processes.* Strong hands-on prototyping skills and demonstrated ability to move between digital and physical design exploration.* Experience leading complex design projects from early concept through validated prototype and product handoff.* Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments and use experimentation and learning to inform design decisions.* Experience collaborating with Development, Materials, Testing, Sourcing, and other product creation partners.* Strong visual and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex design concepts clearly.* Fluency in relevant apparel design and digital product creation tools and workflows. There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred. * Experience with advanced textiles, material innovation, engineered constructions, bonding, knitting, digital manufacturing, or other emerging apparel technologies.* Experience with consumer testing and translating insights into product requirements.* Experience using 3D apparel design and digital sampling tools.* Experience developing sustainability-driven solutions through materials, construction, durability, circularity, or waste reduction.* Exposure to IP, invention disclosure, or patent processes. ### Success Measures* Delivers differentiated apparel innovation concepts that address meaningful consumer and brand opportunities.* Demonstrates strong learning velocity, moving effectively from insight to prototype, test, learning, and iteration.* Consistently produces high-quality design work rooted in craft, creativity, and technical rigor.* Develops concepts that demonstrate technical feasibility and potential scalability.* Successfully transitions validated concepts and learning into brand roadmaps and product creation.* Creates clarity and momentum across complex, cross-functional innovation projects.* Contributes to the design quality, methods, and innovation capability of the broader team. **Now WE have a question for YOU.** Are you in?**Hiring Range:**$125,280.00 USD - $156,600.00 USD annually**Incentive Potential**: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.**Benefits at VF Corporation**: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking **Looking to Join VF?** Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.***P***lease note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.*******At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at* *[e-mail]**. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.**Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.*