Product Design and Development - Materials Designer

Job Details

Industry: Apparel

Job Title:

Material Designer
Duration: 6+ Months

Location:

Hybrid – Beaverton, OR (Friday WFH)

• As a Materials Designer (ETW – Running), you will lead the design and development of performance‑driven materials that deliver a premium, recognizable, and consumer‑relevant point of view across Running footwear.
• This role is highly hands‑on and requires strong creative vision, material storytelling, and the ability to balance multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• You will partner closely with design, development, and category teams to translate cultural and consumer insights into compelling material solutions across seasonal collections.

• Lead the design and development of materials and material palettes for Running footwear projects
• Define creative vision, material strategies, and storytelling aligned with seasonal direction
• Maintain hands‑on involvement throughout the product creation lifecycle
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, development, and category partners
• Translate cultural, consumer, and performance insights into material executions
• Present material concepts clearly through strong visual and verbal communication
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting competing deadlines
• Navigate ambiguity and proactively seek information to drive design decisions

• Proven experience in Materials Design within Lifestyle or Performance product categories
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with competing resources and deadlines (highly organized)
• Strong fashion sensibility with above‑average design vision; deep understanding of trends, brands, and consumer aesthetics

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, or a related field
• 3–5 years of experience in a design environment working with materials, textiles, and/or color
• Proficiency in holistic product design and methods of make
• Strong consumer connection to performance products, fashion, and trends
• Exceptional presentation and visual communication skills
• Strong digital design skills, including CAD and design software
• Ability to collaborate across diverse working styles and teams
• Highly organized, self‑sufficient, and detail‑oriented
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast‑changing environments

• Experience supporting performance‑focused footwear categories
• Exposure to advanced material innovation and development processes
• Strong storytelling capability tied to brand and consumer narratives

EEO: “Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.”