Job Information
Outdoor Research, LLC Product Developer - Technical Apparel and Gear in Seattle, Washington
Title Product Developer - Technical Apparel and Gear
About the Organization About the Organization Since 1981, Outdoor Research has been building award-winning outdoor clothing and gear. We stand behind every product we make with the Outdoor Research Infinite Guarantee- warranty. Find out how we were born from our founder Ron Gregg's research-led approach to problem solving, and discover the origins of our first products in Our Story. Discover our roots in U.S. manufacturing, our legacy in Made in the USA tactical gloves, and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the development of face masks and medical-grade personal protective equipment in Protection. Learn about our product processes using recycled materials, how we enforce the safety and wellbeing of our workplaces, and our commitment to all people and the planet in Responsibility. Meet some of our community members who work to create safe, accessible, and equitable outdoor spaces in our Community Partnerships and our Ambassadors. We'd be thrilled to have you join the team and find your Career at Outdoor Research. Outdoor Research Values Curiosity: We are constantly striving to learn and improve ourselves. In our products, as a brand, as a team, and as individuals. Passion: We love what we do and take pride in sharing our work with others. Innovation: We are complex problem solvers. Collaboration: We are better together. Community: We embrace the collective impact we can have from our diverse perspectives; on each other, society, and our environment.
Position Product Developer - Technical Apparel and Gear
Description
Location: Seattle
Rate: $70,000 - $90,000 Potential for Hourly or Exempt
About this role:
As a Technical Product Developer, you will be an integral part of managing the seasonal product development process, executing design intent while driving adherence to product fit and performance standards. You will collaborate closely with a team of Designers, Developers, Sourcing Analysts, and Product Managers as you create product specifications, manage fit and construction, and provide style oversight from design handoff to commercialization. Through familiarity with industry trends and innovations, collaboration with the OR athlete team, and partnering with our manufacturers, you will drive product excellence, meeting the highest quality standards. You will proactively problem-solve to facilitate development solutions that support Outdoor Research core end uses and serve consumer needs from sport, training, and lifestyle perspectives.
Responsibilities Include:
Partnering closely with Designers to recommend fit types, blocks, measurement specs and construction standards that support design intent and end use to OR standards.
Building and maintaining accurate tech packs/BOMs/spec pages while managing the flow and communication to vendors and factory partners.
Tracking and reviewing all prototypes, sales, & pre-production samples against the tech pack specifications for fit, quality, design accuracy, and functionality; both new, updated, and carry over.
Helping build and maintain specs & grading standards, ensure adherence to spec standards and fit categories, prepare spec reports for fittings, and guide fit decisions in sessions.
Leading cross-functional fit sessions, both on mannequins and live models.
Partnering with Design to accurately build out colorway specifications in the BOM.
Partnering with Design, Sourcing, and PMs to achieve target costing and margin requirements.
Proactively communicating with vendor partners and contractors during the entire development process, working diligently to manage changes, avoiding errors costly production delays.
Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally for key development milestones and the building of vendor relationships.
Our goal at OR is to create products that exceed consumer expectations, include innovation and technical aspects, and are commercially compelling with our incredible fit. We're looking for a curious, detail oriented critical thinker looking to apply their skills at a premier outdoor brand.
Position Requirements
What you should bring to the table
Knowledge of technical construction techniques, functional applications, production sewing/manufacturing methods, fabrications, and trims.
Expertise in technical design, i.e. fit optimization and troubleshooting, familiarity with grading and patternmaking.
Experience and understanding of performance materials, technologies, and technical products.
Effective communication of style updates, fit corrections, and quality improvements to in-house and factory partners.
Proven track record of meeting and maintaining schedules and deadlines.
Ability to troubleshoot and spot potential production, construction, and fit issues.
Management of priorities and workload to complete required tasks; works well under moderate supervision.
Honest, dependable team player with strong communication and organization skills, able to adapt to new processes and tools as needed to support growth.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams and across departments.
Experience developing and communicating with manufacturing partners in a factory setting with the ability to travel overseas.
A curious learner that seeks to expand their knowledge base within the outdoor space.
Highly Proficient in the following systems:
Adobe CC: Illustrator and Acrobat
PC proficient
Microsoft Office: Excel and Outlook
PLM/PDM, or similar software use
Required Qualifications:
Minimum 3-5 years industry experience in technical design and product development
Technical Apparel experience preferred
Degree from accredited apparel design/development program or related
In-office 3-5 days a week
What do we bring to the table?
11 paid holidays each year and 3 floating holidays
PTO/PSST
Transportation benefits
Paid volunteer time
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans
401K with discretionary company match
Product discounts
Employee interest groups
Bouldering wall and Gym
Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time
Location Seattle, WA
EOE Statement OR is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in an unlawful manner. Employment-related decisions are made based on an individual’s qualifications without regard to race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or military status, genetic information, political ideology or other applicable protected class status. This commitment extends to all employment practices including selection, hiring, placement, recruitment advertising, promotion or transfer, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, demotion, layoff, or separation. All employment decisions are based upon the qualifications of the individual and the job requirements.
OR supports this commitment with an Affirmative Action Program, which is updated annually. The
objectives of the Affirmative Action Program are to ensure that our team reflects the diversity of our local community. We fully support affirmative action to include women, ethnic minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities throughout our workforce. The OR Affirmative Action Program is available for review by all employees and is maintained in the Human Resources Department.