Principal Designer, Apparel - HOKA Innovation
$137,500–$185,600 year
HybridPortland, Oregon, United States
Job Summary
Drive the creative exploration of future performance apparel by collaborating with elite athletes, engineers, and sports scientists to translate insights into innovative concepts. Manage innovation projects aligned with HOKA's strategy, developing 2D and 3D techpacks, renderings, and compelling product storytelling. Test, iterate, and refine products with the sports science team while exploring new materials, constructions, and aesthetics to push boundaries. Contribute to global design strategy and seasonal direction, shaping progressive performance narratives. Travel with the team for design, development, and inspiration trips to factories, tradeshows, and athlete events.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in apparel, footwear, industrial, transportation design, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 8-10+ years of related performance apparel design experience
- Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday – Thursday
- Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid)
- Mastery of advanced digital AI co-creation design tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, Rhino, Grasshopper, Blender, Clo, Keyshot, Gravity Sketch, Vizcom, Midjourney, Claude) and proficiency in Microsoft applications
- Ability to self-start, tinker, build, and prototype early concepts into tangible mockups and samples
- Advanced design thinking, creativity, and strategic approach, translating ambiguity into clear design direction
- Expertise in technical performance apparel, including materials, construction, fit, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing
- Deep care and understanding of sustainability and circularity concepts and practices
- Manage complex projects, meetings, timelines, and competing priorities with organization and attention to detail
- Build and maintain a strong creative vision across projects and industry landscape
- Partner effectively with internal and external teams, including consumer insights, athlete science, design, testing, development, engineering, and agency partners
- Create compelling narratives, presentations, and design stories for senior leadership and cross-functional partners
- Obsess athletes, consumers, markets, and trends, translating insights into relevant, progressive performance product
- Highly motivated team player and self-starter with a curious, growth mindset and focus on continuous learning
Desired Qualifications
- 1-3+ years of people management experience preferred
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