Senior Soft Goods Designer

Dephy is looking for a candidate who has an urge to understand how things work and who gets excited when there is no known solution to the problem  are a curious, creative, and passionate team looking for a team member to help us tackle challenges at the forefront of wearable robotics. Help us transition mobility exoskeletons from labs and treadmills to the real world: cities, trails, and mountains.

As a Senior Soft Goods Designer, you will create a variety of soft goods prototypes used on wearable robotic devices. This role combines creative problem‑solving, technical expertise, and cross‑functional collaboration to fabricate high‑quality prototypes from sketches, descriptions, and/or models. In addition to hands‑on design work, you will cultivate strong relationships with vendors, develop and present detailed tech packs, and function as a quasi‑project manager—coordinating timelines, deliverables, and communication across teams and partners.

• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with industrial design and engineering to build and test solutions and integrate soft goods seamlessly into complete products. As a senior designer, you may lead small teams and/or supervise the work of technicians for more complex soft goods projects.
• Design Leadership:
  Lead the concepting, design, and development of innovative soft goods components across multiple product lines, from initial sketches to production‑ready specifications. Maintain a workspace, including managing inventory of supplies, cleanliness of the area, and maintenance of tools, safety equipment, and machinery.
• Vendor Management:
  Build and manage relationships with global suppliers and manufacturing partners, ensuring quality, cost, and lead‑time objectives are met.
• Project Management:
  Plan, prioritize, and drive multiple soft goods development projects simultaneously, delivering on time and within budget.
• Technical Documentation:
  Create comprehensive tech packs, BOMs, and construction details to communicate design intent to internal teams and external partners clearly.
• Prototyping & Materials:
  Prototype using a wide variety of textiles, foams, plastics, with a restraint system to validate fit, performance, and manufacturability.
• Small lot manufacturing:
  Support the Manufacturing team when needed, by building a limited number of soft goods products for early production.
• Testing & Compliance:
  Ensure that goals are met through performance testing, user trials, and regulatory compliance activities for soft goods components.
• Process Improvement:
  Identify and implement best practices for soft goods development, materials selection, and manufacturing methods.
• Willingness to support other prototype efforts when needed

• Be a good human—get along with the team, build strong working relationships, and execute on Dephy’s Values.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Textile Engineering, Product Design, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience designing and developing soft goods for wearable, medical, outdoor, or consumer products.
• Thrives in fast‑paced settings, communicating clearly, staying composed, and setting the standard for professionalism while driving teams to complete projects on time.
• Strong skills in prototyping using cut‑and‑sew, heat‑seal, and other soft goods fabrication techniques.
• Able to manage prototyping projects and tasks autonomously with process documentation and accountability.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate and remain calm and professional in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience using computer‑controlled manufacturing equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters.
• Basic 2D and 3D CAD design tools:
  Adobe Illustrator or Solidworks.
• Knowledgeable and aware of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Manage Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

• Footwear experience is a plus, but willingness to learn footwear prototyping techniques is a requirement.
• Basic shop competency. Skills such as safety, cleanliness, organization, and familiarity with cutting and grinding tools and machinery.