Senior Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

• Runner First
  • We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond
  • We do what we say we’ll do
• Champion Heart
  • We give our all in everything we do
• There is no “I” in Run
  • We stay generous with our humanity
• Keep Moving
  • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

As the Senior Apparel Innovation Designer, Advanced at Brooks, you will focus on creating innovative apparel
solutions for projects 2-3 years out, bridging the gap between long-term developments and quick-to-market
products. You will create advanced concepts, materials, and construction techniques that enhance
performance and comfort for runners, with a strong emphasis on feasibility and readiness for
commercialization. Your work will culminate in a structured handoff to the in-season design team, ensuring a
smooth transition from concept to production. This role requires a self-starter and independent thinker able
to lead Apparel Innovation Design in collaboration with Materials Innovation to drive innovation for Brooks
Apparel.

• Lead the development of pro kits for competition, leveraging athlete feedback to create signature products with prioritization of technical advancements for global events like the Olympics and World
• Record attempts, including custom-tailored product.
• Lead the development and prototyping of apparel concepts for near-future seasons, prioritizing workload across short-term and long-range projects with varying levels of complexity.
• Manage projects with challenging briefs and through ambiguity to successful completion.
• Drive performance solutions that address cooling, warmth, support, visibility, and protection, using athlete and consumer feedback.
• Work closely with Materials, Development, and cross-functional teams to ensure concepts are feasible for production and align with brand strategy.
• Rapidly prototype and test new materials, garment features, and technologies based on feedback gathered from athletes and internal stakeholders to refine designs for market launch.
• Use body mapping, pressure mapping, and athlete-specific tailoring to engineer garments that deliver targeted support and optimal performance.
• Utilize AI and digital design tools for rapid visualization, prototyping, and iteration.
• Present concepts and prototypes at internal meetings, clearly communicating technical benefits and user impact.
• Prepare comprehensive handoff packages including design specs, prototypes, and technical documentation for the in-season design team.
• Conduct handoff meetings to align on design intent, technical details, and production feasibility.
• Be available for consultation during the commercialization phase to ensure design integrity.
• Stay current with industry trends by attending relevant events and collaborating with suppliers to source new materials and technologies.
• Attend industry trade fairs and collaborate on-site with materials and factory partners to advance and validate concepts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Apparel, or related field; equivalent combination of education and years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree(s)
• 7+ years of experience in apparel innovation, technical design, or related roles
• Proficiency in vector-based graphics software (i.e., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and familiarity with digital design and prototyping tools
• Demonstrated ability to connect technical decisions to user experience and market needs
• Proven track record of innovation and initiative in product or process improvement
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group to meet…