Columbia Sportswear is looking to improve the technical development of innovative, high-performance outdoor apparel by hiring a Principal Product Developer – Apparel to lead the product development process and drive engineering excellence and process innovation across the product lifecycle.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in apparel product development, pattern making, or technical design
- Expertise in product development, garment construction, quality and manufacturing. Advance knowledge in fit & raw materials
- Experience working with global manufacturing partners and navigating commercialization challenges
- Advance experience in PDM, adobe illustrator, Microsoft applications, power BI. Knowledge of virtual prototyping is considered a plus
- Strong influencing skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Advanced knowledge of garment construction methods, raw materials, and manufacturing sewing operations and fit
Responsibilities
- Lead the product development of construction, fit standards, innovation and performance protocols for outdoor apparel that exceeds customer expectations
- Drive strong cross-functional collaboration with Product Creation and Manufacturing teams, influencing decision making effectively
- Advance knowledge of prototypes review, costing, calendar management and production to ensure quality, consistency, and manufacturability
- Partner with global factory teams to troubleshoot construction issues and optimize production processes
- Support product development manager on strategic short & long range projects
- Mentor developers on best practices in apparel development, costing and testing
- Train & support onboarding of new hires
Other
- A collaborative leader who thrives in cross-functional environments and builds strong relationships across teams
- A problem-solver with a deep understanding of apparel construction, testing, and manufacturing
- A strategic thinker who balances innovation with commercial feasibility
- A clear & strong communicator who can translate technical insights into actionable direction
- 10+ years of experience in apparel product development, pattern making, or technical design
