Sr. Technical Designer - Wovens

Job Title: Sr. Technical Designer - Wovens

Job Level: Senior-Level

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Location: Cotopaxi HQ: Salt Lake City, Utah (Hybrid)

Job Compensation: $85-95k plus bonus potential

About Cotopaxi:

Cotopaxi is a B Corporation that makes adventure travel gear to empower people to see the world and make it better. Our Gear for Good^Ⓡ promise is to make our products as ethically, sustainably, and durably as possible, while having a positive social, environmental, and economic impact. We dedicate 1% of revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports nonprofit partners with proven track records of alleviating poverty. Through our Foundation to date, we have helped more than 4.25 million individuals experiencing extreme poverty. For more information, visit www.cotopaxi.com.

Cotopaxi is a company that values people, innovation, and adventure and our work environment reflects just that. Whether you are working from one of our retail stores, our headquarters, your couch at home, or even your van in the woods, you’ll feel the camaraderie of our amazing team of visionaries, builders and go-getters. We are a team of adventurous, mission-driven people looking to prove that business CAN be a force for good.

Job Overview (What This Role Is All About):

We’re growing our product team, and we’re looking for a Sr. Technical Designer who’s equal parts creative problem solver, detail devotee, and passionate maker. You’ll bring Cotopaxi’s design vision to life through exceptional craftsmanship and technical execution across our woven categories - including lifestyle, technical, and travel apparel and accessories.

In this role, you’ll own the technical development and fit process from concept through production, partnering closely with design, merchandising, sourcing, quality, and product development teams to ensure every product meets design intent, performance expectations, and company financial goals. You’ll translate creative ideas into production-ready garments that deliver the perfect balance of form, function, and feel - staying true to Cotopaxi’s mission to make gear that looks good, performs exceptionally, and does good for the world.

Reporting to the VP of Sourcing & Development, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional leaders and global factory partners to ensure consistent fit, elevated construction, and scalable quality standards. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment where curiosity, craftsmanship, and collaboration are key - and where every stitch serves a purpose.

Job Responsibilities (How You’ll Make An Impact):

Technical Development & Fit

• Own the technical development and fit approval process from concept through production.
• Collaborate closely with Design, Merchandising, Product Development, and factory partners to ensure all specifications and prototypes meet aesthetic intent, quality standards, and financial goals.
• Lead fit sessions, manage fit model scheduling, and clearly document and communicate pattern corrections and fit adjustments to suppliers.
• Create and maintain accurate measurement charts, blocks, and tech packs - ensuring complete, consistent, and production-ready documentation.
• Conduct competitive fit analyses and partner with design to continuously improve fit standards and grading consistency across categories.

Product Commercialization & Quality

• Evaluate prototypes for accuracy of fit, construction, function, and overall quality, ensuring timely commercialization in alignment with the seasonal product calendar.
• Provide construction and production recommendations to improve product performance, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
• Partner with Product Development to support margin goals, offering creative solutions that achieve target costs without compromising design intent.
• Participate in material and trim selection to confirm suitability for design, function, and cost requirements.
• Identify and document special construction methods, building and maintaining a comprehensive construction manual for design and factory use.

Process & Collaboration

• Manage prototype tracking, sample comments, and approvals to ensure all milestones meet “buy ready” deadlines.
• Partner with Product Development and Sourcing to understand factory capabilities and participate in vendor evaluations and selections.
• Review customer and return feedback related to fit and workmanship; partner with cross-functional teams to identify improvements for future seasons.
• Support system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements to enhance technical design efficiency and accuracy.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and shared problem-solving across design, materials, quality, development, sourcing, and global supply chain partners.

The Ideal Candidate (What You’ll Bring to the Table):

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Soft Goods Development, Apparel Design, Textiles, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in product development and technical design, with a proven ability to take products from concept to commercialization.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of apparel construction methods and manufacturing techniques, including laser cutting, bonding, welding, and traditional sewing operations. Strong understanding of materials, patternmaking, and fit.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly present ideas to cross-functional teams, factory partners, and non-product audiences, including non-English speakers.
• Organization & Execution: Highly organized, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while adhering to seasonal product calendars and deadlines.
• Tools & Systems: Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop; experience with PLM systems required (Centric PLM preferred).
• Collaboration & Feedback: Open-minded and collaborative, with the ability to receive, synthesize, and act on feedback from internal partners, manufacturing teams, consumers, and field testers.
• Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule, with 2-3 days per week in Cotopaxi HQ and 2-3 days remote, depending on business needs. During key seasonal meetings or critical deliverable weeks, presence in HQ may be required for all five days.

Job Benefits (The Perks):

We deeply care about our employees and are proud of our commitment and investment in our team. We prioritize wages and benefits and always keep the employee experience in mind as we work to create a quality work-life balance for everyone.

Here is a snapshot of the benefits we provide:

Core Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision benefits with HSA, FSA, and DCSA options.
• Company paid basic life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary accident and critical illness insurance.
• Company paid employee assistance program.

Wellness Benefits:

• Company paid mental health benefits.
• Company paid volunteer time.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Unlimited responsible PTO.
• In The Wild Days: Two company-wide days off to recharge, reconnect, and embrace what inspires you.

Uniquely Us:

• Enjoy deep product discounts with 60% off Cotopaxi gear—perfect for living out your next adventure in style.
• Gear up for the outdoors with exclusive discounts from partner outdoor and lifestyle brands.
• Grow personally and professionally through thoughtfully curated learning and development opportunities.
• Stay connected and celebrate often with regular in-person and virtual events that bring our team together, no matter where you work.
• Be part of a vibrant, values-driven culture that champions people, innovation, and adventure in everything we do.

As a mission-driven brand, Cotopaxi is not only hyper aware of but also deeply invested in putting people first and paving the way as a humanitarian brand. We welcome, embrace and celebrate all people regardless of gender, age, race, disability, nationality, ethnicity, faith, or sexual orientation. We believe in Doing Good, and how we’re involved with that has no limits.

No matter what experience you have within the outdoor industry we encourage you to apply. At Cotopaxi we believe that experience comes from a variety of places. We look for individuals who thrive on challenges, are passionate about doing good, and believe that collaboration and radical candor are necessary for success. Show us how your experiences have shaped you and how you can contribute to Cotopaxi in our mission to Do Good. We can’t wait for you to share with us your personal story!

Cotopaxi participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.