Job Title

Our client, a leading athletic footwear and apparel manufacturing company, is looking for a Materials Designer . This is for an initial duration of months and is located at Beaverton, OR. Job Title: Materials Designer Reference ID: - Location: Beaverton, OR. Duration: months Job Type: Contract (Candidates must be able to work on W without VISA sponsorship) Material Designer II / Training Footwear Description: Blend artistic skills with technical knowledge to design materials that enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of products, structures, or visual presentations. Collaborate with project teams to understand design requirements and functional specifications: research and select materials based on their properties, durability, and aesthetic qualities. Utilize design software and tools to create and refine material concepts. Develop prototypes and samples to test and validate the visual and tactile aspects of the materials. Work closely with color scientists and texture specialists to ensure accurate color matching and texture replication. Consider environmental factors and lighting conditions that may impact material appearance. Collaborate with product designers, architects, or engineers to integrate materials seamlessly into the overall design. Consider factors such as form, function, and manufacturing processes. Stay informed about sustainable and eco-friendly materials. Integrate environmentally responsible options into design considerations and recommend alternatives that align with sustainability goals. Conduct tests to assess the performance, durability, and safety of materials. Implement quality control measures to maintain consistency in material properties. Maintain detailed records of material specifications, design processes, and testing results. Create comprehensive documentation for internal reference and regulatory compliance. Work closely with material suppliers and manufacturers. Evaluate material samples from vendors, negotiate pricing, and ensure that selected materials meet quality and design standards. Stay abreast of design trends and emerging materials in relevant industries. Provide insights on innovative materials and design approaches that can elevate projects. Purpose: Intermediate Material Designer Implement & execute design solutions Deliver materials vision & execute seasonal projects, aligned to creative direction & project briefs Accountabilities: Create original product designs or refresh existing products with supervision from Design leadership Understand the fundamentals of the design creative process, including exploration, receiving critical feedback and driving design changes Understand the creative process (design process, material briefs, tech pack build creation and hand off precision, development and factory communication and redlining) Participate in the communication and presentation of design concepts to internal and external audiences Collaborate and build interpersonal connections with Design and adjacent functions Key partners: Design Triad Manufacturing Material Development Mentor Operations Product Merch Tech Development Education: BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred Associate Degree preferred Experience: Preferred design experience: - years Understanding of creative culture Skills: Digital design acumen (design-based software needed: Adobe Creative Suite) Preferred knowledge and experience with advanced digital tools/D skills Proven design skills Understand creative process Understanding of make and the impacts of material choice Basic knowledge of material types Desired Candidate Profile: Minimum required years of experience: + YOE in Performance footwear Materials Design Education requirements: Bachelors or equivalent experience Must have skills: Portfolio: must include footwear, footwear that has gone to market for consumers, real world consumer experience Working on mini collections for each season, seasonal design side, some athlete focus groups Very design focused, influenced on materials brought into collections, simple expressions to complex, Nice to have skills: Experience with Performance wear, foams, mesh, TPUs, elastics, synthetics, prints Experience using materials library, exploring existing materials on hand, Experience collaborating with lead designers and color designers, product management, and footwear developers Interested and Qualified candidates, please send your most recently updated word document resume to .