Role: Lead Material Creator of Innovation Research

Team: Advanced Concept Design

Scope: Individual Contributor, P5

Years of Experience: 10+

Location: Ventura, CA

Product is the heart of the Patagonia brand. Building the best product in the most responsible way is central to our mission to Save Our Home Planet. Innovation, both from a performance and environmental standpoint, is crucial to our success. This role challenges norms and drives the identification, research, design, and construction of innovative materials for our products.

As the Lead Material Creator of Innovation Research, you will spearhead the development of sustainable, high-performance materials. Collaborating with material development, design, and commercial production teams, you will ensure seamless integration of new materials into our product lines. Your projects will span soft and hard goods made from metal, plastic, composite, and fabric, leveraging your academic and industry knowledge, hands-on experience, and ongoing research.

You will identify and evaluate emerging material technologies, manage partnerships with research institutions and suppliers, and oversee the testing and validation of new materials. Presenting findings to senior leadership, you will help shape our material innovation strategy.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about innovative, functional, and beautiful design and have a strong affinity for Patagonia's diverse product ecosystem and the sports communities we serve.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the research and development, testing and validation of innovative Performance materials that meet Patagonia’s quality and sustainability standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including material development, design, production, and footprint, to integrate new materials into our product lines.
• Identify and evaluate new fiber and material construction technologies and trends in our core sports and business platforms.
• Drive the innovation process from ideation to implementation, ensuring a pipeline of groundbreaking materials.
• Lead the prototyping and iterative testing of new materials, refining them based on performance data and feedback.
• Design and build unique and resolved solutions through material spec creation, design, and prototyping.
• Investigate and build new products and adjacencies that open new market segments or transcend current segments.
• Take initiative in identifying problems and solving them using our design methodology.
• Co-lead style material development and strategy with Material Developers, Design Leads, and Design Director.
• Partner with high-level brand ambassadors/athletes on activity-specific projects.
• Provide and receive material feedback with a strategic mindset, prioritizing the needs of the community & business​.
• Inform Materials and Design Directors/Lead Advanced Concept Designer(s) informed on material developments, product concepts, and storytelling.
• Build and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships with Inline Material Developers and Designers to create alignment and enrollment against concept initiatives.
• Product/trend research and presentations​.
• Maintain current industry technology, material and product innovation, research literature and equipment knowledge through education and hands-on experience.

Who You Are:

• Environmentalist - Deeply passionate and committed to saving our home planet, especially through innovative design solutions.
• Experienced – Extensive background in innovative apparel & equipment design
• Innovative - Proven skill at collaborating, problem-solving, and out-of-the-box thinking.
• Resilient - Able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Ready to take on challenging problems and see them through to the finish line.
• Adaptable – Exhibit flexibility and willingness to pivot as needed for the priorities of the business. Ability to interpret design intent and offer alternative solutions.
• Meticulous - Extreme attention to detail with strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentations.
• Self-reflective- Acknowledge your own experience and the experiences of others. Adjusts behaviors for success in an inclusive workplace.

Experience You Bring:

• 7-10 + years of experience in material research and development, preferably in the apparel or outdoor industry.
• Advanced degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Industrial Design and or Mechanical Engineering. Masters preferred.
• Strong knowledge of performance materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
• Extensive familiarity with product performance requirements and an innate ability to create solutions leading to new performance paradigms.
• Experience using the tools and processes used to fabricate Patagonia products: sewing, adhesive lamination, RF welding, 3D printing, laser cutting, and seam taping.
• Knowledge of garment construction, patterns, and textiles is required.
• Strong knowledge of production processes and machinery used in manufacturing technical outdoor clothing and equipment.
• Understanding of factory assembly processes and procedures.
• Experience working with high-level athletes on activity-specific projects.
• Working knowledge of personal computers with demonstrated experience in the use of such programs as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D Platforms, Word, Excel, Outlook, and 3D printing platforms like SolidWorks and Rhino.
• Comfortable with a team-based work structure and flexible to changes within the work environment and scope of responsibility.
• Comfortable communicating with the greater company when necessary for marketing and education purposes.

Hiring range: $150,000-170,000 USD

At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget. Note the full pay range for this role ranges from: $129,400 - $194,200 USD. The Hiring Range reflects where in the range we intend to hire for this role. 

Employee Conduct

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.