About the position

At Patagonia, our purpose is clear: We’re in business to save our home planet. Product sits at the heart of that mission- and how we innovate is just as important as what we create. As performance expectations evolve and new challenges emerge, we are called to think radically, act boldly, and push beyond incremental improvement to imagine entirely new possibilities. This role challenges conventional thinking and drives the identification, research, design, and development of innovative materials across Patagonia’s product ecosystem. As the Lead Innovation Materials Designer, you will lead the creation of sustainable, high‑performance materials and ensure their seamless integration into product lines. Working closely with Materials Development, Design, Product Impact, Advanced Concepts, and Commercial Production teams, you will translate cutting‑edge research into scalable material solutions. Projects will span both soft goods and hard goods, leveraging deep academic knowledge, industry experience, and hands‑on experimentation. You will identify and evaluate emerging material technologies, manage partnerships with research institutions, startups, and suppliers, and oversee rigorous testing and validation processes. By presenting findings and strategic insights to senior leadership, you will help shape Patagonia’s long‑term materials innovation strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research, development, testing, and validation of innovative performance materials aligned with Patagonia’s quality and sustainability standards.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Materials Development, Design, Advanced Concepts, Production, and Product Impact teams to integrate new materials into products.
• Identify and evaluate emerging fiber, textile, and material construction technologies relevant to core sports and business platforms.
• Contribute to the innovation pipeline—from early ideation through implementation—ensuring a continuous flow of breakthrough materials.
• Lead prototyping and iterative testing, refining material concepts using performance data and stakeholder feedback.
• Explore new and adjacent market segments beyond existing category boundaries.
• Proactively identify challenges and propose new solutions using Patagonia’s design methodology.
• Partner with elite brand ambassadors and athletes on activity‑specific material innovation projects.
• Provide and receive material feedback with a strategic mindset, prioritizing community needs and business objectives.
• Build strong partnerships with inline Materials Developers and Designers to align on concept initiatives.
• Scout new vendors, materials, and technologies, presenting insights and recommendations to key stakeholders.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry material technologies, research literature, and fabrication techniques through ongoing education and hands‑on work.
• Apply a science‑based approach to develop novel and differentiated material solutions.
• Generate meaningful intellectual property.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in material research and development, preferably within the apparel or outdoor industry.
• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Materials Engineering
• Deep knowledge of performance materials and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of product performance requirements and the ability to create solutions that establish new performance paradigms.
• Familiarity with Patagonia fabrication tools and processes, including sewing, adhesive lamination, RF welding, 3D printing, laser cutting, and seam taping.
• Knowledge of garment, equipment, and accessory construction.
• Strong understanding of production processes and technical manufacturing equipment.
• Familiarity with factory assembly processes, procedures, and environments.
• Experience collaborating with high‑level athletes on activity‑specific development projects.
• Comfortable working in a team‑based environment with evolving responsibilities and priorities.
• Confident communicating across the organization, including for education and marketing purposes.
• Current with new innovations, technologies, and processes in fiber, yarn, finish, print, fabric and trims

Nice-to-haves

• Environmental Steward – Deeply committed to protecting our planet through responsible and innovative material design.
• Highly Experienced – Demonstrated success bringing innovative materials from concept to market.
• Innovative Thinker – Strong collaborator with a proven ability to solve complex problems creatively.
• Resilient & Self‑Directed – Effectively manages multiple priorities and delivers results in fast‑moving environments.
• Adaptable – Flexible and open to pivoting in response to evolving business needs while honoring design intent.
• Detail‑Oriented Communicator – Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including clear and compelling presentations.
• Self‑Aware & Inclusive – Reflective and receptive to diverse perspectives; adjusts behaviors to support an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• retirement
• leave of absence plans