Materials Designer 3

Aquent, a leading talent solutions partner, is collaborating with an iconic global leader in athletic footwear and apparel to find exceptional talent. This organization is renowned for its innovative spirit, commitment to performance, and deep connection to the culture of sport, consistently pushing the boundaries of design and material science to empower athletes worldwide.

We are seeking a highly creative and detail-oriented Materials Designer to join a dynamic team, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of performance materials. This is an exciting opportunity to directly influence the aesthetic and functional properties of groundbreaking products, bringing innovative concepts to life and creating an emotional connection with consumers through compelling material narratives. Your contributions will be central to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the demands of athletes and elevate the overall consumer experience.

**What You'll Do:**

* Focus on seasonal collections, partnering with design teams to build compelling seasonal narratives and material toolboxes for athletes.

* Develop technically complex material designs using the latest innovations.

* Curate and elevate existing materials for refresh and collection models.

* Manage the entire material design process from concepting and ideation to finalizing technical specifications.

* Collaborate closely with manufacturing partners to ensure design integrity and feasibility.

* Engage directly with athletes to gather insights and validate material performance.

* Work cross-functionally with product design, color, graphics, development, and material development teams.

* Contribute to a collaborative, culture-driven partnership space that drives storytelling and fuels the brand.

**What You'll Bring:**

**Required Skills & Experience:**

* 5-7 years of experience in a materials design role, with a strong preference for experience in performance footwear; experience in apparel and/or accessories is also valuable.

* Expertise in professional design software.

* Basic understanding of various material types, including knits, wovens, synthetics, and injection molded components.

* Proven collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively within large, cross-functional teams.

* Expertise in identifying and researching trends.

* Strong presentation software skills.

* Ability to build accurate 2D technical drawings.

* Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

* Deeper knowledge and experience within and adjacent to the culture of sport.

* Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives.

* Open-minded, a good listener, and receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view.

**Stand-Out Skills:**

* Experience with 3D visualization tools.

* Passion for specific sports, particularly football.

* Expertise in manufacturing processes and construction techniques, beyond a digitally-based skillset.

* Cobbling and prototyping skills.

* Experience in working with technical design.

* Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing practices.

**About Aquent Talent:**

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.

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