Apparel Designer and Special Project Lead

Founded in Peru, our mission is to create natural, all-purpose clothing for people who love the outdoors. We’re innovating with alpaca fiber and other materials that are healthier for people and the planet, so consumers can connect to our natural world, make more conscious choices, and support the communities where our products come from.

About the role

We are looking for a passionate and innovative Designer to join our product team. As PAKA’s Apparel Designer, you will have the unique opportunity to establish PAKA’s evolution as a leading brand in its own category. This role requires a creative powerhouse with a keen eye for detail, heightened taste level, and the ability to manage a project from conception to consumer. You will infuse fresh ideas into our product line, ensuring they align with PAKA’s refined aesthetic and ethos. You will work closely with Merchandising and Product Development to create high-quality, timeless, and well-crafted products that inspire our customers. Your job is to design timeless apparel and special projects that establish PAKA as the world's leading natural fiber adventure apparel brand. Every product should enable our customer to travel lighter and move seamlessly from adventures to everyday life.

Note: this role requires a strong development background and not only the ability to be creative. You will need to see a product all the way from concept to production and everything in between.

Responsibilities

• Vision Translation & Product Design
  • Partner with the Founder, VP Product, and external Lead Designer to translate creative vision into commercially successful products.
  • Take strategic direction/concepts/product briefs and translate them into original design ideas, sketches, silhouettes, constructions, and product expressions that bring PAKA’s vision to life.
  • Generate multiple distinct concepts and design directions in response to a product brief, demonstrating creativity, range, and original thinking.
  • Contribute original thinking, materials, details, and innovations that strengthen and elevate the product vision.
  • Champion a high standard of taste, ensuring every product reflects PAKA's evolving design language, premium positioning, and commitment to creating products customers are proud to own.
  • Report on current trends and style moments for the team and overall company.
• Product Design & Seasonal Line Creation
  • Design commercially successful products across all categories (knitwear, wovens, outerwear, bottoms, AXS).
  • Responsible for creating customer-centered designs starting with seasonal concepts and working through to commercial viability.
  • Visualize line plans through sketches, concept boards, comp products, and prototypes. Own mock-ups.
  • Present concepts and designs to stakeholders and incorporate feedback.
  • Ensure all products meet PAKA's aesthetic, performance, and quality standards.
  • Responsible for PAKA Collaborations and Special Projects by working outside of the Seasonal Product Calendar and with close partnership of key cross-functional partners.
• Product Development Partnership & Execution
  • Partner closely with Product Development to translate design intent into production-ready products. Create clear design packages, technical sketches, and supporting documentation.
  • Attend fittings and collaborate on construction, fit, trims, and functionality with a problem-solving attitude.
  • Coordinate the Lap Dip Process and provide an educated POV on coloring the seasonal line with a perspective of current and future trends and how it works with PAKA.
  • Ensure design intent is maintained throughout development and commercialization. Work cross-functionally with Merchandising, Development, Materials, and Sourcing teams.
• Consumer, Market & Trend Research
  • Start with our customer - using a curious mindset, take consumer feedback and translate into product design.
  • Research macro trends, consumer behavior, competitive brands, and emerging materials. Share findings internally.
  • Generate a continuous pipeline of new product ideas, silhouettes, constructions, and innovations that extend beyond the existing line plan.
  • Bring outside inspiration, research, competitive intelligence, and cultural insights into the organization to help shape future product direction.
  • Maintain deep knowledge of outdoor, travel, lifestyle, heritage, and natural fiber markets.
  • Continuous learning and understanding of testing standards and requirements for the purpose of quality and compliance.

Qualifications

You are:

• Relentlessly curious - constantly bringing new ideas, products, materials, inspirations, and opportunities into the organization without being asked.
• High taste level with the ability to translate creative vision into exceptional product.
• Equally comfortable contributing original ideas and executing someone else's vision.
• Highly motivated – a self-starter with a positive attitude.
• Adept at inspiring teams across the organization.
• Driven by a dynamic, fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and pivot quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Impeccable attention to and love for detail.
• Ability to work with remote partners in multiple time zones.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Comfortable presenting internally and externally.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in apparel design.
• 3+ years of experience in Design and/or Development.
• Portfolio demonstrates original product thinking, strong concept development, and the ability to design across multiple apparel categories.
• Demonstrated ability to design across multiple apparel categories including knitwear, wovens, outerwear, bottoms, and performance apparel.
• Strong Adobe Illustrator and other design-related software proficiency. PLM experience preferred but not necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication: understanding of what to say in specific conversations, with different audiences.
• Strong builder of relationships: this role requires close partnerships with Merchandising, Technical Design, Product Development, and Materials, requiring high levels of collaboration and grace, done in a way that represents the Design team’s values of creativity, kindness, curiosity first, and leading without ego.
• Ability to speak to styles with confidence and take feedback collaboratively.
• Presentation skills; will present work at design meetings and larger milestone meetings.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment; agility and resilience will be key characteristics.
• Travel as required for research and/or development.
• Conversational Spanish is an asset.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid individual healthcare, dental, and vision contributions.
• 3% 401(k) match.
• $100 monthly wellness benefit.
• $1,000 annual PAKA product stipend.
• Unlimited PTO.

Pay

$80,000 to $100,000 annually.