At Western Rise, we are on a mission to prove that style, performance and function do not need to be mutually exclusive.

Designed, developed, and tested at 8,750 ft in Telluride, Colorado, we are crafting the future of sustainable performance apparel. Stylish, multifunctional clothing that looks amazing and performs even better; allowing you to do more with less in any situation, whether that’s travel, outdoors, or everyday.

Western Rise is looking for a talented, hard-working menswear designer who is eager to design collections and product categories from activewear to technical outerwear. Reporting to the Co-Founder and Creative Director William Watters, the contract apparel designer will collaborate to oversee and implement Western Rise’s product design, product line creation, and assist with product and materials development. The designer will be responsible for inspiring creativity and fostering new concepts that expand on brand defining products and technologies while working closely with the entire Western Rise development team to design and deliver Western Rise’s best possible product. 

Line Concept 

• Build and present seasonal designs and mood boards that push Western Rise's voice through the collection.
• Responsible for inspiring creativity and fostering new concepts that expand on brand defining products and technologies. 
• Responsible for the creation of visual product tools that can be used by the brand for internal and external meetings and presentations. 
• Partners with the Creative Director to create and communicate innovative technology and design language which results in commercialization, awards and profit for the company. 
• Researches within the industry, outside the industry and at trade shows for new materials, colors and design trends that are then appropriately incorporated into the greater line. 
• Partners with the Creative Director to set seasonal color palette based on trend and commercial success. 

Product Design 

• Responsible for the high-quality execution of designs in all collections, categories and products whether they be designed internally or externally. 
• Executes individual designs and/or collections according to stated project briefs. Designs are produced with a deep knowledge of product components, costing, target margins, and required FOBs. 
• Collaborate with factory or external design & pattern-making teams on creation of new styles to establish initial specifications and compile with construction & material guidance in technical packages. 
• Identify potential production, quality and costing issues and make recommendations to ensure brand integrity.
• Recommend raw material components to meet brand standard and uphold design intent qualifications.

Product Development 

• Works with the Western Rise product development team to develop and track a design schedule to ensure timely completion of designs and design packages according to the development calendar. 
• Help develop materials and trim within a budget.
• Execute design and fit intent into bulk production while maintaining corporate standards by keeping accurate records of measurements and giving proper technical comments outlining construction details to factories via photos, pattern diagrams and markings directly on patterns. 
• Ensure timely approval of prototypes, pre-production & top of production samples by requesting construction options preemptively for higher risk styles 
• Field all fit intent questions in a timely manner and ensure factories submit samples on time 
• Establish fit protocol, fit blocks, and standardize methods of measurements and construction for consistency across all factories and internally with the product team. 
• Work with the Director of Product Development to ensure fit consistency within the brand and across product categories 
• Create and help Director of Product Development maintain tools for communicating fit intent of assortment with external partners (technical packets, line sheets, WIP reports)

• 5+ years of experience designing men's apparel
• Deadline driven
• Strong communication skills
• Positive attitude
• Knowledge of construction standards and production operations and pipeline
• Knowledge of pattern-making including grading, construction and fit.
• Ability to proactively troubleshoot and problem solve.
• Ability to communicate technical direction clearly and efficiently
• Strong computer skills (MS Excel, MS Word, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Have had exposure to PLM
• Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Technical Design, Manufacturing, Pattern-making or equivalent work experience

THE PERKS

• Open vacation policy 
• Competitive pay
• Travel 
• Free Western Rise gear

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.