Product Design Director

Raide exists to elevate human-powered movement in the mountains. We design and build the highest-performing and most functional equipment and apparel for ski touring and running.

We are one of the fastest-growing brands in outdoor sports by defying industry norms and holding an uncompromising bar across product, storytelling, and how we operate internally. This is a rare opportunity to help build a generational brand from the ground up — where everything you create directly shapes how athletes experience the mountains.

We are looking for a design director to help Raide build the best running and ski touring equipment and apparel in the world. This role will start at the sourcing and concept phase and drive product through completion. This role will work on apparel, equipment and accessories.

You’ll work closely with Raide’s Founder/CEO who has driven all of the product design to date and with external development partners. This is an amazing opportunity to lead the outdoor industry in innovation and push the limits of what is possible in product.

Sourcing

• Work 3+ years out to source best-in-class materials
• Work with suppliers on custom material/trim developments
• Build and maintain relationships with fabric mills and suppliers
• Attend sourcing tradeshows
• Track material samples, lab dips, and proto timing
• Ensure materials meet performance standards

Product Creation

• Be constantly brainstorming and pitching new product concepts in equipment and apparel
• Sketch, design and tech pack new products
• Collaborate with Raide’s Creative Director on color and print strategy
• Communicate with the athlete team on product ideas and prototype testing
• Ensure consistent design language across products

Product operations

• Create CADs and color-ups for every product
• Maintain up-to-date BOMs for each product
• Maintain up-to-date VLPs across product lines
• Work with external product developers to create specs
• Be in communication with the factories to bring products to life
• Collaborate with Head of Sales to adequately present the product line
• Contribute to line architecture and merchandising
• Stay on calendar

Grow/manage a team

• Over time you will build and manage a team of designers/developers
• Manage external contractors

• 6–10+ years of product design experience, ideally in both performance apparel and equipment
• 6+ years of experience working directly with factories in Asia
• Experience designing technical apparel, not just lifestyle products
• Deep understanding of materials, construction techniques, and manufacturing constraints
• Strong instincts for functional design and problem solving
• Comfortable working directly with factories and development partners
• Strong visual and aesthetic judgment with an appreciation for restraint and clarity in design
• Able to operate in a small, fast-moving team environment
• Both strategic and hands-on — able to set direction but also execute in the details
• Strong communicator and collaborator
• Strong understanding of the functional demands of skiing and running, with the ability to participate in product testing and provide design feedback based on real-world use of performance apparel and equipment.
• Willing to travel to Asia 4 times a year

• Competitive salary ($120k–$170k)
• Equity
• Free gear
• Flexible working hours
• Unlimited vacation
• Health and dental insurance

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to participate, please contact us at hr@raideresearch.com and we will work with you to meet your needs.

To apply, please submit your resume and any supporting materials through our application. This position will remain open until filled - we review applications on a rolling basis and will close the posting once we've selected a candidate. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

In support of fair and equitable hiring practices, we ask that applicants omit age-identifying information from their application materials – such as graduation years, years of attendance, or dates unrelated to job qualifications. This helps ensure all candidates are evaluated solely on their skills, experience, and ability to perform the role.