New

Principal Product Developer - Apparel

Columbia Sportswear
life insurance, 401(k)
United States, Oregon, Portland
Oct 31, 2025
This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company. OUTGROWN YOUR OWN BACKYARD? COME PLAY IN OURS. At Columbia, we're as passionate about the outdoors as you are. And while our gear is available worldwide, we're proud to be based in the Pacific Northwest, where natural wonders are our playground. Every product we make and every task we undertake is inspired by the famous words of our founder Gert Boyle: "It's perfect. Now make it better." As pioneers of relentless improvement, we are constantly evolving. We believe the outdoors is ours to protect and strive to keep our planet healthy. We believe in empowering people to experience the outdoors to the fullest. And we believe in you. ABOUT THE POSITION Columbia Sportswear's dynamic global supply chain consists of 4 distribution centers, 430 retail stores, 80 apparel factories and 20 footwear factories worldwide. We pride ourselves on being able to get products to market quickly, safely, and in the most cost-effective manner. By leveraging data analytics, we are constantly pushing to make smarter business decisions and identifying innovative ways to make Columbia Sportswear's supply chain more efficient and effective to meet our consumers' ever-changing needs. As a Principal Product Developer - Apparel, you'll lead the technical development of innovative, high-performance outdoor apparel. You'll partner with cross-functional teams to ensure our products meet the highest standards of fit, function, durability, and manufacturability. You'll serve as a technical expert and mentor, driving engineering excellence and process innovation across the product lifecycle-from concept through commercialization. HOWYOU'LLMAKE A DIFFERENCE Lead the product development of construction, fit standards, innovation and performance protocols for outdoor apparel that exceeds customer expectations Drive strong cross-functional collaboration with Product Creation and Manufacturing teams, influencing decision making effectively Advance knowledge of prototypes review, costing, calendar management and production to ensure quality, consistency, and manufacturability Partner with global factory teams to troubleshoot construction issues and optimize production processes Support product development manager on strategic short & long range projects Mentor developers on best practices in apparel development, costing and testing Train & support onboarding of new hires Identify cost saving opportunities through material efficiencies and process improvements Drive the team towards achieving deadlines and optimize development & commercialization processes Demonstrate the ability to develop products independently YOU ARE A collaborative leader who thrives in cross-functional environments and builds strong relationships across teams A problem-solver with a deep understanding of apparel construction, testing, and manufacturing A strategic thinker who balances innovation with commercial feasibility A clear & strong communicator who can translate technical insights into actionable direction A passionate advocate for product excellence and continuous improvement YOUHAVE 10+ years of experience in apparel product development, pattern making, or technical design Expertise in product development, garment construction, quality and manufacturing. Advance knowledge in fit & raw materials Experience working with global manufacturing partners and navigating commercialization challenges Advance experience in PDM, adobe illustrator, Microsoft applications, power BI. Knowledge of virtual prototyping is considered a plus Strong influencing skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously Advanced knowledge of garment construction methods, raw materials, and manufacturing sewing operations and fit. #LI-JD1 This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter. At Columbia Sportswear Company, we're proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family's financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available. If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to AskHR@columbia.com with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.