Job Posting: Equipment Designer

JOB TITLE:  Equipment Designer 

HOURS:  Full-Time 

LOCATION:  Bozeman, Montana, USA 

ROLE:  The Equipment Designer works on a team with the Product Developer and Sample Technician through a process-oriented approach to refine and develop product initiatives as defined by the Design  Director and Head of Product. The Equipment Designer is responsible for conceiving of and communicating solutions to design problems that take an integrated and holistic approach to problem  solving. These solutions will address and balance the often-conflicting needs of product function, ergonomics, aesthetics, manufacturability, supply chain and cost. This will require the Equipment Designer to have real experience and understanding in all of these areas. 

DUTIES:  The Equipment Designer will review and seek clarity on Design Briefs received from the Design  Director. Once the briefs are well-defined, the Equipment Designer will prepare 2D illustrations for  review by the Design Director and Head of Product that address the problems set forth by the Briefs and  offer initial visualizations of the proposed finished products and important features and functions. 

The Equipment Designer will use approved 2D illustrations to create full-sized 3D models in cardstock in  order to further define the physical dimensions, lines and construction assemblies of the proposed  finished products. These models will be made using 2D digital CAD and once approved, serve as the  basis for patterns of the first product prototypes. 

Working closely with the Sample Technician, Product Developer and Pattern Maker, and with regular  reviews by the Design Director and Head of Product, the Equipment Designer will work through an  iteration process to develop and refine products in order to meet each product’s goals in a form that is  ready for mass production. 

The Equipment Designer will create an illustrated construction spec for each product that clearly and  visually defines all build details, seam allowances and construction specifications. This document serves  as a reference for external manufacturing partners as well as internal staff and will be proofed by the  Sample Technician prior to release. 

The Equipment Designer must have a broad understanding and semi-mastery of all areas of product creation. He/She will seek creative and practical solutions that may stretch the bounds of our current  operation, but also be able to find effective and elegant solutions within the constraints and limitations  of our current manufacturing and supply chain. 

The Equipment Designer will be organized in order to meet review and delivery deadlines and be able to  effectively communicate ideas verbally, visually and in model or mock-up. Successful delivery of finished  designs will require close collaboration with all members of the Product Team.  

The Equipment Designer may at times be required to travel to Trade Shows or Factories both domestic  and overseas to meet with vendors in-person in order to facilitate problem-solving or on-boarding of a  new style, or gain better understanding of the production environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Ability to creatively solve design problems within the scope and limitations of the project
• Communication and delivery of design solutions in 2D and 3D formats 
• Making of physical mock-ups, models, and 1stsewn prototypes as references for the Team
• Ability to find a strategic and effective development path to iterate designs toward completion
• Creation and maintenance of the illustrated Construction Spec 
• Coordinate with the Product Team for on-time delivery of finished product designs
• Digest reporting from the Quality Team that identifies possible design problems in existing product 

AREAS OF SUPPORT: 

• Pattern creation and adjustment when pattern support is unavailable 
• Sewn sample or mock-up creation 
• Illustration of visual line plans to aid product planning and Team visibility 
• Shop organization, maintenance 
• Warehouse support during periods of high volume or when others are out of office 

TRAINING: 

The Equipment Designer will spend the first 3 months of employment shadowing and being mentored by the Sample Technician. The goal is to gain intimate familiarity with current EVERGOODS construction  standards and to establish comfort and familiarity with the shop and its equipment for effective use as a  product creation tool. The Equipment Designer will be expected to sew samples of current EVERGOODS  product using existing construction Specs and BOMs to gain familiarity with the current standard of  these items.  

RELEVANT SKILLS: 

• A genuine love of making things 
• 3+ years of experience designing and making cut & sew product (preferably equipment) Broad knowledge of sewing materials and construction techniques 
• Familiarity with cut and sew manufacturing processes 
• Hands-on sewing and assembly ability 
• Strong visual communication and drawing ability (digital and hand) 
• Adobe Illustrator 
• Optitex patterning software 
• Basic use of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, etc) 
• Measurement in fractional inches and metric decimals 

EMPLOYEE CONDUCT: 

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through  cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of  race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status,  disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.