Associate Design Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Vuori is re-defining what athletic apparel looks like: built to move and sweat in but designed with a casual aesthetic to transition into everyday life. We draw inspiration from an active coastal California lifestyle; an integration of fitness, creative expression and life. Our high energy fast paced retail environment is reflected in the clothes we make. We aim to inspire others to take on all aspects of their lives with clarity, enthusiasm and purpose…while having a lot of fun along the way. We are proud to be an outlet for opportunity and for personal growth and success.

Vuori is looking for a Designer to join our Women’s Outerwear team. In this role, you’ll help shape one of the most creative and technically exciting categories in our collection. 

This individual will be responsible for driving the design process, including but not limited to concept, research, design, tech pack creation, BOM development, fabric selection, trim selection, fitting, and finessing product. 

Each season, you’ll design a range of outerwear styles—from lightweight transitional layers to fully weatherproof performance pieces—all rooted in Vuori’s modern, coastal-inspired aesthetic. 

This role blends technical skills with creative thinking. You’ll collaborate with partners in Merchandising, Product Development, Materials, Technical Design, and Sourcing to bring innovative ideas to life while ensuring every piece meets our standards for quality, comfort, and versatility. 

We’re looking for someone who is curious, hands-on, and passionate about performance apparel—someone who approaches collaboration without ego and contributes to a supportive, high-performing creative culture. This person should also have a keen eye for detail, a love of learning, and the creativity to bring fresh, inspired ideas to life. 
 
What you'll get to do:

• Help lead the design and development of Vuori’s Women’s Outerwear line—from concept to final product. Create performance and lifestyle layers that combine innovation, functionality, and Vuori’s signature coastal-inspired style.  
• Design a full range of women’s outerwear: jackets, insulated layers, snow styles, and related pieces. Experience with sweaters is a plus.  
• Partner with the Associate Design Director and design team to build seasonal stories rooted in trend, market, and brand insights. 
• Research global trends in color, materials, and outerwear innovation across outdoor, sport, and fashion markets. 
• Create technical sketches and detailed Illustrator drawings; support designs with prototypes or 3D mockups. 
• Select fabrics and trims that enhance performance, comfort, and brand alignment. 
• Apply seasonal colors and graphics thoughtfully across the assortment. 
• Present design concepts to cross-functional partners, clearly communicating inspiration and intent. 
• Build accurate tech packs with all necessary construction and material details. 
• Collaborate with Product Development and Technical Design through sampling, fittings, and finalization. 
• Understand outerwear construction, including seam-sealing, insulation, functional features, and ergonomic design. 
• Present prototypes and updates at key milestone meetings. 
• Adjust seasonal assortments based on feedback and commercial goals. 
• Work with Merchandising on pricing, forecasting, and line architecture. 
• Uphold Vuori’s design standards for quality and aesthetic consistency. 
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to a positive, high-performing team culture. 

Who you are:

• A bachelor’s degree in design (BA, BFA, or BS) or equivalent year of experience preferred.
• 5+ years of industry experience in women’s outerwear with a portfolio that highlights both technical execution and aesthetic leadership. 
• Deep understanding of garment construction, patterning, fit, and functional performance specific to outerwear. 
• Proven ability to take designs from concept through production, including BOMs, fit comments, and vendor communication. 
• Expertise in Adobe Illustrator; proficiency in Photoshop, Indesign, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaborative tools like Teams and Figma. 
• Familiarity with outerwear-specific materials and trims (e.g., 3-layer shells, mechanical stretch fabrics, waterproof zippers, insulated liners). 
• Experience with sweaters is a plus.  
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with a multi-track calendar and high expectations for quality and detail. 
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively across teams. 
• Self-directed, adaptable, and passionate about delivering best-in-class product. 
• A strong interest in Vuori’s mission, aesthetic, and customer—especially as it relates to bridging performance and lifestyle in outerwear. 
• Must live in the San Diego area or be willing to relocate. 

Our investment in you:

At Vuori, we’re proud to offer the following to our employees: 

• Health Insurance 
• Savings and Retirement Plan  
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Generous Vuori Discount & Industry Perks 
• Paid Time Off  
• Wellness & Fitness benefits  

The salary range for this role is $100,000 per year - $129,000 per year. This role is bonus eligible.

Vuori is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.  

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