Character Designer Jobs in Draper, UT (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Senior Designer - Men’s Apparel

Job Level: Senior Level

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Location: Cotopaxi HQ: Salt Lake City, Utah (Remote Work Available in MST or PST)

Job Compensation: $95-110k plus annual bonus potential

About Cotopaxi:
We make adventure travel gear to empower people to see the world and make it better. As a Certified B Corporation, our Gear for GoodⓇ promise drives everything we do - from ethical and sustainable sourcing to products built to last and create lasting change. Through the Cotopaxi Foundation, we dedicate 1% of our revenue to nonprofits that fight poverty and support communities in need. So far, we’ve helped more than 4.25 million people experiencing extreme poverty - and we’re just getting started.

Our team is full of passionate, curious, and mission-driven people who love adventure and believe business can be a force for good. Whether you’re working from a retail shop, our Salt Lake City HQ, your home, or your van in the woods, you’ll find connection, collaboration, and a shared drive to make a difference.

Job Overview (What This Role Is All About):

As the Senior Designer of Men’s Apparel, you’ll bring your deep expertise in men’s apparel design, a sharp creative point of view, and a passion for creating products that perform on the trail and stand out in the everyday. Reporting to the VP of Product Design you’ll own the design process from initial concept and sketch through the final tech pack, shaping cohesive seasonal collections that balance performance, style, sustainability, and Cotopaxi’s unmistakable personality.

You’ll help define seasonal design direction, translating consumer insights, cultural influences, materials, and emerging trends into innovative product concepts and compelling stories. Working closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, and Production, you’ll bring ideas to life while championing thoughtful details, material and construction innovation, and a high bar for craftsmanship. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful creative impact within a collaborative, fast-moving team while helping evolve what men’s apparel can look and feel like at Cotopaxi.

Job Responsibilities (How You’ll Make An Impact):

• Own the end-to-end design process for Men’s Apparel, from initial concept and sketching through final design, development, and tech pack delivery.
• Develop innovative, consumer-driven product concepts that reflect Cotopaxi’s brand aesthetic and balance performance, style, functionality, and personality.
• Bring a strong point of view and deep understanding of the men’s consumer to translate insights, trends, and cultural influences into relevant product solutions and compelling seasonal narratives.
• Build cohesive seasonal design platforms, including mood boards, color and material direction, fabric intent, trims, construction details, and visual storytelling tools.
• Lead design concepts within the Men’s Apparel category and contribute to broader seasonal brand design direction, including core, seasonal, and trend-focused initiatives.
• Create cohesive collections that work across the line and thoughtfully merchandise across categories, products, and seasons.
• Champion material, trim, construction, and product innovation, with a focus on new technologies and thoughtful approaches to performance and sustainability.
• Partner closely with Merchandising and PLM to translate the line plan into a clear and cohesive design vision and ensure product needs are reflected throughout the design process.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Development, Technical Design, Production, and other product partners to bring designs to life while maintaining creative intent and product integrity through final delivery.
• Present design concepts, seasonal direction, and product stories clearly and effectively to both creative and cross-functional audiences.
• Curate and maintain design lookbooks, presentations, and other merchandising and visual tools that bring seasonal stories and product concepts to life.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across teams and foster an environment where new ideas, creative thinking, and constructive feedback are encouraged.
• Support the Design Director and broader design team in evolving Cotopaxi’s creative vision and pushing the Men’s Apparel category forward.
• Manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, ensuring design milestones and deadlines are met in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to refine design processes, elevate product quality, and bring greater creativity and innovation to the work.
• Champion Cotopaxi’s commitment to sustainability by considering responsible materials, construction, longevity, and product impact throughout the design process.
• Stay current on relevant apparel, textile, technology, and consumer trends to continuously bring fresh inspiration and ideas to the product line.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed to support design, product development, and team collaboration.

The Ideal Candidate (What You’ll Bring to the Role):

• 7+ years professional experience designing apparel, accessories, or related soft goods, with significant experience in men’s apparel; performance, activewear, outdoor, or outerwear experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, or a related field preferred; or equivalent experience.
• Strong creative vision and a sharp eye for detail, with a refined understanding of proportion, color, materials, construction, and overall product aesthetic.
• Demonstrated ability to translate consumer insights, market trends, and creative inspiration into thoughtful, commercially relevant product concepts and cohesive seasonal collections.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills, with the ability to clearly communicate design concepts, product intent, and creative direction to a range of audiences.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with 3D design or modeling tools is a plus.
• Strong understanding of apparel design and development from concept through final production, including fit, sewn and non-sewn construction, manufacturing processes, materials, textiles, and garment technologies.
• Knowledge and curiosity around material, trim, construction, and manufacturing innovation, with an appreciation for how thoughtful design can improve product performance, functionality, durability, and sustainability.
• Proven ability to build strong, trusting relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners, including Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, and PLM.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively across cultures, functions, and geographic locations.
• Comfortable working independently while also actively contributing to a collaborative, feedback-driven creative team.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with sound judgment, flexibility, and diplomacy when navigating complex or evolving product challenges.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a remote-first environment and travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Passion for Cotopaxi’s mission and a genuine interest in creating products that bring together performance, style, purpose, and responsible design.

Job Benefits (Your Perks):

At Cotopaxi, we care deeply about our people. Our team is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to invest in their growth, well-being, and success. We prioritize fair wages, meaningful benefits, and an employee experience that supports balance, belonging, and purpose - inside and outside of work.

Here is a snapshot of the benefits we provide:

Health Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision benefits with HSA, FSA, and DCSA options.
• Company-paid basic life insurance with the option to purchase additional coverage.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary accident and critical illness insurance.
• Company-paid employee assistance program.

Wellness Benefits:

• Company-paid volunteer time.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Unlimited responsible PTO.
• In The Wild Time: Built-in time to recharge and give back, including Summer Fridays and Impact Days spent supporting our local communities.

Uniquely Us:

• Enjoy deep product discounts with 60% off Cotopaxi gear - perfect for living out your next adventure in style.
• Gear up for the outdoors with exclusive discounts from partner outdoor and lifestyle brands.
• Grow personally and professionally through thoughtfully curated learning and development opportunities.
• Stay connected and celebrate often with regular in-person and virtual events that bring our team together, no matter where you work.
• Be part of a vibrant, values-driven culture that champions people, innovation, and adventure in everything we do.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

We’re on a mission to Do Good - for people and the planet - and we know that starts with our team. Cotopaxi is proud to be a brand that celebrates every person for who they are and what they bring to the table. No matter your background, age, race, gender, ability, or faith - you belong here.

You don’t have to come from the outdoor industry to make an impact with us. We value curiosity, compassion, and the courage to collaborate openly. So tell us your story - how your journey has shaped you and how you’d like to help Cotopaxi Do Good. We can’t wait to meet you.

Cotopaxi participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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