Materials Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Description

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.

Job Description

As a Senior Material Developer, your advanced raw material expertise will help bring Vuori designs to life. You will drive impact by developing trend driven, industry-leading fabrics that set Vuori apart in the performance and lifestyle apparel space. In this role, you will support material strategies across categories, balancing creativity with technical execution to deliver fabrics that embody Vuori's aesthetic, performance standards, and sustainability goals. You are a key link between design, merchandising, development, sustainability, and global suppliers. Your ability to manage complex projects, mentor team members, and build strong vendor relationships will ensure the development of high-quality, on-time, and cost-efficient materials.

What you'll get to do: 

• Lead research, development and commercialization of new materials across natural and synthetic fibers to support seasonal and long lead product strategies
• Partner with cross-functional teams, Design, Merchandising, Development, Color Development, Sustainability etc. to deliver materials that align with brand cost targets, seasonal timelines and sustainability goals.
• Translate creative briefs into material briefs, guiding Designers with your technical expertise and knowledge of mill capabilities, sourcing strategies and regional insights as well as technical testing guidance
• Build and maintain strong relationships with global mills and suppliers; drive the development of exclusive, brand-right fabrics with a focus on soft tactile sensibility, sustainability, functionality and quality
• Issue and analyze material testing to ensure quality, performance and global compliance standards are met (ASTM, AATCC, ISO)
• Manage, organize, and validate material properties and specification data within PLM systems, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for cross-functional partners.
• Manage development timelines and communicate daily with global suppliers to ensure on-time development and accurate execution of materials
• Mentor and guide junior material developers, fostering knowledge-sharing and building technical strength within the team
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements across development workflows and enforce existing Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline and enhance operational efficiency
• Lead projects that enhance Vuori's product assortment by collaborating with internal partners and suppliers to drive innovation and differentiation within the marketplace

Qualifications

Who you are:

• Bachelor's degree in Textiles Science, Materials Engineering, Product Development or equivalent years of experience preferred
• 7+ years of fabric development experience is required and/or product development experience
• Extensive expertise in textile construction and development, including deep knowledge of knits, wovens, yarns, dyeing processes, finishing techniques across both performance and lifestyle applications
• Advanced knowledge of global textile testing standards (ASTM, AATCC, ISO) with proven experience applying these protocols to ensure material performance, durability and compliance across both performance and lifestyle apparel categories
• Proven ability to work independently with strong organizational skills and attention to detail, thriving in fast-paced environments while managing multiple priorities effectively
• Eye for fashion, trend, and material aesthetics, with a deep understanding of key competitors and a passion for curating elevated, brand-defining textile solutions that resonate with the Vuori customer
• Excellent communication skills with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, enabling effective cross-functional collaboration and clear supplier engagement
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and providing technical guidance to junior material developers, fostering skill growth, team collaboration and a culture of continuous learning
• Experience working in PLM systems and data management tools is preferred; Strong ability to maintain material accuracy, streamline workflows and support cross functional transparency throughout the development lifecycle; Familiarity with PLM platforms Centric is a bonus
• You empower yourself to approach life and work with positivity, purpose and intention. Keeping it light and having fun along the way.
• International travel experience is a plus; possible international travel required
• Willing and able to work additional hours when needed.
• Bend, lift, open and move product and related office items vary in weight from 1 to 25lbs, depending on need.

Additional Information

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 $109,000 per year - $140,175 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.