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Senior Knitting Designer Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Senior Knitting Designer information

What is a senior knitting designer?

Senior Knitting Designers are experienced professionals who create and develop original knitting patterns, designs, and samples for apparel, accessories, and home goods. They lead and oversee the design process, from conceptualization to final production, often collaborating with other designers, technical teams, and manufacturers. Their responsibilities include trend research, material selection, pattern drafting, and ensuring the feasibility and quality of designs. Senior Knitting Designers also mentor junior staff and contribute to the creative direction of a brand or company.

How does a senior knitting designer typically collaborate with technical teams to bring designs from concept to production?

As a Senior Knitting Designer, collaboration with technical teams—such as pattern makers, sample developers, and production managers—is essential to ensure that creative concepts are both aesthetically pleasing and manufacturable. Designers communicate specifications, provide detailed sketches, and often participate in prototype reviews to resolve technical challenges. Throughout the process, they must balance design vision with material constraints and manufacturing capabilities, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills. This teamwork ensures that the final products meet both creative and quality standards while adhering to production timelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior knitting designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Knitting Designer, you need advanced expertise in textile design, yarn selection, and pattern drafting, typically supported by a degree in fashion or textile design and several years of industry experience. Proficiency with design software like Adobe Illustrator, CAD systems for textile design, and technical knitting machines is crucial. Strong creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with teams and bringing innovative concepts to life. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality, marketable knitwear collections and seamless coordination from concept through production.

What is the difference between Senior Knitting Designer vs Knitting Pattern Developer?

AspectSenior Knitting DesignerKnitting Pattern Developer
CredentialsDesign experience, portfolio, possibly fashion or textile certificationsPattern creation skills, knitting knowledge, technical proficiency
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, fashion houses, apparel companiesDesign studios, freelance, online platforms
Industry UsageFashion, apparel, home textilesPublishing, online pattern sales, independent designers

The main difference is that a Senior Knitting Designer oversees the creative process and develops innovative knitting designs within a company, while a Knitting Pattern Developer focuses on creating detailed, technical knitting patterns for publication or sale. Both roles require knitting expertise, but the Senior Knitting Designer typically has broader responsibilities in design direction and team collaboration.

Is knitwear design a good career?

Knitwear design is a specialized field within fashion and textile industries, involving creating patterns and selecting materials for knitted garments. It requires creativity, technical skills, and knowledge of knitting techniques and tools. The career can offer opportunities in fashion houses, manufacturing, or freelance work, with job stability depending on industry demand and individual skill level.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Knitting Designer jobs in Oregon?

For Senior Knitting Designer jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Oregon are hiring for Senior Knitting Designer jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Senior Knitting Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Knitting Designer job openings in Oregon as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 2% Internship, 20% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 55% Temporary, and 15% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Hybrid job distribution.

Lead Designer, Accessories Product Design, Socks

Nike

Beaverton, OR • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Nike rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 276 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 105 rated fashion retailers


Job description

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for a Lead Designer for Socks and Engineered Knits within Accessories to drive innovative, industry-leading product design. This role requires a strong balance of creative vision and technical expertise, with deep knowledge of engineered knits and the ability to solve problems from concept through production. You can translate complex ideas into clear design direction, communicate effectively across teams, and bring a strong passion for sport, culture, and design. If you thrive in a collaborative environment, take initiative, and consistently push for better solutions, we'd like to hear from you.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
As a Lead Designer for Socks within Accessories Design, you will create performance-driven products that meet the needs of athletes across sport and lifestyle. You will apply your expertise in knitting techniques, yarns, and material performance to develop innovative solutions rooted in athlete insights. This is a hands-on role that demands attention to detail and a commitment to delivering best-in-class fit, comfort, durability, and functionality.
WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH
You will partner closely with the Sr. Manager of Sock Product Design and Accessories Design Directors to shape the future of Performance and Lifestyle Sock design. Working across design, development, product management, costing, and engineering, you will lead concepts from brief to market while ensuring design intent, product feasibility and timelines remain aligned. You will regularly present design concepts to internal and external partners and are expected to foster collaboration, contribute to team growth, and mentor others.
TO BE CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT A CREATIVE DESIGN PORTFOLIO. PLEASE PROVIDE WEBSITE LINKS OR ATTACH A PDF FILE WHEN YOU APPLY.
WHAT YOU BRING
  • 5-7 years' experience designing and developing innovative products
  • Bachelor's Degree in Product Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
  • Previous engineered knit or sock experience required
  • Must be advanced in Adobe Creative Suite, Illustrator, and Keynote
  • 3D design program experience a plus
  • Active and proficient participant in collaboration, the creative process and cross-functional communication You Ask Clarifying Questions and Adapt.
  • Significant engagement with external partners
  • Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
  • Must be able to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project
  • Manage multiple projects at various stages of the design from concept to production
  • Advanced design skills such as: drawing/sketching, ideation, use of texture, spacing and scale, visual presentation development and layout
  • Proven experience designing socks or knit-based products with a focus on performance.
  • Deep knowledge of knitting techniques, structures, and yarns (performance fibers, blends, cushioning).

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

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