Designer - Apparel & Accessories

Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT FILSON

In 1897 C.C. Filson began outfitting prospectors headed for the Gold Rush with tools and apparel strong enough for the toughest spots on earth. More than 100 years later, Filson remains committed to providing pioneers of all fields around the world with unfailing goods made from the highest quality materials available. Filson recognizes that it takes a world-class team to make a world-class product. As we build on the Filson legacy of American craftsmanship, we are looking for individuals who share our dedication to innovation, excellence, and superior customer service. We don't work in silos but rely on open collaboration. It's a jackknife mentality – the ability to accomplish more than what's asked of you – that defines our culture of versatility and perseverance.

Our outfitter mindset is deliberate and strategic. We are a small company, on purpose. We're the ones doing the work, from product design and marketing, to cutting, sewing, and restoration. With more than 125 years under our belt, we still have a start-up mentality. Driven by an independent spirit and an uncompromising attitude that demands we lead with conviction. Founded in 1897, Filson builds uncompromising products for people who demand authenticity, durability, and purpose. We are a heritage brand—not frozen in time—but continuously evolving through modern design, materials, and technology.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly creative, technically fluent Designer to support and drive design across apparel, luggage, bags, and accessories. This role blends deep respect for heritage with a modern, AI-enabled design process—supporting cross-functional teams with fast, expressive visual storytelling and disciplined, production-ready execution.

This designer understands design history, manufacturing reality, and modern tools—and can move fluidly between all three.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop apparel, bags, luggage, and accessories from concept through production
• Use AI tools fluently to generate, iterate, and refine design concepts, illustrations, and visual narratives
• Support cross-functional categories with AI-driven sketches, renderings, and concept visuals to accelerate alignment and decision-making
• Manage styles within PLM, including creation and ongoing updates of tech packs, BOMs, measurements, and construction details
• Partner closely with Product Development to ensure designs are executable—supporting PD with informed decisions around washes, finishes, materials, and construction techniques
• Demonstrate strong understanding of garment and soft goods construction, including stitch types, seam finishes, reinforcements, and durability requirements
• Confidently toggle between performance-driven materials (technical synthetics, coatings, laminations) and classic heritage materials (natural fibers, waxed fabrics, leathers, twills, wools)
• Drive research & development in bags, luggage, and accessories—materials, hardware, finishes, and functional innovation
• Speak fluent "factory talk"—able to collaborate directly with manufacturers and problem-solve within real production constraints
• Design with sensitivity to manufacturing parameters, lead times, efficiency, and quality standards
• Maintain awareness of cost and margin targets, balancing product integrity with commercial viability
• Approach design with a franchise mindset, building cohesive product families that scale across seasons and categories
• Stay deeply engaged in the market, fashion history, and cultural context—translating insights into relevant, durable product
• Modernize Filson's heritage with thoughtful, restrained, and functional design solutions

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of design experience in apparel and/or accessories (bags and luggage experience strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated proficiency with AI tools for ideation, illustration, and concept development
• Strong technical foundation in materials, washes, finishes, and construction
• Deep knowledge of fabric development, silhouettes, and form informed by fashion and design history (both apparel and bags)
• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite, with strength in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
• Experience managing styles and workflows within PLM systems
• Proven ability to work within manufacturing, cost, and margin constraints
• Strong visual storytelling and communication skills
• Collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented
• Passion for heritage brands, outdoor culture, and product with purpose
• Capable at hand renderings for quick concept reviews

What Success Looks Like

• Concepts are inspiring but grounded- designed to be made, not just admired
• Product Development and factories trust the designer's fluency and clarity
• Design intent survives the journey from sketch to factory floor
• Bags, luggage, and accessories show clear evolution in function, quality, and relevance
• Filson's heritage feels modern, disciplined, and credible—not nostalgic

Note: This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive. Employee may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Filson and Shinola are equal opportunity employers. We believe that every employee has the right to work in surroundings which are free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is our policy that all decisions involving any aspect of the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran and military status, genetic information, political ideology or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated.

With regard to applicants or employees with disabilities, the company offers what the law refers to as "reasonable accommodation" to enable a person to perform his or her job.

Salary range:

$95,000—$128,000 USD