Columbia Sportswear

Sr. Apparel Product Fit Engineer

Columbia Sportswear$90K — $110K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or relevant certification/experience
  • 5+ years of experience in patternmaking or garment engineering
  • 8+ years preferred in fit engineering/apparel development
  • Strong knowledge of garment construction and manufacturing processes
  • Familiar with PDM systems and measurement specification management

Responsibilities

  • Partner with multiple functions to optimize apparel engineering
  • Lead and oversee fit sessions for consistency across categories
  • Validate fit and comfort, communicate recommendations to partners
  • Establish and maintain fit standards and measurement parameters
  • Build and maintain measurement charts in PDM
  • Review and approve graded size specifications from factories
  • Develop tools and processes to improve efficiency in product workload

Benefits

  • Hybrid working model with a focus on onsite collaboration
  • Opportunity to engage with global partners and teams
  • Potential for process improvement initiatives
  • Exposure to a dynamic product development environment
  • Chance to influence fit standards and garment quality
Full Job Description
This position is designated as a hybrid role based out of our headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is for employees to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs. This in-office requirement may be adjusted at the discretion of the company.

The Sr. Apparel Product Fit Engineer contributes to the product development process by working closely with all functions within Product Creation to optimize garment fit and manufacturability. Remains true to the needs of the product and end user, while considering manufacturability of the product.   

HOW YOU'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

  • Partner closely with Merchandising, Design, Product Development, Materials Research, Quality Assurance, Development Centers, and global merchandising teams to deliver a seamless apparel engineering process.
  • Lead and participate in fit sessions, ensuring consistency across styles and categories throughout the product development lifecycle.
  • Validate product fit and comfort for the consumer, clearly communicating fit-related recommendations and solutions to both domestic and international partners.
  • Collaborate with Fit Engineering leadership to establish and maintain fit standards, measurement parameters, quality requirements, and construction specifications.
  • Build and maintain accurate measurement charts in PDM, ensuring fit, pattern, and specification details are documented throughout development.
  • Review and approve graded size specifications from factories and development centers.
  • Develop tools, systems, and processes that improve efficiency and accuracy while managing a high-volume product workload.
  • Partner with Product Developers to identify and communicate construction details that impact garment fit and performance.
  • Provide fit leadership during prototype evaluations, ensuring products meet design intent, merchandising objectives, fit standards, and quality expectations.
  • Recommend and implement process improvements that streamline fittings and accelerate product creation.

YOU ARE

  • A collaborative partner who builds strong relationships across functions and geographies.
  • Experience working with product development teams and cross-functional apparel creation partners.
  • A fit and apparel construction expert who understands how product decisions impact consumer experience.
  • An effective communicator who can explain technical fit and construction concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Strong data analysis, measurement interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with global partners.
  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
  • Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • A proactive problem solver who works independently while knowing when to seek alignment on complex issues.
  • Process-minded and innovative, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and product quality.
  • Influential without direct authority, able to build consensus and guide cross-functional teams toward decisions.
  • A trusted resource and mentor for teammates, sharing subject matter expertise and supporting team success.
  • Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy while contributing to broader business objectives.

YOU HAVE

  • Bachelor's degree, relevant certification, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 5+ years of professional experience, preferably in patternmaking, garment engineering, fit engineering, or apparel development.
  • 8+ years in fit engineering/apparel development preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of patternmaking, grading, garment construction, fit engineering, and apparel manufacturing processes.
  • Familiarity with PDM systems and measurement specification management.
  • Patternmaking and grading software skills preferred.
  • Experience supporting apparel development in Asia and/or large-scale factory environments is a plus.
  • Understanding of outdoor apparel consumers, retail channels, and industry trends preferred.

#LI-CR1

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company. 

About Columbia Sportswear

Columbia Sportswear Company is a leading innovator in the global outdoor apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment industry. The company designs, develops, markets and distributes active outdoor and lifestyle products under the Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Sorel, and prAna brands. Columbia Sportswear products are sold in more than 100 countries and have earned an international reputation for innovation, quality and performance. The company has a long-standing commitment to responsible sourcing, ethical business practices, and environmental stewardship.
Learn more about Columbia Sportswear
Size
8,325 employees
Market Cap
$5.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$108 million
Founded
1938
5 Year Trend
+5.6%
Revenue
$2.5 billion
NASDAQ

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