Performance Apparel Product Developer / Textile & Materials Expert — Compression & Base Layers

Looking for an experienced performance apparel product developer / textile and materials specialist to help develop the next generation of our compression and base-layer products. Our goal is to build a best-in-class, compression platform across tops and bottoms, with a major focus on material performance, fit, comfort, stretch/recovery, and durability. This is NOT primarily a graphic design, fashion design, or basic tech-pack project. We are specifically looking for someone with deep technical knowledge of performance fabrics and compression garment development who can help us make a meaningfully better product. What We're Developing We currently sell multiple compression and base-layer products and are developing an updated platform for future products, including: Compression tops Compression base layers Compression shorts/bottoms Sleeveless compression Training compression We already have existing products, samples, manufacturers, and customer feedback. We're looking for an expert who can help us take the next step in product performance. Our target is a compression fabric that feels premium and extremely comfortable against the skin while still performing at a high level for Sports. Key priorities include: Excellent stretch and recovery / "snapback" Shape retention Premium, smooth handfeel Lightweight without feeling thin or cheap Moisture management and breathability Durability through repeated wear and washing Appropriate compression without feeling overly restrictive Strong opacity when stretched Performance in hot-weather training and games What We Need Help With We are looking for someone who can: Evaluate our current garments, fabrics, and samples Recommend ideal fiber compositions, yarns, knit structures, GSM ranges, finishes, and construction methods Help establish measurable material performance standards Improve stretch, recovery, compression, handfeel, moisture management, and durability Evaluate garment construction, seam placement, fit, mobility, and pattern considerations Work with our existing manufacturer/fabric mill during sampling Review and provide technical feedback on new samples Establish appropriate fabric and garment testing protocols Help conduct and evaluate athlete wear testing Create clear technical specifications that can be replicated consistently in bulk production Ideally help develop a material platform that can eventually be utilized across multiple compression tops and bottoms We aren't simply looking for someone to recommend a fabric composition. We want someone who understands why a performance fabric behaves the way it does and how to engineer toward a specific performance outcome. Ideal Background We're especially interested in candidates with experience in: Performance sportswear Compression garments Base layers Football, running, training, or other high-performance athletic apparel Nylon/polyester/elastane technical knits Textile development Fabric mills and suppliers Stretch and recovery testing Moisture-management testing Pattern/fit development for athletic garments Product wear testing Commercializing performance apparel from prototype through bulk production Experience working for or with major performance brands is a strong plus. Application Requirement Please do not send a generic application. In your proposal, please answer these three questions: 1. Tell us about one technical performance-apparel product you personally helped develop. What was the product and what was your specific role? 2. What material/fabric challenges were you trying to solve, and what changes did you make to solve them? 3. How did you objectively evaluate whether the new fabric or garment performed better than the previous version? Please also include examples of relevant performance apparel you've worked on and describe your experience working directly with fabric mills and/or apparel manufacturers. Project Structure We would initially like to begin with a paid consultation and product/material audit. If there is a strong fit, we're interested in continuing through the complete development process: Existing Product Audit → Material Development → Sampling → Fit & Wear Testing → Refinement → Production Specification This has the potential to become an ongoing relationship as we expand our compression/base-layer product line. We're looking for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong product instincts and is excited about helping us build a best-in-class football compression platform.