Senior Engineer, Apparel

Role Purpose

Independently lead the technical industrialization and production readiness of complex and high-risk apparel products through integrated physical and digital development. The role connects product engineering, vendor capability, risk management and data-based performance follow-up to improve right-first-time execution and support compressed Go-To-Market calendars. Build trusted functional partnerships within VF across pillars, with Brand and vendor teams, bringing strong technical judgment, constructive challenge and solution-oriented recommendations to enable better product decisions

Key Accountabilities

1. Product Engineering & Industrialization

• Lead product industrialization across development, innovation, collaboration and commercialization stages using physical and virtual sampling.
• Provide advanced technical expertise to resolve complex fit, pattern, construction, raw-material, manufacturing and product-performance issues.
• Partner with Brand Development, Sourcing Development and vendors to engineer products that meet safety, fit, function, performance, quality, cost and manufacturability requirements.
• Own development-to-production handover for assigned complex and high-risk styles, ensuring technical specifications are complete, production readiness is confirmed and critical risks are resolved and communicated.
• Partner with brands on complex construction, sizing, grading and block initiatives, balancing design intent with consumer experience and production feasibility.

1. Integrated Physical & Digital Sample Execution

• Review and validate physical and digital samples across Proto, SMS, POC, PPS, Counter and Size Set stages, providing clear, actionable technical comments in the relevant forms and systems.
• Review digital production creation outputs to confirm alignment with approved product intent, construction, pattern, fit, workmanship and production requirements before downstream use.
• Ensure physical and digital sample decisions are connected through one integrated process, with consistent risk identification, issue closure, approval logic and production handover.
• Manage vendor performance for both physical and digital samples, using quality, accuracy, timeliness, right-first-time execution and recurring-issue data to drive corrective actions and capability improvement.
• Independently manage local pre-production and re-allocation sample approvals within delegated authority, escalating significant exceptions or risks when required.

1. Risk, Testing & Production Readiness

• Lead technical risk assessment and product-risk allocation in line with RBM guidance, applying heightened focus to high-risk styles.
• Participate in Tech Pack handover meetings and lead technical readiness during Risk Analysis handoff from development to production.
• Own Tech Pack discrepancy resolution for assigned products, update minor and intermediate discrepancies where authorized and address recurring issues with brand partners.
• Manage applicable product testing, including rain-room, Futurelight, Gore-Tex, GB and other required testing, and drive timely resolution of failures.
• Attend Pre-Production (where required) and PRM (All) meetings and provide clear technical recommendations and decisions; escalate systemic, ambiguous or material business risks.

1. SMV / YY Exception Validation Support

• Provide technical support for SMV and YY exception validation, particularly where product complexity, construction method, pattern engineering, manufacturing sequence or material behavior requires Apparel Engineering input.
• Partner with the relevant SMV / YY specialists and vendors to verify exception rationale, supporting evidence and product assumptions, and identify risks or follow-up actions before final decision.
• Use technical findings from exceptions to strengthen standards, improve data accuracy and reduce repeat variances or avoidable cost and calendar impact.

1. Development Trip Effectiveness

• Lead preparation, onsite technical execution and follow-up for Brand Development, Collaboration, CKO, Innovation and Fit Training trips.
• Increase development-trip efficiency by using digital product creation and virtual sample review to pre-align product intent, identify risks and focus onsite time on decisions that require physical validation or factory engagement.
• Combine physical and digital evidence during trips to accelerate issue resolution, reduce duplicate sample iterations and close actions with clear ownership and timing.
• Capture trip outcomes, unresolved risks and lessons learned in the appropriate systems to enable continuity after the trip and support compressed GTM calendars.

1. Vendor Capability & Performance Management

• Support onboarding of new vendors and brands, assess technical readiness and lead focused capability-building for existing vendors.
• Drive vendor technical capability through training, sample-room assessment, TVCP module development, TVCP / CFT calibration, RBM training and ongoing correlation.
• Use product, issue and vendor-performance data across physical and digital workflows to identify recurring technical gaps, prioritize interventions and monitor improvement actions.
• Travel frequently to factories to maintain hands-on technical engagement and strengthen vendor execution.

1. Standards, Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with brands on construction toolboxes, construction manuals, SOPs and continuous improvement of technical standards.
• Lead assigned cross-functional projects or workstreams and deliver outcomes against development and Go-To-Market milestones.
• Drive VF Way standardization, innovation, cross-region calibration, knowledge sharing and consistent ways of working.
• Mentor and coach Apparel Engineers through technical guidance, calibration and knowledge transfer without direct people-management responsibility.

Core Competencies

• Growth mindset, strong learning agility and ownership of results.
• Solution-oriented and process-driven, with sound judgment, attention to detail and urgency.
• Ability to influence complex internal and external stakeholders without formal authority.
• Clear written and verbal communication, active listening and constructive problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently, navigate ambiguity, prioritize risk and escalate appropriately.
• Curiosity and courage to seek and provide feedback and improve ways of working.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of apparel product development from concept through production and commercialization.
• Proficient in flat pattern and draping, apparel sizing, grading, live-model fitting and body-form fitting.
• Working knowledge of computerized pattern systems such as Gerber, PLM such as Flex, 3D tools such as Browzwear, and Adobe Illustrator.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction and engineering, raw-material properties, wet processing, garment testing and manufacturing methods.
• Ability to interpret design intent and recommend alternatives that balance fit, quality, performance, cost and manufacturability.
• Working knowledge of risk management, root-cause analysis, corrective action, SMV / YY exception validation, digital sample review and vendor capability improvement.
• Ability to use technical, sample and vendor-performance data to identify trends, prioritize actions and communicate recommendations.

Experience & Language

• 7+ years of relevant experience in apparel engineering, technical development, product development or a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex or high-risk apparel products from development through production readiness.
• Demonstrated experience with physical and digital sample review and cross-functional product decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience coaching peers or junior engineers, leading technical projects or influencing vendor capability without formal authority.
• English and relevant local language.

Role Scope & Decision Authority

• Senior Individual Contributor with technical leadership responsibility and no direct people-management accountability.
• Independently manages complex and high-risk apparel products and makes technical decisions within delegated authority across development, sample approval and production readiness.
• Acts as an escalation point and senior technical resource for Apparel Engineers, brands, vendors and cross-functional partners, providing guidance on complex, ambiguous or material technical issues.
• Leads assigned technical projects, workstreams, vendor capability initiatives and process improvements, influencing outcomes without formal authority.
• Provides Apparel Engineering input to SMV / YY exception validation; final exception decisions remain with the designated SMV / YY governance or accountable business owner.
• Escalates decisions with significant consumer, compliance, quality, cost, calendar or enterprise impact to the Manager or Senior Manager, Apparel Engineering. Extensive stakeholder network globally – internal and external.
• Mentors and coaches Apparel Engineers through technical guidance, calibration and knowledge transfer, but does not hold formal team-performance accountability.

R-20261103-0024