Sr Product Technical Designer

At North Actionsports Group, we design gear that performs when it matters most — on the water, in demanding conditions, and in the hands of riders who expect nothing less than excellence. From world-class kites and foils to premium accessories, our products are built to push limits.

The Role in a Nutshell

At North Actionsports Group, we design gear that performs when it matters most — on the water, in demanding conditions, and in the hands of riders who expect nothing less than excellence. From world-class kites and foils to premium accessories, our products are built to push limits.

As Senior Product Technical Designer, you lead both the engineering and technical execution of hardgoods and the visual design of Kite, Foil, and Accessories products across North and Mystic. This is a hands-on, expert-level role for someone who thrives at the intersection of technical innovation, product construction, and visual storytelling. You’ll translate product vision into production-ready, premium designs while shaping the next generation of harnesses, foils, boards, kites, protection gear, travel equipment, and performance accessories.

Along the way, you’ll raise technical standards, mentor junior designers, and ensure that every product looks, feels, and performs like a North product.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Execution & Engineering Leadership

• Lead creation of detailed technical drawings, construction files, reinforcement maps, molded part documentation, and engineering specifications
• Own and refine BOMs, trim details, component libraries, technical specs, and measurement charts
• Translate product briefs into robust, manufacturable engineering solutions with minimal supervision
• Review, validate, and elevate technical work produced by junior designers

Prototype Development & Sample Management

• Lead prototype and sample rounds for all assigned Kite, Foil, and Accessories hardgoods
• Prepare and issue complete, factory-ready engineering files
• Evaluate samples for construction accuracy, stitching quality, hardware placement, molding consistency, assembly precision, and finishing
• Drive structured improvements across sample iterations

Testing & Performance Validation

• Plan and support load, durability, ergonomics, fit, impact, and field testing
• Analyze results and translate insights into tangible design and engineering improvements
• Collaborate with product teams, Technical Design Leads, and athletes/testers to validate performance, comfort, safety, and usability

Material & Component Integration

• Select and integrate advanced materials including EVA and foam systems, composites, molded plastics, webbings, hardware, reinforcements, laminates, and shell constructions
• Maintain and evolve component libraries including buckles, hooks, spreader bar components, harness parts, EVA pads, panels, and more
• Work with suppliers, Sourcing, and Quality teams to optimize performance, durability, manufacturability, and cost

Product Visual Identity & Graphics

• Define and lead seasonal visual direction across Kite, Foil, and Accessories products
• Create and evolve graphic systems, design languages, and signature visual elements
• Build seasonal frameworks including mood boards, themes, and visual narratives
• Ensure product visuals align with brand DNA and instantly feel like North products

Color & Trend Translation

• Own the annual color roadmap across brands and categories
• Turn trend insights into high-performance, commercially viable color palettes
• Balance innovation, recognizability, and production feasibility
• Ensure color and visual harmony across products, components, and materials

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Managers to align technical and visual solutions with briefs, timelines, costing, and launch goals
• Collaborate with Graphic Designers to integrate artworks, labels, prints, and branding into technical files
• Communicate with factories via Sourcing and Quality teams to resolve construction questions and ensure production feasibility
• Provide input during internal reviews and cross-functional meetings

Quality, Process & Mentorship

• Conduct detailed reviews of development and pre-production samples
• Identify construction, material, or visual issues and propose corrective actions
• Support factory evaluations and audits
• Help refine technical workflows, documentation standards, and engineering processes
• Mentor junior designers, sharing best practices and raising overall team standards

Materials, Print & Real-World Performance

• Apply deep knowledge of print techniques, material behavior, and performance constraints
• Collaborate with factories and suppliers on sampling and visual testing
• Solve challenges related to stretch, distortion, fading, and durability
• Review pre-production runs to ensure quality, visual clarity, and brand consistency on land and on water

Who You Are

• 5–7+ years experience in senior-level technical or product design roles in action sports, outdoor, or performance-driven products
• Expert in product construction, materials, composites, foams, hardware, and manufacturing processes
• Strong visual design skills with experience translating brand vision into product graphics and storytelling
• Comfortable leading complex developments from concept through production
• Detail-driven, structured, and uncompromising on quality
• Confident collaborating across disciplines without needing to be an engineer for visuals
• Passionate about action sports, watersports, and performance products
• Experience mentoring or guiding others is a strong plus

Your Stakeholders

Internal: Technical Design Lead, Art Director, Category Directors, Product Managers, Graphic Designers, Sourcing, Quality, and Product Development teams

External: Factories, suppliers, testing partners, and riders

Why Join North Actionsports Group

• Work on premium, performance-driven products used by riders worldwide
• Be part of a global action sports company active in over 70 countries
• Collaborate with passionate designers, engineers, athletes, and product teams
• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• Attractive staff discount on North and Mystic products
• Company lunch, gym, and wellness activities
• Annual staff outings and monthly Thursday drinks
• Plenty of room for ownership, innovation, and personal growth

Location

This is a Dutch-based role, or the candidate must be willing to permanently relocate to the Netherlands. This is not a remote role.

Ready to Shape the Future of North & Mystic Products?

Share your CV with the link to your portfolio and motivation letter with [email protected] by 10th February 2026.

Apply Here