The posting
Role: Costing Engineer
Team: Production & Sourcing
Scope: Individual Contributor, P4
Years of Experience: 8+
Location: Ventura, CA, Hybrid
Role Summary
As a Costing Engineer at Patagonia, you will help ensure our products are costed accurately, transparently, and responsibly across the supply chain. Working in close partnership with our suppliers and internal teams, you will develop detailed, bottom‑up costing models leveraging Coats GSD software that support delivery, margin, and quality goals.
You will collaborate directly with Patagonia’s source base to identify and implement efficiency improvements related to Standard Minute Values (SMVs), yields, and material usage, while ensuring manufacturing methods align with our standards for quality, compliance, and responsible production. This role partners with Production Managers, Product Developers and suppliers to support seasonal margin targets through fact‑based costing and open, collaborative cost discussions.
This position requires strong technical expertise, analytical rigor, and sound judgment, balancing cost optimization with Patagonia’s social and environmental commitments. Your work plays a meaningful role in enabling responsible sourcing and production solutions that help us build better products and Save Our Home Planet.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the implementation of Coats GSD and build clear standards that ensure costing data is accurate, repeatable, and transparent across internal systems and our supplier base.
- Benchmark and develop a deep understanding of labor rate structures by product category, geography, and suppliers to ensure fair and accurate costing and maintain Factory Labor Rate database.
- Establish and implement consistent costing standards across SMV, fabric and trim usage, yields, and labor rates, overhead, wastage across the sourcing base.
- Develop clear, detailed operation breakdowns for styles and prototypes using the GSD software and establish accurate and reliable SMVs calculations.
- Partner closely with Product Development and Design on prototype costing, early feasibility assessments, and engineering‑to‑cost opportunities that protect quality and enable cost‑effective, scalable manufacturing solutions.
- Analyze cost sheets at key GTM milestones and provide fact‑based recommendations and margin improvement plans for the season.
- Serve as a trusted costing resource to Sourcing, Production, and Product Development teams to validate cost components and support vendor negotiations.
- Support factory negotiations and cost-alignment discussions that strengthen long‑term partnerships while achieving fair, responsible, and competitive pricing outcomes.
- Educate and align cross‑functional partners on fact‑based costing principles through working sessions, workshops, and presentations.
- Travel to supplier facilities to support cost validations, training, benchmarking, and regular calibrations.
Who You Are
- Strategic: Able to assess the big picture, prioritize effectively, and drive meaningful outcomes.
- Action‑Oriented: Proactive, accountable, and committed to follow‑through.
- Adaptable: Comfortable navigating change and evolving priorities.
- Inclusive: A collaborative team player who values diverse perspectives.
- Integrity‑Driven: Operates with honesty, accountability, and a commitment to quality and company values.
- Passionate: About sourcing, production, and Patagonia’s environmental mission.
Experience You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or related field.
- Certificate of General Sewing Data (GSD) and relevant knowledge in SAM (Standard Allowed Minutes) / SMV (Standard Minute Value) analysis.
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and garment costing,
- Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship‑management skills.
- Hands‑on experience with Gerber, Lectra, and cutting processes a plus.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PLM systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly define problems and articulate solutions.
- Comfortable working in a team‑based environment with flexibility across priorities.
- Working knowledge of the Company’s products and manufacturing processes.
Hiring range: $135,000 - $155,000 USD Annual
At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys. Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including skills/capabilities, experience, and available budget.
Benefits
Patagonia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment.
Workplace Location Overview
This position is Hybrid, with a standard schedule of Tuesday - Thursday on-site and remote work on other days. Occasional additional office visits may be required for team events or critical meetings.
Employee Conduct It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.
