Company Mission:

OROS believes in giant leaps. We took a space-age approach to an age-old problem: How do we stay warm in the elements? Rather than improving on goose down, we created something new that offered more warmth with less bulk.

We learned giant leaps are made up of small steps and developed an R&D program that is unmatched in the industry. We seek to make better cold-weather gear through NASA accredited know-how.

Our Aim is to elevate the kinds of experiences that help you rethink the realm of possibility, one small step at a time. Small steps for giant leaps.

Find Your Beyond.

Founding Story:

In talking about OROS and its origins, a quick synopsis of the Founders’ (Rithvik Venna & Michael Markesbery) Story is a great place to start. During his sophomore year at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio), Michael Markesbery backpacked across Europe where he summited the tallest mountain in the Northeast Swiss Alps, bundled in layers and looking like the Michelin Man. He thought, “There has to be a way to cut the bulk and layers, and still stay warm.”

Back in college, Michael was a science geek and pre-med. He was conducting research on a potential therapeutic treatment for Diabetes, and through his work, co-authored several papers. Those papers led to Michael receiving the Astronaut Scholarship, the largest monetary award given in the US to STEM college students. Through the Scholarship, Michael learned about aerogel, this material that NASA used to insulate the Mars Rovers in space. It was the best insulation in the universe, and a perfect solution to the “Michelin Man” situation he had several months prior. He pitched the idea to his friend Rithvik “Rith” Venna of “taking NASA insulation, aerogel, and putting it into apparel so you could actually wear thin gear and stay incredibly warm”. Rithvik was in, and that was the start of OROS in 2013.

What started as an idea on a napkin between two college students is now today of a fast-growing, digitally native performance apparel brand with over $7 million in venture backing from some of the leading venture capital firms in the United States.

OROS is founded on a premise of innovation, and continues to develop its technology in order to address consumer’s needs. OROS’ vision is to completely change the way consumers view and wear outerwear, and is actively working on that vision. OROS has collaborative R&D partnerships with leading institutions such as NASA and the US Military.

While OROS sells apparel, it is truly in the possibilities business. It was founded on the idea of What Could Be, and lives by its mantra “What limits?” OROS seeks to help others do the same by providing the most innovative apparel and the inspiration to get out and use it.

For More on OROS’ History, please browse the following press—

• Forbes: How OROS Used Space Technology to Create the Warmest Jacket on Earth

• Sourcing Journal: OROS raises $5mm to Make the Warmest, Lightest Jackets Around

The Product:

OROS was built on a foundation of innovation. Forbes called OROS “where science meets the apparel market” and “A revolution in staying fashionably warm”. This innovation starts in OROS’ technology and product, and affects every consumer who buys into the OROS Brand.

The product story at OROS is centered around its proprietary insulation technology called Solarcore.  Not only does Solarcore define the primary value proposition for each product, it is the key component that the architecture of the product collection and each individual product is built around.  This philosophy creates unique design challenges but also provides opportunities to redefine the versatility of apparel for the modern consumer.

OROS product is the manifestation of the brand and technology, which are constantly evolving from its earliest start-up roots.  This shows in the never ending process to make the most technically advanced product that meets the OROS’ consumers needs.  With fewer new styles introduced each season than almost all apparel brands, it allows for thoughtful consideration and refinement of the details, plus meaningful integration between product creation and marketing.

Every few design cycles new Solarcore technologies are being introduced per our technology road map.  This creates endless opportunities for product creation and story-telling.

The Culture:

At OROS we “science the shit out of everything we do.” Why? Because at our core, we believe that science moves the world forward. We’re here to create giant leaps, and we understand that those leaps are made with small steps. Steps we take together, as a team, to support each other as we rethink the realm of possibility. Our collective values reflect that:

• Be agile: The ability to quickly change and thrive in unexpected conditions.
• Be Conscious:A measured approach behind every decision to build a brand that responsibly serves both our consumers and our teams.
• Constantly Innovate:The drive to push the leading edge and create the industry norms as we learn and discover new technologies. Embrace the future.
• Have Grit & Commit:Have the motivation and stamina to continue to chase a larger vision.
• Take the Moonshot:The passion to go where no one has been, and the confidence to get there.

These values are the common thread between every OROS team member and they ultimately provide the foundation for our success.

Is OROS for you? It is not for everyone. People don’t work at OROS to play it safe. They come to swim in the deep end. They want their work to add up to something. Something big. Something that couldn’t happen anywhere else.

The Opportunity:

Title:               Product Developer

Reports to:      CTO & VP of Product

Become part of a small, highly collaborative and dynamic product creative team within an entrepreneurial and rapidly growing brand.  We prioritize bringing new product concepts to market year after year utilizing our proprietary SOLARCORE® technologies based on NASA inspired aerogels. As a direct to consumer brand our efforts include both seasonal and off-calendar projects not restrained by traditional wholesale calendars.  Oros believes in creating its own marketplace by designing and developing disruptive and relevant products in performance apparel. Aptitude, adaptability and integrity and highly valued in our team.

This position has three primary functions. First is to manage the product development process for the assigned styles from design hand-off to commercialization.  Middle management does not exist in our organization so accountability and self-autonomy within the team’s direction are paramount.  Second is to execute various workstreams including specification management, prototype development and some sourcing activities to ensure design intent and product integrity are fulfilled. The last is to bring your special skill-set to the team in a collaborative effort to advance the state of performance apparel. 

The ideal candidate has education and progressive experience as a technical designer or product developer in a fast paced and collaborative team environment.  A balance of technical capabilities with a collaborative spirit, and a high level of ambition and aptitude to continually learn and bring new experiences to the team are the status quo.  OROS values the maker mentality, knowing that disrupting the industry is not a linear path.

Key Responsibilities

• Seasonal management of product development process from design hand-off to prototype development with factory(s), sales/ photo sample management, commercialization and production specifications
• Collaborate with Product Management and Design on product briefs, material & construction concepts, competitor analysis, merchandising and marketing collateral
• Provide functional expertise to the team in product specifications including PLM, product costing, materials development & sourcing, and fit systems
• Clear and effective communications both visually and verbally with all factory partners and material suppliers
• Continual improvement of the product development process, tools and interactions with our supply chain partners to ensure the highest product integrity
• Work collaboratively with R&D, Operations, Marketing or other OROS teams on projects or defined scope of work as needed that match your skills and expertise
• Partner with others within the company to drive innovation, creative thought, collaboration and generally enhance the creative and technical capability throughout OROS
• Bring your expertise and leadership to the company in one of your core competencies such as garment construction, pattern making & fit systems, prototyping or sewing / bonding