Retail Experience Design Specialist I

About the job

At WHOOP, we're on a mission to unlock and inspire performance for life. WHOOP empowers members to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies and daily lives.

WHOOP is seeking a Retail Experience Design Specialist I to help bring the WHOOP brand and product experience to life across physical retail environments. As a member of the Retail team, you will support the design and development of engaging, functional, and distinctly WHOOP spaces that introduce consumers to our products and create memorable brand experiences.

In this role, you will apply your architectural training and design skills to help translate creative concepts into thoughtful physical environments. You will work cross-functionally with Retail, Brand, Creative, Operations, and other partners throughout the design process—from early concepts and spatial planning through design development, documentation, production, and installation.

The ideal candidate is a recent Master of Architecture graduate with strong spatial and visual design skills, a high level of attention to detail, and an interest in applying an architectural design background to retail and experiential environments. You are curious, collaborative, comfortable working through ambiguity, and excited to develop your craft in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the design and development of WHOOP retail environments, including stores, shop-in-shops, pop-ups, fixtures, displays, merchandising elements, signage, and other physical brand touchpoints.

• Translate WHOOP brand principles and creative concepts into compelling spatial experiences that balance aesthetics, functionality, product storytelling, and the customer journey.

• Develop architectural and spatial design concepts through sketches, plans, elevations, 3D models, renderings, material studies, and presentations.

• Support space planning and layout development, considering customer flow, product interaction, merchandising, accessibility, and operational requirements.

• Create and maintain design documentation that clearly communicates design intent to internal stakeholders, vendors, fabricators, and other external partners.

• Partner with cross-functional teams across Retail, Brand, Creative, and Operations to understand project requirements and translate business and customer needs into physical design solutions.

• Participate throughout the design process, from early concept development and design iteration through production, installation, and launch.

• Assist in the research and selection of materials, finishes, furniture, fixtures, lighting, signage, and other environmental elements appropriate for WHOOP retail experiences.

• Support prototype development and design reviews, incorporating feedback and helping refine solutions based on feasibility, cost, schedule, and customer experience.

• Collaborate with vendors, fabricators, and external partners to communicate design requirements, review samples and prototypes, and help ensure final executions align with design intent and WHOOP quality standards.

• Help develop and maintain retail design standards, guidelines, templates, and documentation that create a consistent WHOOP experience across different locations and formats.

• Stay informed on trends and innovations across architecture, retail, experiential design, materials, fabrication, and consumer environments, bringing relevant ideas and inspiration back to the team.

• Manage multiple projects and design deliverables simultaneously while maintaining a high level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.

• Travel up to 10% domestically and internationally to support site visits, installations, retail openings, vendors, and project partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree or BArch (Professional) required.

• 0–2 years of professional, internship, or relevant project experience in architecture, retail design, experiential design, environmental design, or a related discipline.

• Portfolio demonstrating strong architectural and design thinking, spatial problem-solving, visual communication, and an ability to translate concepts into compelling physical environments.

• Strong understanding of architectural design fundamentals, including space planning, scale, proportion, circulation, materials, and detailing.

• Proficiency with architectural design and 3D modeling, including Rhino; visualization tools, including KeyShot and Enscape; and presentation tools, including Figma. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop.

• Ability to develop and communicate ideas through sketches, plans, elevations, diagrams, 3D models, renderings, and presentations.

• Strong visual sensibility and understanding of how materials, color, lighting, graphics, product, and architecture work together to create a cohesive physical experience.

• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to produce accurate, thoughtful, and high-quality design work.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate design ideas and rationale to a variety of audiences.

• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across creative, operational, and technical teams and incorporate feedback into the design process.

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to balance multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.

• Self-motivated, curious, and comfortable learning quickly and operating in a fast-paced environment.

• Passion for architecture, retail and experiential design, consumer experiences, and the intersection of physical space, technology, fitness, and wellness.

• Strong commitment to embracing and leveraging AI tools in day-to-day tasks, ensuring AI-assisted work aligns with the same high-quality standards as personal contributions.

This role is based in the WHOOP office located in Boston, MA. The successful candidate must be prepared to relocate if necessary to work out of the Boston, MA office.

Interested in the role, but don’t meet every qualification? We encourage you to still apply! At WHOOP, we believe there is much more to a candidate than what is written on paper, and we value character as much as experience. As we continue to build a diverse and inclusive environment, we encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply.

WHOOP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-verify https://www.e-verify.gov/ to determine employment eligibility. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The WHOOP compensation philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain exceptional talent by offering competitive base salaries, meaningful equity, and consistent pay practices that reflect our mission and core values.

At WHOOP, we view total compensation as the combination of base salary, equity, and benefits, with equity serving as a key differentiator that aligns our employees with the long-term success of the company and allows every member of our corporate team to own part of WHOOP and share in the company’s long-term growth and success.

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $60,000 - $85,000. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within each range, individual pay is based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, performance, and relevant education or training.

In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate will also receive benefits and a generous equity package.

These ranges may be modified in the future to reflect evolving market conditions and organizational needs. While most offers will typically fall toward the starting point of the range, total compensation will depend on the candidate’s specific qualifications, expertise, and alignment with the role’s requirements.

Learn more about WHOOP https://www.whoop.com/us/en/careers/?srsltid=AfmBOopKmph9d0DLBlogZu8mx6do0dzjNS8eJlfc4PQqQtdU6F8DGKBg.