Senior Specialist - Innovation Footwear Developer

The role

The Innovation Footwear Developer will lead the development of future-oriented concepts within the R&D organization. This person will translate footwear innovation work into advanced products and create future technologies.

What you will do

• Manage and execute the creation of innovative product concepts from conception to completion.
• Oversee technology development, sample creation and assembly, and the development of uppers, toolings, technologies, and molds.
• Manage multiple high-impact innovation projects with complete autonomy and ownership.
• Solve complex problems related to product intricacies, process optimization, and scalable manufacturing.
• Act as a bridge between designers, innovators, model makers, pattern engineers, and technology partners.
• Collaborate with Sport Science, Innovation Design, Footwear Engineering, and Innovation Material Science teams.
• Create and update the transfer Manual by documenting processes and product descriptions.
• Forge connections with development teams in Asia to ensure successful information transfer.
• Fabricate and assemble materials and components using various machinery and hand tools.

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of footwear development experience with a strong background in the performance running category.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Technology Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Solid foundational knowledge of footwear construction, upper development, tooling, pattern engineering, and sample building.
• Hands-on experience developing advanced upper textiles, bottom unit superfoams, sustainable material alternatives, and performance ingredients.
• Ability to translate sports science data, athlete feedback, and mechanical testing results into product features.
• Proven track record of managing multi-stakeholder projects under tight seasonal deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate across global teams and Asia production partners.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 15% of the time.

About the company

On’s Innovation team is responsible for On’s future innovation, out-of-the-box thinking and the outstanding athlete-informed technology that differentiates On footwear.