Job Overview
As a Lead Innovation Footwear Developer, you will be a driving force at the forefront of On's product evolution. You will work with a high degree of autonomy to lead complex projects, challenge conventions, and champion innovative approaches that define the future of footwear. This role requires mastery of technical complexity, effective management of key stakeholder relationships, and the ability to translate visionary concepts into scalable, performance-driven products.
Your Team
On's Innovation team is an agile, interdisciplinary group composed of footwear creation experts, advanced manufacturing specialists, and sport innovators. Together, we drive On's future innovations and athlete-informed technologies that distinguish our footwear from the competition.
We challenge the status quo and push boundaries to pioneer footwear innovation. As a member of the On Innovation Team, you will think creatively and bring fresh, innovative ideas to life.
Your Mission
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Lead and own the end-to-end creation of high-impact, innovative product concepts while managing multiple projects independently, from initial strategy and conception to commercialization.
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Leverage your expert knowledge of manufacturing processes, material properties, and biomechanics to troubleshoot significant and unique issues, utilizing a strong root-cause analysis mindset.
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Act as a key influencer and central communication hub among diverse internal teams and major external T1/T2 partners, effectively managing expectations and confidently communicating with stakeholders, including senior management.
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Serve as the guardian for product performance, partnering with the testing team to translate consumer and athlete feedback into tangible design iterations.
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Critically assess and validate last shapes with last engineers to perfect intended fit and performance. Collaborate with computational designers to pioneer upper patterns and construction adjustments that enhance fit and durability, while ensuring scalable manufacturing.
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Own the documentation of complex tooling and upper-related issues, defining and communicating clear corrective actions to all stakeholders. Create and manage comprehensive tech packs, specification sheets, and BOMs, driving development timelines to meet critical calendar milestones.
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Act as a leader within the team, determining methods and procedures for new assignments, and potentially supervising the activities of other team members.
Your Story
- 8+ years of progressive experience in footwear development, with a strong focus on innovation and bringing new technologies to market.
- Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in Engineering, Material Science, or another relevant technical field.
- Expert-level knowledge of advanced footwear manufacturing processes, including tooling, molding, injecting, welding, lasting, and assembly. Understanding factory capabilities, tolerances, and limitations is essential for designing for scalable replication.
- A natural technical curiosity coupled with a robust root-cause analysis approach to problem-solving.
- In-depth knowledge of advanced footwear materials, their properties, and performance characteristics, along with experience in advanced testing and analysis.
- Proven ability to lead the scaling of new technologies while assessing their commercial viability and factory readiness.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to confidently present and defend concepts to senior management and external partners.
- A demonstrated ability to work with high autonomy, navigating ambiguity and making independent judgments on complex issues.
- Experience mentoring junior team members or supervising project activities is a strong plus.
- Comfort with industrial machinery and proficiency in hands-on prototyping.
- Willingness to travel up to 10-15% of the time.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.