In Short
The Lead Footwear Developer will collaborate with product teams to shape the future of On's product line by translating footwear innovation into advanced footwear products and creating future technologies that will define the brand. This role is responsible for leading the development of forward-thinking concepts within the R&D organization.
Your Mission
- Manage and execute the creation of innovative product concepts from conception to completion, overseeing technology development, sample creation and assembly, as well as the development of uppers, toolings, technologies, and molds.
- Oversee multiple high-impact innovation projects with complete autonomy and ownership while aligning with strategic company goals.
- Engage in complex problem-solving that addresses challenges related to product intricacies, process optimization, efficiency enhancement, and scalable manufacturing practices.
- Ensure seamless communication and collaboration by serving as a bridge between designers, conceptual footwear innovators, model makers, pattern engineers, technology partners, and other stakeholders, with careful consideration for scalability in every project.
- Work closely with the Sport Science, Innovation Design, Footwear Engineering, and Innovation Material Science teams to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and drive the development of innovative prototypes.
- Create and update the transfer manual by meticulously documenting processes, including key data, design images, and detailed product/process descriptions, ensuring it remains a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for successful technical knowledge transfer.
- Forge strong connections with our development teams in Asia, actively participating in successful information transfer strategies and fostering a collaborative cross-border working relationship.
- Demonstrate expertise in fabricating and assembling materials and components while utilizing a diverse array of machinery and hand tools. This includes proficiency in cutting, injecting, sanding, buffing, sewing, welding, pressing, and lasting processes.
Your Story
- 5+ years of footwear-specific experience.
- Experience with footwear innovation projects.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or another relevant field preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in traditional footwear manufacturing processes—injecting, cutting, sewing, welding, machining, laser cutting, construction, and prototyping among others.
- Ability to identify design issues and suggest solutions to enhance functionality and manufacturability of products.
- Demonstrated knowledge of material testing and methodology, comfortable with chemistry/chemical processes for materials creation, including but not limited to textiles, foam polymers, solvents, chemicals, polyurethane, superfoams, EVA, and more.
- Proven ability to lead the scaling, costing, and testing of manufacturing processes and concepts while introducing new technologies to the market.
- Excellent communication skills, with a comfort in adapting communication styles between engineers, designers, product experts, and cross-functional non-product creation partners.
- Ability to work independently under deadlines on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring both innovative ideas and engineering problem-solving.
- Exhibit a high tolerance for ambiguity and a solution-focused attitude.
- Comfortable working with industrial machinery.
- Availability to travel up to 15% of the time.
About the Team
On's Innovation team is an agile, interdisciplinary group of footwear creation, advanced manufacturing, and future sport experts, driving On's future innovations and athlete-informed technologies that set On footwear apart. We challenge the status quo and push boundaries to pioneer footwear innovation. As a member of the On Innovation Team, you will think outside the box and bring new, innovative ideas to life.
How to Apply
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.