Lead Footwear Developer
The Lead Footwear Developer will collaborate with product teams, shaping the future of On's product line by translating footwear innovation efforts into advanced products. This role is crucial for leading the development of forward-thinking concepts within the R&D organization, paving the way for future technologies that will define the brand.
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.
- Lead multiple high-impact innovation projects with complete autonomy and ownership while aligning strategies with company goals.
- Engage in complex problem-solving by addressing challenges related to product intricacies, process optimization, efficiency enhancement, model making, and enabling scalable manufacturing practices.
- Facilitate seamless communication and collaboration by acting as a liaison between designers, conceptual footwear innovators, model makers, pattern engineers, technology partners, and other stakeholders, ensuring scalability is carefully considered for every project.
- Collaborate 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, meticulously documenting processes, including key data, design images, and detailed product/process descriptions to ensure it remains a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for successful technical knowledge transfer.
- Establish strong connections with our development teams in Asia, actively participating in effective information transfer strategies and fostering a collaborative cross-border working relationship.
- Demonstrate expertise in fabricating and assembling materials and components using a diverse array of machinery and hand tools, including but not limited to 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 a related field preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in traditional footwear manufacturing processes, including injecting, cutting, sewing, welding, machining, laser cutting, construction, and prototyping.
- Ability to identify design issues and propose solutions to enhance product functionality and manufacturability.
- Demonstrated knowledge of material testing and methodology, comfortable working with chemistry and chemical processes for material creation, not limited to textiles, foam polymers, solvents, chemicals, polyurethane, superfoams, and EVA.
- Proven ability to lead the scaling, costing, and testing of manufacturing processes and concepts while introducing new technologies to the market.
- Excellent communication skills and adaptability in communication style between engineers, designers, product experts, and cross-functional partners.
- Ability to work independently under deadlines on multiple projects requiring both innovative ideas and engineering problem-solving.
- Demonstrates a high tolerance for ambiguity and maintains a solution-focused attitude.
- Comfortable working with industrial machinery.
- Willingness 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, dedicated to driving On's future innovations and athlete-informed technologies that distinguish On footwear. 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.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.