Lead Footwear Developer
The Lead Footwear Developer will collaborate with product teams to shape the future of On's product line. By translating footwear innovation into advanced products, this role will create future technologies that define the brand. The Lead Footwear Developer 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.
- Lead multiple high-impact innovation projects with complete autonomy and ownership, strategically aligning them with company goals.
- Engage in complex problem-solving to tackle challenges related to product intricacies, process optimization, efficiency enhancement, model making, and scalable manufacturing practices.
- Ensure seamless communication and collaboration by acting as a bridge between designers, conceptual footwear innovators, model makers, pattern engineers, technology partners, and other stakeholders, keeping scalability in mind for 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, meticulously documenting processes, including key data, design images, and detailed product/process descriptions to ensure comprehensive and user-friendly resource for successful technical knowledge transfer.
- Forge strong connections with development teams in Asia, actively participating in information transfer strategies and fostering collaborative cross-border working relationships.
- Demonstrate proficiency in fabricating and assembling materials using a diverse array of machinery and hand tools, including 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, including injecting, cutting, sewing, welding, machining, laser cutting, construction, and prototyping.
- Ability to identify design issues and propose solutions to improve product functionality and manufacturability.
- Demonstrated knowledge of material testing and methodology, comfortable working with chemistry/chemical processes for materials creation, including textiles, foam polymers, solvents, and chemicals.
- Proven ability to lead the scaling, costing, and testing of manufacturing processes and concepts while introducing new technologies to the market.
- Excellent communication skills, adapting communication style 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.
- 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 sports experts. We are dedicated to driving On's future innovations and athlete-informed technologies that set On footwear apart. We challenge the status quo, pushing 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.