Altra: Senior Footwear Designer, Inline

About the role

Position: Sr. Concept Footwear Designer, Innovation

What will you do?

• Design and develop cutting-edge performance footwear that stands out for both function and aesthetic innovation.
• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to create new concepts and translate them into athlete-ready products.
• Pitch and sell product ideas to internal and external leaders, presenting design concepts at key milestones.
• Create brand-new concepts that expand what Altra can be, aligning them with seasonal vision and brand DNA.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with Innovation Design, Product Development, and Product Management to ensure alignment and successful delivery.
• Provide leadership within the team, sharing expertise and raising the level of those around you.
• Collaborate closely with Asia manufacturing partners and athletes in the field.

What do you need to succeed?

• A self-driven, problem-solving mindset with strong personal accountability.
• Deep curiosity and a passion for continuously elevating your footwear design craft.
• Comfort mentoring and supporting emerging designers.
• The ability to juggle multiple projects, shift priorities quickly, and excel in a fast-paced environment.
• A genuine passion for technical performance footwear, running, biomechanics, and human performance — with an appreciation for how art and science come together in great product design.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, sometimes for extended periods.
• Flexibility to work extended hours when needed to meet key milestones.

Section not applicable

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience designing and developing cutting edge performance footwear (and associated products).
• Formal education in a related field is appreciated, but not required.
• Self-driven, problem-solving mindset with strong personal accountability.
• Deep curiosity and a passion for continuously elevating your footwear design craft.
• Comfort mentoring and supporting emerging designers.
• The ability to juggle multiple projects, shift priorities quickly, and excel in a fast-paced environment.
• A genuine passion for technical performance footwear, running, biomechanics, and human performance — with an appreciation for how art and science come together in great product design.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, sometimes for extended periods.
• Flexibility to work extended hours when needed to meet key milestones.
• Expertise in performance footwear materials and manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of the footwear design and development process.
• Hands-on cobbling and prototyping skills (a plus).
• Experience with 3D design tools (a plus, not required).
• Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.).
• Confidence in using presentation tools such as Keynote, PowerPoint, and Acrobat.

Skills

• Experience in performance running footwear or deep familiarity with run culture and biomechanics (preferred).
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and development teams (preferred).
• Physical prototyping skills and hands-on model making experience (a plus).

Section not applicable

Paying

Hiring Range: $96,768.00 USD - $120,960.00 USD annually

Incentives

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits

You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF?. Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.