Developer II, Footwear Innovation

About the role

The ASICS Creation Center, LLC is ASICS Corporation’s product creation office based in Boston, MA. Our focus is taking innovation and product creation to new heights. The team works across Innovation, Performance Running, SportStyle, and Core Performance Sports. At ASICS, our Sound Mind, Sound Body philosophy is more than a tagline, it’s our way of life.

The ACC Innovation Team explores the future of performance footwear through learning, experimentation, and rapid prototyping. By combining consumer insight, sport science, and design exploration, we uncover new possibilities that shape the future of ASICS products and athlete experiences.

As a Developer II on the Footwear Innovation team, you’ll help turn new ideas into real, testable footwear. You will be creating early-stage prototypes, evaluating them through local sampling and testing, and using what you learn to shape the next stage of development.

Responsibilities

• Bring new footwear technology concepts to life by creating early-stage prototypes and evaluating them through local sampling and testing to prove out ideas and inform the next stage of development.
• Partner with Design and Product Management to explore how innovative materials and constructions can be made manufacturable and meet performance, sustainability, cost, and quality goals.
• Work with Product Testing teams to help define testing needs, run early evaluations, understand results, and apply the learnings to the next prototype.
• Support the Advanced Development Team in Kobe in creating and maintaining technical packages and Bills of Materials (BOMs) for assigned projects.
• Critique, adjust, and evaluate technical blueprints (outsole / midsole / upper), upper patterns, and materials from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective.
• Manage samples for assigned projects; receipt, distribution, checking, and keeping teammates updated.
• Keep the innovation team and your development counterparts closely informed on prototype progress, contributing to project updates.
• Ensure key development decisions are aligned with and approved by the Advanced Development Team Manager in Kobe.
• Participate in development trips, 3–4 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on current development projects.
• Continuously grow your knowledge of ASICS product creation and manufacturing processes, vendor capabilities, and the craft of development.
• Keep abreast of market trends, new technologies, and consumer needs to ensure products meet the functional demands of our runners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomechanics, Engineering, Kinesiology, or related technical field; equivalent combination of education and experience considered in lieu of degree(s).
• 4+ years of experience in the development of high-performance, technical running footwear.
• Solid hands-on experience across technical running footwear development, prototyping, costing awareness, and manufacturing from concept toward retail.
• Experience working in innovation and early-stage product creation, and a passion for solving problems where the path isn’t yet clear.
• Optimistic that a solution to difficult challenges can be found, with the perseverance to keep investigating options and pivoting when needed.
• Curious and open-minded; inventive, and willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of better products and processes.
• Comfortable working in new arenas of footwear development where a specific direction and solution path is unclear at the start.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships across diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills within project teams.
• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution, with a willingness to dig into the “why.”
• High level of independent work ethic, with the instinct to know when to reach out for support.
• Strong computer skills, including Illustrator, Smartsheet, and MS Office; Flex PLM and Centrix 8 knowledge a bonus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire and build trust.
• Ability to travel 10% domestically and internationally as needed.

Pay

Salary Range: $90,000 - $110,000