Footwear Designer - Inline (Altra)

About the role

A day in the life of an Inline Footwear Designer at Altra looks a little like this. As part of the Footwear Design team, you will create innovative, athlete-informed performance footwear that brings Altra’s design language and product vision to life. Working closely with Product Management, Development, Color/Materials/Graphics, and Innovation, you will help shape seasonal inline products from concept through commercialization. This role balances performance problem-solving, commercial viability, aesthetics, and authentic storytelling—building products that serve runners while pushing the Altra brand forward.

Responsibilities

• Own the design execution of inline footwear projects from initial concept through tech pack completion, including upper, midsole, outsole, and overall visual storytelling.
• Translate product briefs into compelling design solutions that align with Altra’s brand DNA, athlete needs, and category opportunities.
• Create and present 2D sketches, 3D digital models, and presentation materials to communicate design intent clearly and effectively.
• Partner closely with Product Management, Development, and Color/Materials teams to bring aligned product solutions to life.
• Integrate seasonal material, color, and trend direction into footwear concepts while maintaining performance-first integrity.
• Refine product through prototyping, testing, and fit reviews, responding to feedback with thoughtful iteration.
• Maintain strong communication with development partners and factory teams to ensure design fidelity through commercialization.
• Stay connected to the running consumer, marketplace, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Participate in athlete testing, product reviews, and market research to deepen understanding of performance needs.
• Help evolve Altra’s design language by contributing new ideas, fresh perspectives, and future-thinking design solutions.
• Travel 10% (Domestically/Internationally)

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in footwear design, preferably in performance, athletic, or outdoor categories or
• 4-year college or university degree in industrial, graphics, apparel or footwear design, equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be substituted for degree.
• Strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, manufacturing processes, and product creation timelines.
• Exceptional 2D sketching and visual communication skills with the ability to clearly express ideas and concepts.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with 3D tools such as Rhino, Blender, etc is strongly preferred but not a deal breaker.
• Understanding of AI design process and workflows is a plus.
• Ability to think conceptually and solve design problems through the lens of athlete performance and brand authenticity.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work cross-functionally in a team-based product creation environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines while maintaining a high standard of design quality and attention to detail.
• Strong presentation skills with confidence in sharing ideas, receiving critique, and iterating quickly.
• Possess a desire to learn & be curious - be a design and process sponge.

Qualifications

• Experience in performance running footwear or deep familiarity with run culture and biomechanics.
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and development teams.
• Physical prototyping skills and hands-on model making experience.
• Passion for running, movement, and understanding the needs of the athlete.