Footwear Developer

Summary

First and foremost, we are riders. We share the core belief that bikes help make the world a better place. From product development and operations to finance and marketing - every role at Specialized contributes to a culture of sustainable, global growth, and innovation. Around the world, we work to recruit candidates who are passionate and curious with the belief that everyone has the potential to be a leader.

About the role

The Footwear Developer plays a crucial role in creating world-class product. They partner closely with Product, Design, and Manufacturing to deliver footwear that meets performance, fit, durability, cost, and sustainability targets. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of hands-on footwear development experience, deep understanding of injected material, rubber compounds, and proven capability managing tooling development, revisions, and commercialization in a factory environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead new projects through the full development lifecycle from design handoff to production confirmation.
• Manage development calendars, track milestones, and ensure on-time sample delivery.
• Support fit validation, wear testing, and lab testing to ensure footwear meets functional requirements.
• Be a lead voice in driving materials exploration and execution, partnering with Industrial Design, CMF and Asia-based development teams.
• Costing: help to facilitate cost-engineering of products throughout the design and commercialization phase.
• Process Optimization: Continually find opportunities to improve design and development processes.

Requirements

• Experience with midsole and outsole tooling development, understanding geometry refinement, draft, parting lines, sidewall detailing, groove design, and mold feasibility.
• Ability to communicate with detail cross-functionally ensuring very clear direction and expectations to all team members.
• Experience in cost-engineering and negotiations.
• Knowledge of materials; plastics, composites, textiles, construction techniques, advanced tooling, etc.
• Experience tracking and driving footwear projects, meeting delivery, cost and innovation targets.
• Ability to work fluidly with factories and vendors; communicate forecasts clearly and accurately.
• Experience contributing to design reviews and ability to provide feedback and give direction based on production capabilities and costing.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, 3-4 times per year.
• 5+ years in footwear development.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field or equivalent work experience.
• Passionate cyclist desired.

Qualifications

• Passionate about innovation and sustainability.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and precision.

Skills

• Hands-on footwear development experience.
• Understanding of midsole and outsole tooling development.
• Experience with cost-engineering and negotiations.
• Knowledge of materials and construction techniques.
• Ability to manage tooling development, revisions, and commercialization.
• Experience with factory environments and vendor communication.
• Strong problem-solving and process optimization skills.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with annual performance-based reviews for continued growth and recognition.
• Comprehensive healthcare plan options, including PPO, EPO, HDHP, and HMO (acupuncture and physical therapy included).
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer HSA contributions when enrolled in the High-Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP).
• Dental and Vision plans.
• 401(k) Company Matching up to $5,000 annually with immediate 100% vesting and administrative fees paid for by the company.
• Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program that provides access to individualized mental well-being care.
• Generous Vacation, Sick, Paid Holidays, and Volunteer Time Off.
• Up to 14 weeks of 100% paid leave for birthing parents and 8 weeks of 100% paid leave for non-birthing parents, plus a Specialized bike for your new baby.
• Up to $9,000 annually in Career Development & Degree Assistance.
• Up to $250 annually in Fitness & Wellness Reimbursement.
• Industry Pro-Deal Discounts and Perks.

Pay

Below is a summary of compensation elements for this role at the company if based in the following locations:

• Morgan Hill, CA (Office): Base Pay Range: $80,000 - $120,000

Schedule

As a full-time, regular teammate, you are eligible for the following benefits, beginning the first of the month following your start date.

• Competitive pay with annual performance-based reviews for continued growth and recognition.
• Comprehensive healthcare plan options, including PPO, EPO, HDHP, and HMO (acupuncture and physical therapy included).
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer HSA contributions when enrolled in the High-Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP).
• Dental and Vision plans.
• 401(k) Company Matching up to $5,000 annually with immediate 100% vesting and administrative fees paid for by the company.
• Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program that provides access to individualized mental well-being care.
• Generous Vacation, Sick, Paid Holidays, and Volunteer Time Off.
• Up to 14 weeks of 100% paid leave for birthing parents and 8 weeks of 100% paid leave for non-birthing parents, plus a Specialized bike for your new baby.
• Up to $9,000 annually in Career Development & Degree Assistance.
• Up to $250 annually in Fitness & Wellness Reimbursement.
• Industry Pro-Deal Discounts and Perks.