Footwear Materials Designer [AQ-15447]

About the role

As a key innovator, you won’t just be designing; you’ll be igniting the spark of innovation that defines future collections, working at the dynamic intersection of design, material science, manufacturing, performance, and consumer culture. You will be at the forefront of material innovation, driving the creation of compelling, commercially viable materials that blend technical sophistication with visual distinction, contributing directly to the legacy of an industry leader.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative material concepts across a broad range of products and categories.
• Design and develop materials including knits, leather, suede, synthetics, wovens, and other textile constructions.
• Work across both performance and lifestyle products, balancing technical requirements with strong aesthetic and consumer appeal.
• Drive materials from concept and ideation through sampling, development, commercialization, and final production.
• Collaborate closely with material vendors, suppliers, factories, and product development teams to bring new materials and finishes to life.
• Translate creative concepts into practical material executions while maintaining design intent.
• Research and explore new materials, manufacturing techniques, finishes, and construction methods.
• Develop and communicate material stories through moodboards, visual research, material explorations, presentations, and prototypes.
• Create or contribute to physical samples, mockups, and 3D material applications.
• Prepare and refine material specifications and technical documentation for development and production.
• Manage multiple seasonal projects while working within tight timelines and evolving priorities.
• Present concepts and material strategies to cross-functional and external partners.
• Consider sustainability, manufacturing feasibility, quality, cost, performance, and scalability throughout the design process.

Must-Have Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in materials design, textile design, product design, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise designing and developing upper materials for consumer products.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of knits, leather, suede, synthetics, wovens, and related material constructions.
• Experience working across both performance and lifestyle product categories.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between material design, manufacturing, sourcing, development, and production.
• Proven experience collaborating with material vendors and manufacturing partners.
• Ability to independently own projects and make thoughtful creative and technical decisions.
• Strong visual and conceptual design skills with a high level of aesthetic judgment.
• Ability to clearly communicate the story and rationale behind a design, from initial concept through final execution.
• Understanding of the broader product creation process.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, Textile Design, Fashion Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• A portfolio is required, demonstrating:
  • Material design and innovation
  • Product applications
  • Range of material expertise
  • Concept development and research
  • Moodboards and visual storytelling
  • Material experimentation and iteration
  • The progression from initial concept → development → final execution
  • Examples demonstrating both creative thinking and technical problem-solving

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience designing materials for athletic, performance, lifestyle, running, training, basketball, or sport-inspired products.
• Experience with material innovation and emerging manufacturing techniques.
• Experience developing 3D samples, hand-built mockups, prototypes, or physical material studies.
• Experience translating concepts from 2D design into 3D product applications.
• Strong understanding of consumer insights, trends, sport culture, and lifestyle products.
• Experience incorporating sustainability and responsible material innovation into product development.
• Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Experience presenting to senior creative leadership, cross-functional teams, vendors, or manufacturing partners.