Numeric Footwear Design Apprentice

About Us

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today. The New Balance design team is a closely connected global community united by a common pursuit of setting the standard for product quality, this our legacy to uphold through a balance of innovation and craftsmanship.

The NB Apprenticeship serves as a talent pipeline, with a mission to provide the future of our industry with firsthand industry experiences and an environment to develop professionally while honing their craft.

About the Role

You will be an instrumental part of the global design community and your category team, focusing on our Numeric Footwear, our skateboarding-focused category. You will experience, learn, and contribute to all aspects of our culture and the design process, including but not limited to research, ideation, designing and assisting design, presentations, gathering feedback, tech packs, reviews, revising, and refining projects. You will be part of the apprentice community attending learning capsules, expanding your technical and soft skills, and creating a personal project that will showcase your skills.

Key Partners

• Global Design and Category Product (Design, Product Management, Development)
• Apprentice team

Requirements

• Understanding of skateboarding culture, footwear, and overall style
• Well-rounded color and material perspective with skate-focused needs
• Collaborative individual that seeks out, navigates, and actions feedback with ease
• Action-oriented with ability to track key dates and deliverables
• Team player that takes on any task no matter how big or small
• Obsesses over product details that meet brand quality standards and consider environmental impact
• High level of taste with ability to create original concepts that exude NB quality and craftsmanship
• Awareness of the trend, culture, and design landscape
• Brings curiosity and a commitment to continually learning, growing, and refining skill set
• Ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations to different audiences
• Motivated self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (mandatory; required to learn prior to start date)
• Experience in 3D is a plus; strong desire to learn is required
• Strong communication and storytelling skills (visual and verbal)
• BA or BS degree in Industrial Design or Product Design
• A portfolio link or attachment included in your application

Schedule

This is a hybrid position—three days in-office (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) in Long Beach, CA.

Pay

$33.00 hourly (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, and geographic location).

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance (three options), dental, vision, life insurance, and 401K
• Online learning and development courses
• Tuition reimbursement
• $100 monthly student loan support
• Various mentorship programs
• $1,000 yearly lifestyle reimbursement
• 4 weeks of vacation, 12 holidays, and generous parental leave
• Temporary associates: three options for medical insurance, dental, vision, and associate discount
• Part-time associates: 401K, short-term disability, $300 yearly lifestyle reimbursement, and associate discount
• Flexible "Work from Anywhere" policy for four weeks per calendar year