Principal Designer, Footwear - HOKA Innovation
At Deckers Brands, we believe that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported as a whole person, both at work and beyond. This role is part of our commitment to delivering exceptional business results while fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.
About the Role
As Principal Designer, Footwear – HOKA Innovation, you’ll drive the creative exploration of what’s next in performance footwear. You’ll collaborate with elite athletes, engineers, sports scientists, and developers to translate insights into innovative concepts and technologies. Your energy, passion, and expertise will help shape breakthrough solutions that transform athlete experiences and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Responsibilities
- Design and engineer future performance footwear that blends innovation, athlete needs, and HOKA’s design DNA
- Manage and drive innovation projects aligned to the HOKA innovation strategy, roadmap, and calendar
- Develop and refine accurate 2D and 3D design techpacks, renderings, and compelling product storytelling
- Collaborate with elite athletes and the HOKA sports science and testing team to test, iterate, and refine products
- Translate athlete and consumer insights into advanced concepts and radical product solutions
- Explore new materials, constructions, and aesthetics that bring meaningful newness to performance product
- Travel with the team for design, development, and inspiration trips to factories, tradeshows, and athlete events
- Contribute to HOKA global design strategy and seasonal direction, shaping progressive performance narratives
- Lead by example, set a high creative standard, and inspire teammates through collaboration and constructive feedback
- Balance creativity and high design with technical manufacturing possibilities and constraints
- Manage complex projects, meetings, timelines, and competing priorities with organization and attention to detail
- Build and maintain a strong creative vision across projects and industry landscape
- Partner effectively with internal and external teams, including consumer insights, athlete science, design, testing, development, engineering, and agency partners
- Create compelling narratives, presentations, and design stories for senior leadership and cross-functional partners
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in apparel, footwear, industrial, transportation design, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 8-10+ years of related performance footwear design experience
- 1-3+ years of people management experience preferred
- Confident working fast, generating provocative ideas, and visualizing radical new concepts
- Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, ideation, and brainstorming skills
- Mastery of advanced digital AI co-creation design tools (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, Rhino, Grasshopper, Blender, Clo, Keyshot, Gravity Sketch, Vizcom, Midjourney, Claude) and proficiency in Microsoft applications
- Ability to self-start, tinker, build, and prototype early concepts into tangible mockups and samples
- Advanced design thinking, creativity, and strategic approach, translating ambiguity into clear design direction
- Expertise in technical performance footwear, including materials, construction, fit, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing
- Deep care and understanding of sustainability and circularity concepts and practices
Benefits
- Competitive pay and bonuses
- Financial planning and wellbeing support, including investment and expense management
- Paid time off for family, health, or personal recharge
- Generous employee discounts and community-based programs
- Extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings
Pay
$137,500.00 - $185,600.00. The salary range reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries in Portland, Oregon. Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Schedule
Hybrid role based in Portland, OR, typically requiring 3 days per week in the office (Tuesday – Thursday).