Senior Footwear Project Designer, Design Accelerator

About the role

At New Balance Footwear Design, our mission is to unlock the full potential of our team’s creativity. The Senior Footwear Project Designer, Design Accelerator will support in the rapid creation of footwear prototypes as a part of our Design Accelerator function.

Responsibilities

• Create quick sketches as may be needed to elaborate on the initial concept.
• Collaborate with designer and product manager to gain alignment on initial proto direction.
• Bring added realism through Vizcom materialization or Gravity Sketch study models.
• Create upper quick-spec, collaborate closely with materials design team, and have a central understanding of appropriate materials selection to achieve design intent, cost targets, durability and sustainability requirements.
• Create initial shell pattern when required. ‘Owns’ the techpack creation and revision throughout initial first prototype phase.
• Aids in the transition of that techpack to the inline design team after first proto.
• Create initial sketches of outsole design, communicate to 3D designer base form intent, last selection, and key section details.
• Works with 3D designer and product designer to refine 3D models before prints are created.
• Act as a liaison between Design Development and PM ensuring alignment and smooth communication.
• Navigate ambiguity with confidence, using resourcefulness to solve problems to clarify design intent.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously with a high level of urgency and ownership to meet deadlines and maintain project momentum.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design or other footwear-related design field (product, graphics, or fashion).
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite tools a must.
• 3D experience with Gravity Sketch, Rhino, etc. and AI experience such as Vizcom or Midjourney are a bonus.
• 5+ years of footwear design experience, preferably working in the Lifestyle category.
• Strong project management skills and team collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Pay

Pay Range: $117,400.00 - $152,000.00 - $186,600.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Schedule

Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB)

Benefits

Regular Associate Benefits: Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally.

Temporary Associates

Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.

Part Time Associates

Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced “Work from Anywhere” (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.