Designer 2 - Footwear Innovation

Job description

**Your opportunity at ARC’TERYX:** As a Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation, you contribute to the exploration, creation, and validation of future footwear solutions that advance Arc’teryx’s product vision. In this role, you will help identify athlete needs, develop experimental concepts, build prototypes, test new materials and constructions, and translate insight into innovation opportunities for the footwear category. You will support the creation of a strong and ownable Arc’teryx footwear DNA by connecting mountain utility, technical problem solving, material innovation, fit, durability, and commercial potential. You are a curious and hands-on problem solver who thrives in ambiguity, learns through making, and works collaboratively to turn emerging ideas into meaningful product possibilities. This role is based out of our Portland office and is expected to be performed on-location. **Meet your future team:** The Arc’teryx Footwear team creates innovative, technical product that exceeds the core mountain athlete’s needs in the outdoors. We are builders, problem solvers and passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Fueled by curiosity, we take an immersive approach to identifying our athlete’s needs and build, test, and validate products that solve for real functional challenges. We are a passionate collective with a focus on collaborative teamwork and our vision is to redefine the industry. ### If you were in the Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation role now, here are some of the core activities you would be doing: - Supporting the exploration of future footwear innovation opportunities through athlete insight, field observation, product research, trend awareness, and competitive analysis - Translating research, performance problems, and user needs into early concepts, prototypes, experiments, and product hypotheses - Helping build and evolve a distinct Arc’teryx footwear innovation DNA across fit, ride, traction, protection, durability, materials, construction, and mountain utility - Creating sketches, concept boards, mockups, prototypes, test samples, material explorations, and clear visual storytelling to communicate new footwear possibilities - Translating concepts into detailed tech packs to clearly communicate complex constructions to manufacturing partners - Building, testing, and iterating footwear prototypes to validate comfort, fit, performance, durability, construction, and usability in real outdoor conditions - Working with material and development partners to investigate new materials, components, tooling approaches, construction methods, and manufacturing possibilities - Documenting experiments, learnings, product hypotheses, prototype intent, testing feedback, and next steps to support clear decision making through the innovation process - Staying current with developments in footwear, biomechanics, materials, manufacturing, outdoor equipment, and adjacent industries to inspire future product solutions ### Here are some of the things you could be working on in the future: - Contributing to the creation of a future footwear innovation pipeline that supports product, process, athlete experience, and commercial opportunity - Helping develop signature innovation platforms and product concepts that strengthen a distinct Arc’teryx footwear point of view in the market - Exploring new approaches to fit, protection, traction, climate comfort, weight reduction, durability, repairability, and adaptable performance systems - Collaborating with Arc’teryx athletes, field testers, and external innovation partners to gather insight and prototype solutions for future mountain footwear needs ### Are you our next Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation? - You have a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, Innovation, Engineering, or equivalent industry experience - You have 5+ years of hands-on experience in footwear innovation, footwear design, product innovation, technical product development, or a related field - You have a strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, components, tooling, prototyping methods, and manufacturing processes - You are skilled at turning insights, product problems, and technical questions into experiments, prototypes, and learnings - You are comfortable building concept boards, sketches, mockups, prototypes, test plans, and documentation that clearly communicate innovation intent - You are proficient with Adobe Illustrator and other tools used to communicate footwear concepts, specifications, and prototype direction - You have strong curiosity, hands-on making skills, and a bias toward testing, learning, and iteration - You are an excellent team player with the ability to take direction, work independently, and collaborate across functions - You remain flexible, adaptable, and energized when working through ambiguity and unknowns - You balance autonomy and collaboration while contributing to breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement - Your passion for your work is paralleled by your passion for getting outside and living it - You have strong knowledge of Arc’teryx products and the activities Arc’teryx makes products for - You have the ability to travel both nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaboration ### Compensation: The salary range for this role is USD$82,000 - USD$108,000