Footwear Developer I

Job description

**Who We Are:** At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation. Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success: - ***Runner First*** - *We act in the best interest of the runner* - ***Word is Bond*** - *We do what we say we’ll do* - ***Champion Heart*** - *We give our all in everything we do* - ***There is no “I” in Run*** - *We stay generous with our humanity* - ***Keep Moving*** - *We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!* We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re *all* moving towards something. Let’s run there. **Your Job:** As a **Footwear Developer I**, you’ll play a hands-on role in supporting the creation and execution of seasonal inline and SMU (special make-up) products. You’ll work closely with senior developers, engineers, designers, and global partners to bring footwear projects to life from concept and material updates to fit validation and sample tracking. This is a growth-focused role ideal for someone early in their development career who’s eager to learn, highly collaborative, and detail-oriented. You’ll gain exposure to all aspects of the product creation process while making a tangible impact on product quality, cost, and performance. **Ready to build the future of performance footwear, one project at a time?** Join us and take your first step toward becoming a technical expert, creative thinker, and trusted contributor in the world of footwear creation. Brooks offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in performance product development by working with industry experts, within a culture that values growth, curiosity, and collaboration. You'll receive competitive compensation and global exposure, allowing you to make a significant impact as a creative thinker and trusted contributor in the world of footwear creation. ### Responsibilities: **Product Creation** - Lead the execution of **new uppers, SMUs, and color/material updates** in partnership with senior team members and Asia-based developers. - Manage the **full sample process** for your projects; track, receive, distribute, review, and communicate across teams to ensure accuracy and alignment. - Collaborate with Product Line Management, Design, Asia Development, and Engineering to ensure your products deliver on our brand promise of **Fit, Feel, and Ride**. **Engineering & Commercialization** - Participate in development of new tooling projects alongside more senior developers and engineers, gaining exposure to mold and outsole engineering. - Maintain **technical packages**, including BOMs, blueprints, and upper patterns, ensuring accuracy and clarity for factory partners. - Own testing, validation, and feedback loops for your designated projects to ensure product quality and performance integrity throughout the creation cycle. **Drive Process & Communication** - Lead multiple small- to mid-size projects with accountability for timelines, costing targets, and production readiness. - Communicate product specifications and changes clearly to global teams to ensure alignment on performance and manufacturability. - Identify process improvements and implement best practices in data accuracy, sample management, and cross-functional coordination. **Additional Responsibilities:** - Participate in **Asia development trips** (2–4 times annually) to collaborate directly with factories and suppliers on construction, quality, and sampling. - Continuously evolve your knowledge of vendor capabilities, lead times, material behavior, and manufacturing processes. - Stay informed on market trends, consumer needs, and sustainability opportunities that influence future product creation. ### Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in **Engineering**, **Biomechanics**, **Design**, **Kinesiology**, or another technical field; equivalent experience also considered. - **3+ years**’ experience in footwear, apparel, or consumer goods; **1+ years** in athletic footwear development preferred. - Curiosity and drive to learn the craft of footwear creation from fit and function to construction and costing. - Strong collaboration skills and the ability to **work cross-functionally** with teammates across disciplines and time zones. - Excellent communication skills with an ability to clarify complex details. - High level of organization, follow-through, and accountability - Comfortable using Microsoft Office, Illustrator, and PLM systems (FlexPLM experience a plus) - Detail-obsessed but able to connect the dots across the product lifecycle. - Enthusiastic about performance product, innovation, and continuous improvement - Willingness to **travel internationally** to factory locations as needed. - A passion for movement and empathy for the runner, no matter your pace or background