Manager, Footwear Engineering

Job description

MANAGER, FOOTWEAR ENGINEERING San Francisco, CA At Rothy’s, we know there’s a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 225 million single-use plastic bottles and 715,000 pounds of ocean-bound marine plastic have been transformed into our signature thread, creating wardrobe staples that look just as good as they feel. Striving for zero waste, we combine 3D knitting technology and handcrafted assembly to create machine washable styles that don’t compromise on comfort. From classic shoes to carry-everywhere bags, we create essentials for wherever you go. At Rothy’s, building a sustainable future is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment at our HQ, retail stores and wholly-owned factory, and are growing our community every day. ABOUT THE TEAM: Our Production team is always one step ahead. While many teams are responsible for responding to moments in the present, this one looks toward the future. From finessing the production of our silhouettes to developing new materials, our production gurus work hand-in-hand with our factory team, sustainability, merchandising and design partners to make sure the wheels of Rothy’s keep turning on our quest for a more sustainable future. ABOUT THE ROLE: Rothy’s is seeking a Manager, Footwear Engineering to lead the development and application of fit, wear-testing, and consumer insight strategies across our footwear portfolio. This role is both analytical and hands-on, translating consumer feedback, testing data, and technical evaluation into clear product recommendations that improve fit, comfort, performance, and commercialization outcomes. WHAT YOU’LL DO: - Create and implement a streamlined, scalable approach for leveraging quantitative and qualitative consumer data to inform product development, fit decisions, and commercialization strategies - Synthesize wear test results, lab testing, and consumer feedback into clear, actionable insights that influence product, fit standards, and future development direction - Establish and continuously improve best-in-class product testing methodologies for existing styles, new silhouettes, and emerging categories, with a focus on knit footwear - Explore and implement alternative testing methods to support an increasing volume of tests each season while maintaining rigor and relevance - Partner with Product Development and Design teams to identify opportunities to refine and enhance the existing assortment through fact-based product insights - Analyze primary and secondary research to inform fit improvements, material choices, construction updates, and commercialization readiness - Prioritize key fit, wear, and performance risks to ensure a smooth and timely transition from development into production - Act as a technical partner during commercialization, ensuring product readiness aligns with consumer expectations and brand standards - Collaborate closely with Marketing to translate consumer insights, testing results, and product benefits into compelling, authentic product stories - Partner with cross-functional teams to understand research needs and define clear wear test objectives, success criteria, timelines, and deliverables - Leverage consumer insights, market research, and analytics to identify growth opportunities and support broader brand and product initiatives - Strategically recruit, manage, and grow relationships with internal and external wear test participants, including core consumers and target segments - Build and maintain connections with key brand advocates and influencers in local and high-growth markets to support testing and insight generation - Build, document, and maintain official wear testing protocols for internal and external groups, ensuring consistency, quality, and scalability - Establish and maintain regular communication with Asia-based factory partners, sharing key consumer insights, testing outcomes, and product learnings - Ensure factory teams are informed and aligned on fit, wear, and performance expectations to support future development and continuous improvement YOU ARE: - Highly analytical with a strong ability to translate data into practical product decisions - Comfortable operating at the intersection of consumer insight, technical evaluation, and product development - A proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment - Collaborative and effective at working across technical, creative, and commercial teams - Clear, structured, and persuasive in communication, both written and verbal - Detail-oriented with strong organizational and follow-through skills - Curious, consumer-obsessed, and motivated to improve product experiences - Establishes proactive and consistent communication and feedback with their team - Provides continuous feedback to team and individual development, and holds everyone accountable for meeting these expectations - Willing and able to travel domestically (1–3 times per year) and internationally (as needed) YOU HAVE: - 6–8 years of experience in footwear technical engineering, fit & wear testing, product research, or commercialization; knit footwear experience strongly preferred - Bachelor’s degree in engineering, biomechanics, kinesiology, product development, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience) - Strong understanding of knit footwear construction, materials, fit systems, and performance testing - Experience designing and managing wear testing programs and interpreting lab and consumer data - Proven ability to synthesize research findings into clear product and business recommendations - Experience partnering with Asia-based factories or vendors - Strong systems and tools proficiency, including PLM and Google Sheets/Docs/Slides; data visualization or analytics tools a plus OUR BENEFITS: - Generous paid time off - 401k matching - Comprehensive health plans for you and your family - Supplemental mental health benefits - Monthly wellness reimbursement - Dog friendly offices - Employee Discount Program! PAY RANGE: $122,000 - $156,000 annually Base pay is one part of the total rewards package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work. This role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, as well as a comprehensive benefits package. Please see our Privacy Policy here https://rothys.com/pages/privacy-policy