Footwear Materials Designer

Imagine contributing to a globally recognized leader in the consumer goods industry, a company synonymous with innovation and setting trends that resonate across cultures. We are partnering with a pioneering organization that constantly pushes the boundaries of design and material science to create iconic products that captivate and inspire consumers worldwide.

This is an exhilarating opportunity to make a tangible impact, shaping the very essence of future product lines from the earliest stages of creative exploration through final production. As a materials designer, you won't just be designing; you'll be igniting the spark of innovation that defines future collections, working at the dynamic intersection of design, material science, manufacturing, performance, and consumer culture. You will be instrumental in translating bold creative visions into compelling, commercially viable footwear materials that are both technically sophisticated and visually distinctive.

What You'll Do

• Develop innovative material concepts across a broad range of footwear products and categories.
• Design and develop materials including knits, leather, suede, synthetics, wovens, and other textile constructions.
• Work across both performance and lifestyle footwear, balancing technical requirements with strong aesthetic and consumer appeal.
• Drive materials from concept and ideation through sampling, development, commercialization, and final production.
• Collaborate closely with material vendors, suppliers, factories, and product development teams to bring new materials and finishes to life.
• Translate creative concepts into practical material executions while maintaining design intent.
• Research and explore new materials, manufacturing techniques, finishes, and construction methods.
• Develop and communicate material stories through moodboards, visual research, material explorations, presentations, and prototypes.
• Create or contribute to physical samples, mockups, and 3D material applications.
• Prepare and refine material specifications and technical documentation for development and production.
• Manage multiple seasonal projects while working within tight timelines and evolving priorities.
• Present concepts and material strategies to cross-functional and external partners.
• Consider sustainability, manufacturing feasibility, quality, cost, performance, and scalability throughout the design process.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of professional experience in footwear materials design, textile design, footwear design, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise designing and developing footwear upper materials.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of knits, leather, suede, synthetics, wovens, and related material constructions.
• Experience working across both performance and lifestyle footwear.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between material design, manufacturing, sourcing, development, and production.
• Proven experience collaborating with material vendors and manufacturing partners.
• Ability to independently own projects and make thoughtful creative and technical decisions.
• Strong visual and conceptual design skills with a high level of aesthetic judgment.
• Ability to clearly communicate the story and rationale behind a design, from initial concept through final execution.
• Understanding of the broader product creation process.
• Bachelor's degree in Design, Art, Textile Design, Fashion Design, Footwear Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, or a related field-or equivalent professional experience.
• A portfolio is required, demonstrating:
  
  
  
  • Material design and innovation
  • Footwear applications
  • Range of material expertise
  • Concept development and research
  • Moodboards and visual storytelling
  • Material experimentation and iteration
  • The progression from initial concept development final execution
  • Examples demonstrating both creative thinking and technical problem-solving
  
  
  
  

Bonus Points

• Experience designing materials for athletic, performance, lifestyle, running, training, basketball, or sport-inspired products.
• Experience with material innovation and emerging manufacturing techniques.
• Experience developing 3D samples, hand-built mockups, prototypes, or physical material studies.
• Experience translating concepts from 2D design into 3D product applications.
• Strong understanding of consumer insights, trends, sport culture, and lifestyle products.
• Experience incorporating sustainability and responsible material innovation into product development.
• Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Experience presenting to senior creative leadership, cross-functional teams, vendors, or manufacturing partners.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.