VF: Associate Innovation Prototype Designer - Footwear

VF Corporation•Denver, CO

2d•$60,480 - $75,600

About The Position

The Associate Innovation Prototype Designer is made for an early-career Associate Maker who is passionate about creating, learning, and developing hands-on craftsmanship skills. This role is ideal for someone recently out of school who is excited by the process of turning ideas into physical products and motivated to grow within a fast-paced footwear prototyping environment. The Associate Innovation Prototype Designer will build, modify, and refine footwear prototypes in partnership with designers, developers, and makers. They will operate and develop proficiency with industrial sewing machines, footwear construction equipment, and other prototyping tools. This role involves learning and applying footwear manufacturing techniques, materials, and construction methods, and supporting sample creation, testing, iteration, and problem-solving throughout the prototyping process. The Associate will also maintain an organized, safe, and efficient workshop environment, track work, materials, and project progress with a high level of organization and attention to detail, and embrace feedback and continuously improve technical skills and craftsmanship.

Requirements

0-2 years of experience
A strong propensity for learning and developing new skills.
Humility, curiosity, and a willingness to receive coaching and feedback.
A genuine passion for making, building, and working with your hands.
Strong self-motivation and an intrinsic desire to create and improve.
Highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks, tools, materials, and priorities effectively.
Comfortable learning and working with industrial sewing equipment, footwear construction tools, and specialized manufacturing machinery.
Strong attention to detail and pride in quality craftsmanship.
Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of individual projects.
Resilience, adaptability, and persistence when solving technical and creative challenges.
Mindset focused on making things, learning through experimentation, and developing expertise in footwear prototyping.
Organized approach.
Pride in maintaining an efficient workspace.
Asks thoughtful questions.
Seeks opportunities to improve.
Approaches every challenge with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Nice To Haves

Formal education in a related field is great to have

Responsibilities

Build, modify, and refine footwear prototypes in partnership with designers, developers, and makers.
Operate and develop proficiency with industrial sewing machines, footwear construction equipment, and other prototyping tools.
Learn and apply footwear manufacturing techniques, materials, and construction methods.
Support sample creation, testing, iteration, and problem-solving throughout the prototyping process.
Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient workshop environment.
Track work, materials, and project progress with a high level of organization and attention to detail.
Embrace feedback and continuously improve technical skills and craftsmanship.