Designer 2 - Footwear Innovation
About The Position
As a Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation, you will contribute to exploring, creating, and validating future footwear solutions that advance Arc’teryx’s product vision. You will help identify athlete needs, develop experimental concepts, build prototypes, test new materials and constructions, and translate insights into innovation opportunities for the footwear category. The role supports the creation of a distinctive Arc’teryx footwear identity by connecting mountain utility, technical problem solving, material innovation, fit, durability, and commercial potential. It suits a curious, hands-on problem solver who thrives in ambiguity, learns through making, and collaborates to turn emerging ideas into meaningful product possibilities. The role is based at the Portland office and is expected to be performed on location. The Arc’teryx Footwear team develops innovative, technical products designed to exceed the needs of core mountain athletes. The team uses immersive research and collaborative building, testing, and validation to solve real functional challenges and redefine the industry. The designer will contribute to a future footwear innovation pipeline and help develop signature innovation platforms and product concepts. Work may explore fit, protection, traction, climate comfort, weight reduction, durability, repairability, and adaptable performance systems, in collaboration with Arc’teryx athletes, field testers, and external innovation partners.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, Innovation, Engineering, or equivalent industry experience.
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience in footwear innovation, footwear design, product innovation, technical product development, or a related field.
- Strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, components, tooling, prototyping methods, and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to turn insights, product problems, and technical questions into experiments, prototypes, and learnings.
- Ability to create concept boards, sketches, mockups, prototypes, test plans, and documentation that communicate innovation intent clearly.
- Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and other tools used to communicate footwear concepts, specifications, and prototype direction.
- Strong curiosity and hands-on making skills, with a bias toward testing, learning, and iteration.
- Ability to take direction, work independently, and collaborate across functions.
- Flexibility and adaptability when working through ambiguity and unknowns.
- Ability to balance autonomy and collaboration while contributing to breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement.
- Passion for getting outdoors and living the activities the products support.
- Strong knowledge of Arc’teryx products and the activities Arc’teryx makes products for.
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Support exploration of future footwear innovation opportunities through athlete insight, field observation, product research, trend awareness, and competitive analysis.
- Translate research, performance problems, and user needs into early concepts, prototypes, experiments, and product hypotheses.
- Help build and evolve a distinct Arc’teryx footwear innovation identity across fit, ride, traction, protection, durability, materials, construction, and mountain utility.
- Create sketches, concept boards, mockups, prototypes, test samples, material explorations, and visual storytelling to communicate new footwear possibilities.
- Translate concepts into detailed tech packs that clearly communicate complex constructions to manufacturing partners.
- Build, test, and iterate footwear prototypes to validate comfort, fit, performance, durability, construction, and usability in real outdoor conditions.
- Work with material and development partners to investigate materials, components, tooling approaches, construction methods, and manufacturing possibilities.
- Document experiments, learnings, product hypotheses, prototype intent, testing feedback, and next steps to support decision-making through the innovation process.
- Stay current with developments in footwear, biomechanics, materials, manufacturing, outdoor equipment, and adjacent industries.
- Contribute to a future footwear innovation pipeline supporting product, process, athlete experience, and commercial opportunity.
- Help develop signature innovation platforms and product concepts that strengthen Arc’teryx’s footwear point of view in the market.
- Collaborate with Arc’teryx athletes, field testers, and external innovation partners to gather insight and prototype solutions for future mountain footwear needs.
Benefits
- Extended health coverage, including mental health support, fertility benefits, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Immediately vested 401(k) retirement savings plan matching.
- Eligibility for the Arc’teryx Annual Incentive Plan.
- Access to the Employee Stock Purchase Program, where applicable.
- Paid time off.
- No Wasted Day program with dedicated paid days to get outside and explore.
- Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, including an option to ease the transition back to work.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Arc’teryx Academies outdoor skill-building events.
- Employee Belonging Councils.
- Employee discounts and Pro Deals on gear.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
