Designer II Running Footwear

PUMA•Boston, MA

6d•$62,700 - $83,500

About The Position

Help shape the future of PUMA Performance Running. As a Footwear Designer 2, you will translate athlete insights, biomechanics, emerging technologies, and PUMA's design direction into distinctive, high-performing footwear. Working across race day, speed, cushioning, stability, and trail, you will balance performance, aesthetics, engineering, manufacturability, and commercial opportunity to create products that move runners and the brand forward. This role is for a curious, hands-on designer who challenges conventions, develops multiple solutions, and turns complex performance needs into clear, compelling product experiences. You will work closely with athletes, runners, and our global product creation team to bring ideas from initial brief through commercialization.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Industrial / Product Design, Footwear Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
2-4 years of professional footwear design experience, including demonstrated experience in technical Performance Running footwear or a closely related performance category.
A portfolio demonstrating original Performance Running concepts, athlete-led problem-solving, technical execution, compelling storytelling, and products developed toward commercialization.
Strong understanding of foot anatomy, running biomechanics, athlete needs, footwear fit, and the different demands of road, race day, cushioning, stability, and trail products.
Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, prototyping, manufacturing processes, product creation timelines, costing, and design for commercialization.
Excellent 2D sketching, rendering, visualization, technical-package, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint and other standard business tools.
Working knowledge of, or a strong desire to develop proficiency in, 3D and emerging design tools such as digital prototyping, and responsible AI-supported workflows.
Physical prototyping and hands-on model-making capability, with the ability to demonstrate and evaluate ideas in tangible form.
Ability to present confidently to senior leadership, collaborate across disciplines and cultures, receive critique, and iterate quickly without losing sight of the design vision.
Genuine curiosity about runners, athlete performance, running culture, emerging technologies, and the evolving needs of the global running community.
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed for athlete sessions, races, development reviews, factories, suppliers, trade shows, and team events; approximately 15% annually.

Responsibilities

Own the design execution of assigned Performance Running footwear projects from product brief and initial concept through technical package completion and commercialization.
Partner with Product Line Management to interpret and strengthen briefs, identifying athlete needs, consumer opportunities, performance objectives, and commercial priorities.
Research project needs and generate multiple concept solutions across midsole, outsole, upper construction, materials and complete product expression.
Communicate design intent through concept boards, hand sketches, 2D drawings, AI generated design, physical prototypes, digital models, and clear product storytelling.
Create detailed performance tech packs, upper specifications, midsole and outsole blueprints, tooling direction, color and material specifications, and factory-ready design documentation.
Use 2D and 3D tools to increase the clarity, fidelity, and speed of design concepts for both internal validation and factory execution.
Create innovative and commercially viable products that balance athlete benefit, design intent, fit, function, manufacturability, quality, costing, sustainability, and category opportunity.
Integrate seasonal color, material, and performance trends while maintaining a performance-first approach and a recognizable PUMA Running expression.
Apply and help evolve the PUMA Performance Running design ethos, creating consistency across the portfolio while giving each franchise a distinct performance expression.
Prepare and deliver compelling physical and digital presentations that show the exploratory process, athlete insight, product narrative, color, materials, finishes, and final design recommendation.
Confidently present concepts and design solutions to creative leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, gaining alignment while receiving and applying constructive feedback.
Contribute thoughtful critique, original ideas, and fresh perspectives during design reviews, seasonal creative direction work, and collaborative workshops.
Stay closely connected to runners, run culture, the marketplace, and the competitive landscape to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
Participate in athlete interviews, wear tests, fit reviews, product assessments, market research, and prototype reviews to deepen understanding of performance needs.
Translate qualitative and quantitative athlete feedback, biomechanical insights, and testing data into meaningful design improvements.
Collaborate with Footwear Design, Color and Materials, Product Line Management, Development, Testing Product Operations, Marketing, and Sales to create aligned product propositions.
Work with Product Line Management on product strategy, consumer insights, category opportunities, briefs, and commercial decision-making.
Partner closely with Development, factory, sourcing, and material partners to resolve construction, fit, material, costing, and manufacturing challenges while maintaining design fidelity.
Manage multiple projects across overlapping seasons, balancing shifting priorities while meeting all design milestones and maintaining a high standard of quality.
Maintain accurate project information, technical files, design documentation, and milestone deliverables throughout the seasonal process.