Footwear Design Intern, Inline - Fall 2026

Brooks Running • Seattle, WA

6d • $31 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a 6-month internship opportunity at Brooks Running's Seattle HQ offices, designed to provide hands-on, meaningful work experience to enhance education and professional aptitude. Interns will gain exposure to real work and projects alongside Brooks employees and leadership. The program involves 6 months of learning, professional development, and exposure to the Brooks brand and culture. The internship has a target start date of July 13, 2026, with a compensation of $31.00 per hour, a schedule of 40 hours per week, and is located in Seattle, HQ. There is a possibility of a 6-month extension based on performance and feedback. The intern will support the creation of innovative footwear concepts under the guidance of the Footwear Design team, gaining exposure to all aspects of the product creation process, including construction, color, form, style, detail, fit, performance, and cost/value considerations. The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional product creation partners, building foundational design skills, and contributing to real-world projects. The intern will develop a strong understanding of the footwear design process and create a portfolio reflecting creative growth and product creation knowledge. A key part of the experience will be completing an individual design project under the guidance of a Senior Footwear Designer, with project details determined by interests, development goals, and business needs. The intern will present their project to the Footwear Design team at the conclusion of the internship, showcasing their design process, storytelling, and final concept.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled as a junior or above in a university (or equivalent degree program) majoring in Product Design, Industrial Design, Footwear Design, or a related field.
• Demonstrated talent in sketching and concept development.
• Strong portfolio showcasing innovative thinking and a passion for performance footwear design.
• Solid understanding of color, materials, texture, human factors, and form in product design.
• High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Strong attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution, while understanding how individual design decisions impact the overall product.
• Ability to anticipate how design decisions affect customers, partners, products, and cross-functional teams, connecting the broader system across the organization.
• Demonstrated innovation and initiative, with a drive to improve products and processes while remaining hands-on and detail-oriented.
• Must be able to collaborate in a team-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with 3D design software is a plus.
• Previous performance footwear design experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, plastics, and other engineering materials is a plus.
• Experience using AI for ideation support or brainstorming desired.
• Passion for sport is a plus, with a strong ability to understand and empathize with runners to build meaningful connections with the Brooks community.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Development and Product Line Management partners to support the creation of innovative running footwear that resonates with runners and reflects the Brooks “Let’s Run There†spirit.
• Seek and apply feedback from cross-functional partners to develop design solutions that balance cost/value, fit, performance, manufacturability, sustainability, merchandising, and aesthetic execution.
• Build knowledge of the running consumer and running culture to help inform product performance, appearance, and design opportunities across categories, customer segments or emerging trends.
• Analyze pre-line feedback from Sales, Marketing, Merchandising, and other partners to better understand consumer needs and support brand alignment.
• Create hand sketches, digital renderings, and presentation materials to clearly communicate and present design concepts.
• Support the exploration and development of footwear concepts through research, ideation, and iterative design work.
• Apply feedback and learned techniques to strengthen design solutions and continue building design craft and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Compensation: $31.00

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern