Footwear Designer II

Wilson Sporting Goods Co.•Portland, OR

21h•$110,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Wilson, we are here to empower every human to live like an athlete. Passion. Creativity. Integrity. Teamwork. Ambition. Innovation. These are the qualities that have made Wilson Sporting Goods Co. the number one sports equipment brand in the world. We come together to win, grow, and celebrate. We all play for Team Wilson. We all have a role to play within our organization and are working towards the same goal. One team, one dream. We believe that being an athlete isn’t something you do, it’s who you are. It’s a universal code of conduct, a way of seeing the world and how you show up every day. We seek out diverse voices and welcome all perspectives. Our team is composed of individuals with unique backgrounds, points of view and experiences. These perspectives create a rich and diverse culture in which we learn from one another through empathy and inclusion. Evolving the sports world and being the best partner for players, athletes, and our community is no small task. We are continually looking to add enthusiastic, ambitious, team-first individuals who desire to make a difference —and who love to help others win. Together, we will create a better world through sport. Join us. The Footwear Designer II is a mid‑level contributor responsible for driving creative concepts, elevating design execution, and partnering cross‑functionally to bring innovative, athlete‑centered footwear products to market. This role requires strong design acumen, a refined aesthetic point of view, and growing technical fluency in footwear construction and materials.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Footwear Design, Fashion Design, or related field. and 3+ years of experience in footwear design or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with hands-on experience using AI design/rendering tools (including MidJourney and Vizcom) and familiarity with 3D programs to support concept development and visualization.
Strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, and component selection.
Ability to translate creative ideas into manufacturable design solutions.
Strong aesthetic judgment and attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across functions and cultures.
Curiosity, innovation mindset, and a passion for solving athlete problems through design.

Responsibilities

Independently generate compelling seasonal concepts, sketches, and 2D/3D renderings that support category creative direction.
Contribute original ideas that push innovation while remaining grounded in consumer insights and brand identity.
Translate creative concepts into manufacturable design solutions in partnership with Development, Product Line Management, and CMF teams.
Create accurate technical drawings, spec packages, and design documentation.
Support prototype creation and participate in fit and wear test reviews, providing clear, actionable design feedback.
Conduct trend, material, and consumer research to inform color, silhouette, and design language decisions.
Build mood boards and category specific inspiration to influence seasonal design direction.
Work closely with Product Line Managers, Developers, CMF Designers, and Sourcing teams to ensure design intent is maintained through all development stages.
Work fluidly with Asia development partners on sampling rounds, timelines, and material execution.
Present design concepts to Senior Designers and Directors for feedback.
Participate in sample reviews, addressing issues related to fit, proportion, color, and material selection.
Ensure design files, references, and product documentation are organized and maintained in shared systems.
Produce high-quality 2D/3D renderings and presentation visuals using Illustrator/Photoshop and AI-assisted tools (e.g., MidJourney, Vizcom, and other emerging AI tools) as a key part of the design process.