Footwear Developer I

Under Armour•Baltimore, MD

54d•$65,000 - $90,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Developer 1 – Footwear supports footwear product development from the brief stage through production confirmation (buy ready). The role builds and supports cross-functional footwear teams to deliver fit, comfort, performance, and quality, applying footwear development best practices and standards. It finds technical solutions, works to cost targets, aligns products with Under Armour’s sustainability strategy, and supports product integrity and consumer satisfaction. The position leads multiple projects across design, development, costing, and commercialization; coordinates development against seasonal critical dates; and works with design, development, manufacturing, and supplier partners to make products manufacturable and meet cost, quality, and performance goals. It also creates technical packages and product documentation, maintains bills of materials and development information in Centric, uses VR production creation during sample rounds, and collaborates on product integrity and fit-and-comfort testing. The role is hybrid and requires four days per week in the Baltimore, Maryland office. The employee must live within commuting distance. Support for Asia development travel may be needed. Relocation may be provided up to a specified amount. Under Armour does not offer employment-based work authorization sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with typically 2 years of related experience, a master’s degree without experience, or typically 6 years of relevant experience without a degree.
Advanced knowledge of footwear product development and manufacturing.
Experience traveling and working with footwear manufacturers.
Ability to work professionally and efficiently across teams, including Sales, Marketing, Production, and Operations.
Strong understanding of working methods and cultural norms in source countries.
Ability to critique, adjust, and evaluate outsole, midsole, and upper technical blueprints, upper patterns, and materials for performance, manufacturing, and functional considerations.
Experience with Microsoft Suite, Adobe Illustrator or a 3D viewer, and Centric.
Must reside within commuting distance of the Baltimore, Maryland office.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Footwear, Biomechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Use advanced skills in pattern engineering and understand related costing and quality implications, model making, part drawings, drafting, 2D documentation, 3D, mold making, materials, customs, patents, and manufacturing processes.
Lead and manage multiple projects from brief through design, development, costing, and commercialization.
Plan and execute project development according to seasonal critical dates to deliver sales samples and production confirmation on time.
Apply in-depth manufacturing process knowledge to advance techniques that improve product performance.
Consult with design and development teammates to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet organizational cost and quality objectives.
Support Asia development trips as necessary to work with manufacturers and suppliers on development projects.
Recommend and specify materials, components, and construction options that meet pricing targets and functional goals, and support product performance integrity through physical and field testing.
Initiate and lead product-team meetings throughout development to review progress, update plans, and drive decisions toward on-time production confirmation and margin goals.
Provide seasonal technical packages for assigned projects, including midsole/outsole blueprints, upper pattern packages, color maps, and project specifications.
Create and maintain bills of materials and fulfill development requirements in the Centric system.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams using VR production creation as part of sample rounds.
Participate in product presentations and reviews at seasonal sales meetings with retail partners and internal teams.
Collaborate with the category wear-test analyst to manage product integrity, fit, and comfort throughout development.