Junior Material Developer Intern

KEEN Footwear • Portland, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Junior Material Developer Intern will contribute to footwear material development at KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. The intern will create material mood boards that bring design stories to life, source and develop selected materials and upper components, collaborate with suppliers to provide direction and monitor progress, and test materials against QPS standards for quality and performance. The role also includes researching trends, maintaining and organizing the material library, translating design ideas into technical specifications, and documenting seasonal material specifications.

The internship is an on-site, 10-week program running from June 14 through August 20. Interns work 40 hours per week during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, and may take no more than four total vacation days. Occasional travel in and around the Portland area may be required to support activations.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, or a related field.
• Be enrolled at an accredited college or university at the Junior, Senior, or Graduate level, or have recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Commit to the 10-week program from mid-June through mid-August.
• Work 40 hours per week during the standard Monday–Friday work week and be available to work on-site five days per week.
• Plan no more than four total vacation days during the internship.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Be able to learn and adapt quickly to new software and tools.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Show strong attention to detail when preparing presentations, reports, and materials.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team.
• Be able to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation, including using a computer for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

• Passion for creativity, sustainability, the outdoors, footwear trends, and innovation.
• A creative, detail-oriented approach and an ability to solve problems.
• Proactive curiosity, initiative, and eagerness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Research trends and create material mood boards.
• Maintain and organize the material library.
• Translate design ideas into technical specifications.
• Document seasonal material specifications.
• Source and develop selected materials and upper components.
• Collaborate with suppliers, provide direction, and monitor progress.
• Test materials against QPS standards to ensure quality and performance.
• Support activations through occasional travel in and around the larger Portland area.

Benefits

• Product discounts.
• Subsidized cafeteria.
• Inspiring workspace.
• Hands-on experience on real-world projects.
• Opportunities to collaborate with teammates and participate in a group project with other interns.
• Networking opportunities with industry experts and mentors.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern