Lead Advanced Technologies Engineer - HOKA Innovation

Deckers Brands•Portland, OR

2d•$108,700 - $146,700•Hybrid

About The Position

As Lead Advanced Technologies Engineer – HOKA Innovation, you will drive the execution of HOKA’s innovation pipeline by developing next-generation underfoot material systems and engineering solutions. You’ll translate innovation direction into actionable engineering work, establish technical approaches, and create scalable processes that elevate team capability and product performance. Operating with autonomy, you’ll manage multiple projects, apply advanced analytical problem solving, and help shape the future of HOKA’s product innovation. We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that in bringing our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Requirements

Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field; without a Master’s, equivalent technical work experience required.
6+ years in advanced materials or engineering systems, with experience managing projects and global partners.
Deep knowledge of underfoot systems, foam creation processes, and how foam–plate systems relate to athlete performance.
Strong analytical modeling, project management, and process development skills.

Responsibilities

Lead development of next-generation underfoot systems from concept through validated prototypes, applying materials science, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing expertise.
Build structured experimentation plans, sample matrices, and testing strategies to optimize foam systems, plate integrations, and geometries.
Independently determine engineering approaches based on testing, data, and project requirements, integrating foam chemistry, geometry tuning, and plate interactions for optimal performance.
Design and execute structured engineering studies to validate underfoot systems against defined performance targets.
Develop and refine mechanical testing methodologies, lab setups, and validation frameworks, analyzing technical drawings, lab data, and prototype learnings to inform design improvements.
Manage multiple assignments and workstreams concurrently, building clear project plans, timelines, deliverables, and success criteria aligned to functional goals.
Provide day-to-day technical guidance, training, and direction to junior engineers and project contributors.
Create and implement new procedures and processes to drive desired engineering results across material evaluation, prototyping, and validation.
Standardize workflows to improve repeatability, scalability, decision quality, and team efficiency.
Incorporate sustainability considerations into engineering decisions, material selection, and concept development, supporting evaluation and integration of lower-impact materials and processes.