Material Development Intern - HOKA Footwear

Deckers•Portland, OR

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us. The Role As a Materials Development Intern for HOKA Footwear, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting the material development team throughout the product creation process. You’ll work closely with both material development and design teams, assisting with material organization, supplier coordination, sample tracking, and material studio management. This is a unique opportunity to learn about footwear construction, supplier partnerships, and the journey from concept to commercialization—all while contributing to the performance and sustainability goals of HOKA. 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 when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Textile Science/Development, Textile Engineering, Product Development, or a related field.
0-2+ years relevant work experience, which may include footwear product creation, material development, engineering, or science.
Basic understanding or strong interest in footwear materials and construction, including textiles, synthetics, and manufacturing methods.
Familiarity with tools such as Excel, Adobe Illustrator, PowerPoint, or similar platforms for organizing data and communicating ideas.
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to follow through on assigned tasks.
Collaborative mindset—comfortable working with cross-functional teams and taking direction from more experienced team members.
Eagerness to learn how to interpret design intent and apply materials to footwear performance needs.
Interest in growing technical knowledge around testing, sustainability, footwear development, and material performance.
Awareness of insights and trends for the footwear industry or comparable industries.

Responsibilities

Assist the material development team with daily operational tasks supporting seasonal footwear material development.
Coordinate with suppliers to order, track, and receive material samples for development projects.
Organize and maintain the HOKA Material Studio, including swatching, labeling, cataloging, and archiving materials.
Track sample deliveries to ensure materials arrive on time for development gates and sample rounds.
Help maintain accurate material records in internal systems such as PLM.
Compile and organize foundational palettes aligned with performance, sustainability, and aesthetic goals.
Support seasonal material research by gathering samples, competitive benchmarks, and trend references.
Provide general administrative and operational support to the material development team.