Quality Assurance Intern

KEEN Footwear • Portland, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

KEEN is seeking a Quality Assurance Intern for a 10-week, on-site internship at its Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. The intern will gain hands-on experience with footwear quality, working alongside industry experts and contributing to quality activities and continuous improvement. The role involves evaluating how materials, construction, fit, craftsmanship, appearance, and function come together in footwear, supporting daily quality work, and completing a summer project to improve the team's quality tools and documentation.

The internship runs Monday, June 14 through Friday, August 20. The intern must work 40 hours per week during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and be available in the office five days per week. The role is intended for a junior, senior, or graduate student pursuing a relevant degree, or a recent graduate of an accredited college or university.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in Product Development, Footwear or Apparel Design, Product Management, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university at the junior, senior, or graduate level, unless recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
• Able to work 40 hours per week during the internship, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and work on-site five days per week.
• Passion for footwear, product quality, materials, construction, and how products are made.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and document observations accurately.
• Strong organization, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Commit to the 10-week program from mid-June through mid-August and take no more than four total vacation days during the internship.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Able to learn and adapt quickly to new software and tools.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including attention to detail when preparing presentations, reports, and materials.
• Able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team.
• 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, and the outdoors.
• Interest in footwear trends and innovation.
• Creative problem-solving ability, curiosity, initiative, and eagerness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate footwear samples for quality of materials, construction, appearance, craftsmanship, and function.
• Prepare samples for quality reviews and product-testing activities.
• Help identify recurring defects or quality trends and participate in team problem-solving discussions.
• Support follow-up on quality concerns and help communicate findings to cross-functional partners.
• Assist with quality reporting, data organization, and team summaries or presentations.
• Help refresh the Quality Manual by reviewing and organizing procedures, standards, and reference materials and incorporating approved updates.
• Participate in quality reviews and cross-functional discussions about how quality requirements are applied throughout product development and production.
• Contribute to other quality-related projects and team needs as they arise.

Benefits

• Product discounts.
• Subsidized cafeteria.
• Inspiring workspace.
• Hands-on experience on meaningful projects.
• Networking opportunities with industry experts and mentors.
• Collaborative work with talented teammates and participation in a group project with other interns.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern