Senior Designer - Footwear (Performance)

ARC'TERYX•Portland, OR

1d•$107,000 - $141,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Designer - Footwear designs and develops advanced footwear products aligned with Arc’teryx design philosophies and the evolving needs of mountain athletes. The role supports the long-term vision and design strategy for the Footwear category, helping establish a distinctive footwear identity that connects technical innovation, mountain utility, brand expression, and commercial relevance. The designer imagines and develops innovative, relevant footwear that addresses user needs and supports business growth through collaborative, user-centered design. This position is based at the Portland office and is expected to be performed on location. The Footwear team creates technical products for outdoor athletes through research, building, testing, and validation. The role includes travel nationally and internationally for an average of 35% of the time. The designer leads assigned seasonal collection and project work from ideation through delivery; develops concepts, tech packs, patterns, mock-ups, and prototypes; and supplies the Product Creation Development team with detailed product information. The role collaborates closely with product, development, merchandising, commercial, raw materials, colour, leadership, athlete, and overseas teams. It also supports product strategy, mentoring, manufacturing and material innovation, production changes, and sustainability initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial/Product Design, or equivalent industry experience.
At least 7 years of hands-on experience designing performance footwear.
Thorough understanding of footwear manufacturing processes.
Meticulous attention to detail and ability to design a cohesive footwear collection.
Hands-on experience creating tools and construction methods.
Excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Proactive approach to identifying root causes and seeking the best solutions, with a commitment to doing what is right.
Flexibility and adaptability when faced with ambiguity.
Ability to balance autonomy and collaboration effectively.
Ability to inspire breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement.
Passion for the work and for getting outside and living it.
Strong intuition for the activities the products are designed for.
Ability to travel nationally and internationally for an average of 35% of the time.

Responsibilities

Execute design needs for assigned collections and projects within the seasonal offering.
Support stage gates, meetings, presentations, and long-term strategy work.
Help build and evolve a clear footwear design identity across form, fit, function, materials, and brand expression.
Partner with PLM, Development, Merchandising, and Commercial teams to identify and build product drivers that balance athlete needs, brand leadership, and business growth.
Build working relationships with immediate, cross-functional, and overseas teams, communicating clearly and frequently about design, athletes, and guests.
Use research, observation, and iterative user-centered design to serve mountain athletes and broader guest needs.
Drive the design process from ideation and concept through to the guest.
Support the execution of new technologies, materials, constructions, and design-for-manufacturing techniques.
Use athlete and user feedback to improve initial design proposals.
Mentor designers, developers, and new teammates by sharing skills, knowledge, and experience.
Create and visually communicate concepts, tech packs, patterns, mock-ups, and prototypes, and present work at internal stage gates and meetings as needed.
Provide the Product Creation Development team with detailed product tech packs, including specification drawings, patterns, fits, materials, and colour information.
Collaborate with the Raw Materials team to source, develop, and test new materials.
Maintain a thorough understanding of existing Arc’teryx materials and manufacturing techniques.
Collaborate with other designers to define and build new and improved toolbox solutions.
Stay current with industry trends.
Assist with product design changes and address in-line production needs as required.
Collaborate with the Colour team on end-use needs, material considerations, and feedback.
Adhere to Arc’teryx sustainability design principles and drive future initiatives suited to footwear.
Help reimagine technical footwear for mountain athletes and contribute to a new footwear chapter focused on product, process, and team.
Build signature footwear concepts and commercial product drivers that establish a distinct footwear identity in the market.
Collaborate with Arc’teryx athletes, industry representatives, and the Footwear leadership team on product solutions, responsibilities, workload, and product plans.

Benefits

Extended health coverage, including mental health support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.
Dental and vision coverage.
Fertility benefits.
Immediately vested 401(k) retirement savings plan matching.
Eligibility for the Arc’teryx Annual Incentive Plan.
Access to the Employee Stock Purchase Program, where applicable.
Paid time off.
No Wasted Day program, with dedicated paid days to get outside and explore.
Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, including an option to ease the transition back to work.
Professional development opportunities.
Arc’teryx Academies outdoor skill-building events.
Employee Belonging Councils.
Employee discounts and Pro Deals on gear.