Senior Footwear Developer

R.A.D • Portland, OR

5d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Senior Footwear Developer at R.A.D®, you will own the complete technical product creation process, from pre-seasonal exploration and design through prototyping, in-line development, commercialization, and production readiness. You are the technical backbone of the product creation process, ensuring every detail is executed with precision from concept to shelf. This role is built for a hands-on senior developer who takes deep pride in their craft, thrives in a fast-moving startup environment, and can own a product all the way through. Reports to the Footwear Development Director. Based in our Portland studio, full-time, on-site.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in footwear product creation and development with demonstrated technical depth across construction, tooling, fit, and costing
• Advanced knowledge of footwear manufacturing, construction methods, mold making, and tooling development
• Proven track record of bringing performance footwear to market from concept through production
• Experience collaborating with liaison office or in-country development teams
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage timelines, competing priorities, and cross-functional dependencies
• Experience traveling to overseas factories and manufacturing vendors
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Adobe Illustrator, and 3D viewing software

Responsibilities

• Manage prototype rounds from initial samples through final approval, maintaining clear records of revisions and decisions at each stage
• Partner with design to ensure prototype output accurately reflects creative intent while remaining technically executable
• Drive the transition from approved prototype to in-line development, ensuring all technical details are locked and clearly communicated to factory partners
• Manage commercialization efforts in collaboration with the liaison office (LO) team to confirm products are technically proven, tested, and ready for mass production, on time and at target cost
• Remain engaged through production, diagnosing and resolving issues as they arise to protect product integrity and minimize disruption.
• Lead and execute all aspects of construction development, including upper construction, bottom tooling systems, and tooling specification
• Own the development and approval of all tooling, including molds and footbeds, ensuring alignment with design intent, performance requirements, and manufacturing capabilities
• Maintain detailed, accurate tech packages, blueprints, and shell patterns throughout all development milestones
• Manage the creation, delivery, and approval of all technical assets, including 2D/3D tooling files, part files, and component specifications
• Apply deep expertise in construction methods, mold making, and footwear manufacturing processes to solve technical challenges and optimize shoe builds
• Evaluate and recommend construction solutions that balance design integrity, performance, cost, and manufacturability
• Lead all fit and wear testing throughout the development process, from early prototypes through final production samples
• Establish and manage fit standards for each product, document feedback clearly, and translate it into actionable technical corrections
• Identify and fix fit, wear, and construction problems quickly and accurately at each development stage
• Ensure all products meet performance and quality standards and are fully validated for mass production
• Own and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs) across all development phases, ensuring completeness and alignment with approved specifications
• Work with factory partners and the LO team to develop accurate cost estimates at each milestone, identifying optimization opportunities through construction, component, or process adjustments without compromising quality
• Participate in costing negotiations with an eye toward achieving target margin goals, flagging risks, and proposing alternatives when targets are at risk
• Work cross-functionally with the Lead Materials Developer to ensure material selections align with construction requirements, performance targets, cost goals, and production timelines, providing manufacturing and construction context to inform decisions
• Collaborate closely with our LO team, providing project-level technical direction to ensure factory execution stays aligned with development milestones and product intent
• Serve as the primary project resource for the LO team, communicating priorities, technical specifications, and updates needed to keep manufacturing partners on track
• Travel internationally as needed to support key development milestones, resolve complex technical challenges on the ground, and strengthen factory relationships

Benefits

• Collaborative global culture that values performance, innovation, and sustainability
• Dynamic, performance-driven work environment with direct impact on global products
• Competitive salary and performance bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous employee discount
• 20 days paid time off
• Quarterly Power of Movement allowance — put it toward a gym membership, race entry, or whatever keeps you moving
• A small team building serious product. An underdog with something to prove.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed