Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear
About The Position
The Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear defines and drives the materials innovation strategy for Arc'teryx footwear. The role applies expertise in performance footwear materials, construction, sourcing, and testing to develop solutions for mountain athletes navigating complex terrain. It works closely with Footwear Design, Development, Engineering, Raw Materials, Advanced Concepts, Supply Chain, and external partners to translate material opportunities into high-performance outdoor footwear. The position is based in the Portland office and is expected to be performed on location. The role leads a footwear materials innovation roadmap covering short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities across uppers, textiles, foams, membranes, rubbers, reinforcements, trims, and component systems. It manages complex projects across seasons, establishes briefs and testing plans, and helps concepts progress from exploration through validation and commercialization. It also builds supplier and research partnerships, supports proprietary materials and intellectual property considerations, and advances durability, repairability, lower-impact materials, and circular design. The Footwear team develops purpose-built solutions for mountain athletes through collaboration across design, development, biomechanics, materials science, and manufacturing. The team uses immersive research and product testing to identify athlete needs and address functional challenges.
Requirements
- Degree in materials science, materials engineering, textile science, industrial design, engineering, or a related technical field.
- At least 8 years of experience in footwear, technical apparel, hardgoods, or materials innovation, including direct exposure to performance footwear materials and development.
- Proven experience managing material innovation projects, supplier relationships, and cross-functional stakeholder alignment.
- Experience working directly with footwear material suppliers, component vendors, factories, and development partners in domestic and global locations.
- Experience identifying, evaluating, and protecting proprietary material opportunities with internal and external legal teams.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate findings to both scientists and nonscientists.
- Ability to build a mindset and culture of innovation within the team and beyond.
- Strong understanding of performance footwear materials, construction, testing, fit, durability, and manufacturing constraints.
- Flexibility and adaptability in the face of ambiguity.
- Ability to balance autonomy and collaboration.
- Ability to inspire breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement.
- Passion for the work and for outdoor activities.
Responsibilities
- Create, drive, and maintain the footwear materials innovation roadmap across short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities.
- Identify, prototype, and validate new materials solutions for mountain athletes using footwear expertise, supplier networks, and research.
- Manage complex footwear materials projects across seasons and communicate progress, risks, and decisions to stakeholders.
- Define project briefs, testing plans, budgets, and deliverables to move concepts from exploration through validation and commercialization.
- Collaborate with Footwear Design, Development, Product Line Management, Raw Materials, Advanced Concepts, and Supply Chain to align innovation with athlete needs, manufacturing realities, sustainability goals, and commercialization timelines.
- Build and maintain relationships with footwear mills, foam suppliers, rubber partners, component makers, factories, startups, and academic collaborators.
- Develop strategic partnerships with suppliers, technology partners, and researchers to improve performance, comfort, durability, protection, and sustainability.
- Stay current with footwear manufacturing and material technologies, including textiles, nonwovens, membranes, coatings, foams, rubbers, reinforcements, bonding methods, waterproof-breathable systems, and finishing technologies.
- Partner with testing, lab, and field validation teams to define material performance requirements and turn learnings into material improvements.
- Support proprietary footwear materials, exclusivity opportunities, and intellectual property considerations with Legal and cross-functional teams.
- Partner with Innovation Management and Footwear leadership on research, engineering, supplier, and funding opportunities.
- Drive initiatives that improve footwear durability and repairability and advance lower-impact material choices and sustainable, circular design.
- Partner with Footwear Design & Development and Advanced Concepts to develop a multi-year materials roadmap with priority technologies, supplier partnerships, testing milestones, and athlete validation plans.
- Travel nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaboration.
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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
