Sr. Designer, Performance Footwear - HOKA

Deckers Brands • Portland, OR

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Senior Designer, Performance Footwear for HOKA, you’ll be a creative leader driving the future of performance footwear. You’ll design innovative, technical products that empower athletes and elevate the HOKA brand. Your work will challenge convention, embrace diverse perspectives, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in athletic footwear. You’ll bring clarity, craft, and momentum to the design process, shaping the next generation of performance experiences. 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

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in design (Product, Industrial, or equivalent experience)
• Bring 5+ years of footwear design experience, ideally in performance product
• Have a strong command of Illustrator, Photoshop, Vizcom, and generative AI visualization tools
• Possess deep understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Move fluidly between concept, craft, and technical execution, and receive and apply feedback with openness and intent
• Have prototyping or hands-on footwear build experience
• Demonstrate strong storytelling skills and comfort presenting design vision to diverse audiences
• Bring a collaborative mindset with the confidence to push ideas forward while bringing others along

Nice To Haves

• 3D design experience and designing athlete-driven footwear

Responsibilities

• Design forward-thinking performance footwear that blends innovation, function, and HOKA’s unique design DNA
• Translate athlete and consumer insights into compelling concepts and product solutions
• Explore new materials, constructions, and aesthetics to bring meaningful newness to performance product
• Contribute to category design strategy and seasonal direction, shaping progressive performance narratives
• Create inspiring, memorable design stories that bring ideas to life
• Develop accurate illustrations, 2D drawings, renderings, and tech packs to carry concepts through to production
• Collaborate closely with Product, Development, Materials, Color, and PLM partners to create best-in-class footwear
• Lead multiple projects from concept through commercialization with clarity, flexibility, and accountability
• Review and refine prototypes with cross-functional partners, balancing design vision, performance, cost, and timelines
• Present work with confidence and clarity in both informal team settings and formal reviews
• Travel to Asia-based manufacturing partners to collaborate on prototyping and refine design intent
• Mentor and support junior designers through thoughtful feedback, coaching, and shared learning
• Inspire the design team with new thinking and diverse perspectives, fostering creativity through a proactive, forward-moving mindset
• Build strong relationships across teams through transparency, listening, and alignment
• Lead by example through craft, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset

Benefits

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We’ve created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they’re valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That’s why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There’s nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees