Sr. Director, Product Development & Engineering - HOKA Innovation

Deckers•Portland, OR

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us. The Role As Sr. Director, Product Development and Engineering – HOKA Innovation, you will lead the product operations function within HOKA Innovation, driving engineering, product development, advanced technology creation, sports science, product testing, and local prototyping. You will deliver innovative footwear and apparel concepts, as well as advanced technologies across components, materials, and manufacturing methods. As a key member of the HOKA Innovation leadership team, you will help shape the future direction of HOKA products and oversee global innovation teams, strategic partners, and creation centers. 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

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field required; post‑graduate degree preferred.
12+ years of progressive experience in footwear and/or apparel product development within a global organization.
Demonstrated experience leading technical product creation, including engineering, materials, manufacturing methods, and product testing.
4+ years of people leadership experience, managing and developing technical teams and/or complex cross‑functional programs.
Proven track record of delivering innovative product and technology outcomes within innovation and/or inline product development environments.
Experience working with global development partners, including Asia‑based innovation, development, and manufacturing teams.
Deep knowledge of footwear and/or apparel construction, materials, and manufacturing processes.
Strong technical capability in product engineering, prototyping, and test‑and‑learn development methodologies.
Strategic thinking with the ability to translate innovation vision into executable roadmaps and development plans.
Organizational management skills, providing direction to expert team leads and fostering positive team culture, passion, and career development.
Effective cross‑functional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

post‑graduate degree preferred

Responsibilities

Lead an industry-class innovation engineering and development organization, setting the standard for product build, engineering, and proactive problem solving.
Enable the broader innovation team to build, learn, and grow through physical sampling and hands-on experimentation.
Manage, motivate, and enable career growth for an expert technical team, fostering a culture of passion and development.
Oversee and manage advanced technology roadmaps and project portfolios, aligning technology opportunities and projects to innovation and business needs.
Scout and onboard advanced technology vendors into the Deckers supply chain, expanding our innovation ecosystem.
Incorporate sports science and product testing as central elements of the innovation process, championing bespoke test methods and applied research.
Build and manage the Portland Maker Space to inspire product teams and accelerate creation, integrating industry best practices in rapid prototyping.