Footwear Designer

Footwear Materials Designer – On-Site, Beaverton (Hybrid 4:1)
Contract – Covering FTE Leave in Footwear Materials & Flyknit Design

This role focuses on creating innovative, visually compelling materials and curating existing ones for use in various footwear projects. The designer will blend creative vision with technical knowledge to develop materials that enhance the aesthetic, performance, and functionality of footwear products.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and style materials that align with performance and lifestyle footwear needs.

• Collaborate with project teams to understand functional specs, end use, and target consumer.

• Build materials solutions that elevate product storytelling—drawing from trend, material properties, and consumer insights.

• Present material palettes, concepts, and mood boards to stakeholders at key review points.

• Use digital design tools to create and refine material concepts.

• Develop physical prototypes and hand samples using sewing machines, heat presses, screen printing, and more, as needed per project.

• Work cross-functionally to ensure material integration aligns with overall design intent.

• Consider manufacturing processes, cost, and sustainability in all material decisions.

• Stay informed about eco-friendly materials and integrate sustainable options into your work.

• Create detailed design CADs/tech packs to clearly communicate materials to factory and supplier partners.

Requirements:

• Must be local to the Beaverton area and available for a hybrid on-site schedule (4:1).

• Experience in footwear design, particularly for sportswear or performance brands, is a strong plus.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator required; advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite preferred.

• Interest in AI-powered design tools is encouraged; training can be provided.

• Experience working in a maker space or with physical sample tools (sewing machines, screen printing, etc.) is helpful.