Senior Designer, Innovation (Performance Footwear)
VF Corporation, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80285
Overview
At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers (https://www.vfc.com/careers) or www.vfc.com. What will you do?
A day in the life of a Senior Innovation Designer – Performance Footwear at VF looks a little like this. This role sits within our Innovation, Advanced Concepts, and Performance Footwear teams and supports global product creation efforts. You’ll work closely with Engineering, Materials, Sports Science, Product Creation, Testing, and Design partners. At its core, this position shapes the future of performance footwear—leading complex innovation projects that turn bold ideas into validated, athletic-driven solutions. This role reports to the VP of Innovation. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. Lead multiphase innovation projects from early insights through validated concept hand-off to Product Creation teams. Identify long term opportunities and help shape the multiyear innovation roadmap for performance footwear. Drive early experimentation—forming hypotheses, designing tests, and validating performance claims. Create original, high impact concepts across cushioning, traction, uppers, fit systems, and emerging technologies. Transform athlete insights, biomechanics data, and material advancements into breakthrough performance solutions. Build and direct the creation of advanced prototypes using 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, experimental materials, and hands-on methods. Partner with engineering, materials, and sports science to evaluate functional performance and refine concepts. Lead cross functional teams and serve as the design voice for complex, multidisciplinary innovation initiatives. Mentor junior designers and elevate the team’s design thinking, prototyping skills, and technical rigor. Present concepts to executives, category leaders, and cross functional teams with clarity and compelling storytelling. Qualifications & Experience
What do you need to succeed? For this role, the foundation skills below are essential. While formal education in a related field is valuable, we are most interested in your 6–10+ years of experience in performance footwear, advanced concepts, or highly technical product creation. The foundation skills you will need in this position are: Strong background in Industrial Design, Product Design, Engineering, Biomechanics, or a related field. Proven experience leading innovation projects and delivering performance driven solutions in ambiguous environments. Expert level sketching, form development, visualization, and 3D modeling using tools such as Rhino, SolidWorks, Alias, Blender, or Fusion. Strong prototyping skills—ranging from digital methods to handson model making and experimental builds. Ability to translate athlete insights, biomechanical data, and engineering input into actionable design direction. Strong cross functional leadership skills and comfort working with engineering, sports science, materials, and athlete testing teams. Exceptional storytelling skills—clearly communicating vision, impact, and rationale to leaders and partners. Ability to manage complex projects, guide decisionmaking, and drive alignment across teams. There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred. Experience delivering patented or category defining products. Deep understanding of performance testing, biomechanics, and athlete insights Background in advanced materials, cushioning platforms, digital manufacturing, or computational design. Ability to connect high level strategy with hands-on execution and technical prototyping. Compensation & Benefits
Now we have a question for you. Are you in? Hiring Range : $96,768.00 USD - $120,960.00 USD annually Incentive Potential : This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process. Benefits at VF Corporation : You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year’s medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF?
Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process. P
lease note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws. At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law. Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. VF Diversity Vision Statement: VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. VF is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.
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At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers (https://www.vfc.com/careers) or www.vfc.com. What will you do?
A day in the life of a Senior Innovation Designer – Performance Footwear at VF looks a little like this. This role sits within our Innovation, Advanced Concepts, and Performance Footwear teams and supports global product creation efforts. You’ll work closely with Engineering, Materials, Sports Science, Product Creation, Testing, and Design partners. At its core, this position shapes the future of performance footwear—leading complex innovation projects that turn bold ideas into validated, athletic-driven solutions. This role reports to the VP of Innovation. Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. Lead multiphase innovation projects from early insights through validated concept hand-off to Product Creation teams. Identify long term opportunities and help shape the multiyear innovation roadmap for performance footwear. Drive early experimentation—forming hypotheses, designing tests, and validating performance claims. Create original, high impact concepts across cushioning, traction, uppers, fit systems, and emerging technologies. Transform athlete insights, biomechanics data, and material advancements into breakthrough performance solutions. Build and direct the creation of advanced prototypes using 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, experimental materials, and hands-on methods. Partner with engineering, materials, and sports science to evaluate functional performance and refine concepts. Lead cross functional teams and serve as the design voice for complex, multidisciplinary innovation initiatives. Mentor junior designers and elevate the team’s design thinking, prototyping skills, and technical rigor. Present concepts to executives, category leaders, and cross functional teams with clarity and compelling storytelling. Qualifications & Experience
What do you need to succeed? For this role, the foundation skills below are essential. While formal education in a related field is valuable, we are most interested in your 6–10+ years of experience in performance footwear, advanced concepts, or highly technical product creation. The foundation skills you will need in this position are: Strong background in Industrial Design, Product Design, Engineering, Biomechanics, or a related field. Proven experience leading innovation projects and delivering performance driven solutions in ambiguous environments. Expert level sketching, form development, visualization, and 3D modeling using tools such as Rhino, SolidWorks, Alias, Blender, or Fusion. Strong prototyping skills—ranging from digital methods to handson model making and experimental builds. Ability to translate athlete insights, biomechanical data, and engineering input into actionable design direction. Strong cross functional leadership skills and comfort working with engineering, sports science, materials, and athlete testing teams. Exceptional storytelling skills—clearly communicating vision, impact, and rationale to leaders and partners. Ability to manage complex projects, guide decisionmaking, and drive alignment across teams. There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred. Experience delivering patented or category defining products. Deep understanding of performance testing, biomechanics, and athlete insights Background in advanced materials, cushioning platforms, digital manufacturing, or computational design. Ability to connect high level strategy with hands-on execution and technical prototyping. Compensation & Benefits
Now we have a question for you. Are you in? Hiring Range : $96,768.00 USD - $120,960.00 USD annually Incentive Potential : This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process. Benefits at VF Corporation : You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year’s medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF?
Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process. P
lease note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws. At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law. Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. VF Diversity Vision Statement: VF is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our associates, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. VF is an equal employment opportunity/ affirmative action employer of minorities, females, protected veterans and the disabled. VF is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and treating our VF associates and VF applicants without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, HIV/AIDS status, or any other legally protected factor.
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