Footwear Material Designer

Job Title: Materials Designer – Footwear & Performance Materials
Location: Beaverton, OR (PHK – Hybrid, 4 Days Onsite / 1 Day Remote)
Duration: 6 Months Contract (Potential Extension)
Experience Required: 5–7 Years
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Preferred (Design, Textile, Product Design, Industrial Design, or related field)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Materials Designer to support innovative outdoor and performance footwear initiatives. This role will focus on developing advanced material concepts for weather-focused footwear products, including breathable, water-resistant, and performance-driven designs.

The ideal candidate is highly creative, technically strong, and passionate about material innovation, sustainability, and outdoor performance products. This individual will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams including product design, color, graphics, engineering, and development teams to bring new concepts to life.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to the footwear material design process from concept through commercialization

Develop innovative material solutions for outdoor and performance footwear

Create material narratives aligned with seasonal storytelling and consumer insights

Explore new technologies, sustainable materials, and technical performance applications

Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, development, engineering, testing, and marketing teams

Build and prototype material concepts and mockups

Support material selection for functional, durable, and visually impactful products

Present design concepts and material strategies to internal stakeholders

Ensure materials align with performance, sustainability, and aesthetic goals

Required Skills & Qualifications

5–7 years of experience in material design, textile design, footwear design, or related field

Strong understanding of material construction including wovens, knits, and technical textiles

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)

Experience with technical/performance materials and weatherized product applications

Strong communication and collaboration skills

Ability to work independently with minimal oversight

Experience translating consumer insights into material concepts and storytelling

Knowledge of manufacturing processes and material sourcing

Preferred Qualifications

Footwear industry experience strongly preferred

Experience working with outdoor or sports performance products

3D rendering and visualization experience

Hands‑on prototyping and sample‑making experience

Passion for outdoor activities and sports culture

Experience working with major footwear or athletic brands

Soft Skills

Self‑starter with strong problem‑solving abilities

Collaborative mindset with cross‑functional communication skills

Highly creative and detail‑oriented

Adaptable and eager to learn in a fast‑paced environment

Candidates must submit a relevant portfolio showcasing material, textile, or footwear design work. Portfolio links or PDF attachments should be included with the application. Password access should be provided if applicable.

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