Designer, Athletic and Lifestyle Footwear (Men's & Ladies)

About Us

American Exchange Group is an industry leader in fashion accessory products and brand management. By facilitating distribution to major retailers internationally for their globally recognized brands, custom private label brands, and exclusive licensed brands-including footwear, tech wearables, watches, jewelry, handbags, fashion accessories, home, and beauty-American Exchange Group raises the bar by disrupting the status quo with value and quality, while staying at the forefront of trends.

Joining American Exchange Group means being part of a dynamic and diverse team where your contributions drive real impact-and where there's always room to grow. If you're looking to be part of a company that blends heritage with hustle, we're excited to meet you.

Visit our website at www.axnygroup.com

Location: Onsite 5 days a week at our NYC HQ

Position Overview

We are looking for a creative and motivated Footwear Designer to support the design and development of a newly acquired footwear brand across lifestyle and casual categories. This role will assist in bringing innovative product concepts to life through strong design execution, research, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate has a passion for sneaker and lifestyle footwear, strong visual communication skills, and an eagerness to grow within a fast-paced creative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Assist in designing lifestyle and sneaker footwear concepts aligned with brand direction
Create sketches, renderings, and technical drawings using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Support seasonal concept research, trend analysis, and inspiration development
Help prepare tech packs, specifications, and product documentation for development
Assist with material selection, color updates, and construction detailing
Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, and Sales teams throughout the design process
Communicate with factories regarding development updates and sample revisions
Review samples and assist with prototype corrections and design refinements
Maintain organized design files, calendars, and product information
Participate in fittings, presentations, and line reviews
Qualifications

2-5 years of footwear design experience preferred
Background or strong interest in sneaker and lifestyle footwear design
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Strong hand sketching and visual presentation skills
Basic understanding of footwear materials and construction
Familiarity with specs, tech packs, and product development processes
Microsoft Excel proficiency
Strong communication and organizational skills
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment
Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn
Preferred Experience

Experience working with overseas factories or development teams
Understanding of current fashion, sneaker, and lifestyle trends
Passion for sustainability, innovation, and modern casual design
What We're Looking For

A creative designer with strong taste, attention to detail, and a passion for footwear design - someone excited to contribute fresh ideas while growing within a collaborative and innovative brand environment.

What We Offer

Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
Half Day Fridays with shortened hours during both Summer and Winter seasons
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Tax-free commuter benefits
Exclusive employee merchandise discounts

Salary: The anticipated base salary is $80k-$95k annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, internal equity, and location.

This position description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with this position. While this description is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary. The compensation package is dependent on a number of factors, including, for example, experience, education, market data, and business needs.