Senior Designer, Footwear Materials

Overview

Placement Type:
Temporary
Salary:
$38.40-42.67 Hourly
up to $42.67/hr
Start Date:
Jun 4, 2026
Senior Designer, Materials (Footwear)

Location: Greater Portland Area

Duration: 6-month contract
About the Role

We're looking for a highly creative and consumer-obsessed Senior Materials Designer to help shape the future of footwear within one of the most iconic sportswear brands in the world. This role sits within the Men's & Women's Sportswear Classics Expression team, working on some of the brand's most recognizable lifestyle silhouettes.
You'll play a critical role in driving material innovation, storytelling, and trend-relevant design-elevating the connection between product and consumer through thoughtful, narrative-driven material choices.
What You'll Do
Design and develop innovative materials for footwear, from concept through production
Translate consumer insights, cultural trends, and streetwear influences into compelling material stories
Create mood boards, concept presentations, and seasonal narratives
Collaborate cross-functionally with Color, Graphics, Digital, and Product teams
Build and refine samples, including hands-on mockups and 3D material explorations
Partner with development and manufacturing teams to bring designs to life and solve technical challenges
Work across multiple projects and seasonal timelines in a fast-paced environment
What You Bring
3+ years of experience in Materials Design, Textile Design, Footwear Design, or related field
Strong portfolio showcasing end-to-end design process and storytelling (concept execution)
High taste level with a strong understanding of consumer trends, culture, and tactile materials
Experience working on consumer products at scale
Ability to clearly articulate your individual contributions and decision-making in past work
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Strong collaboration skills and ability to work cross-functionally
Nice to Have
Background in footwear, apparel, or industrial materials design
Passion for streetwear and contemporary culture
Experience with sustainability or innovative materials
Familiarity with the footwear product creation process
Who You Are
Creative problem solver with a strong point of view
Detail-oriented and highly collaborative
Curious, open-minded, and culturally aware
Confident communicator who can advocate for design decisions
Positive, team-first mindset
Why This Role

This is a unique opportunity to work on iconic global products, influence material direction at scale, and collaborate with some of the best creative minds in the industry.
If you're passionate about materials, storytelling, and shaping the future of footwear-we'd love to see your work.
#LI-MM3