3D Footwear Innovation, Designer II

About Brooks
At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation. Our brand values are:

Runner First

– We act in the best interest of the runner

Word is Bond

– We do what we say we’ll do

Champion Heart

– We give our all in everything we do

There is no “I” in Run

– We stay generous with our humanity

Keep Moving

– We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement. Let’s run together.

Position Overview
3D Innovation Designer II – Innovation & Elite Athlete Team

You will drive both art and science by creating what athletes need and want in their lives—a digital craftsperson who transforms visionary concepts into tangible reality. Working with a fearless team at the leading edge of footwear creation, you will develop advanced 3D models from early‑stage explorations to production‑ready geometry, influencing how ambitious innovations come to life and how elite athletes reach their fullest potential.

Responsibilities

Design and innovate advanced 3D models across concept, prototype, and production phases, pushing the limits of footwear design.

Blend digital sculpting and 3D modeling to achieve aesthetic and technical excellence.

Scale workflow from rapid iterative explorations to high‑fidelity production geometry.

Generate production tooling geometry using Rhino 3D or other surface modeling environments.

Create photorealistic renderings that communicate design concepts and performance expression.

Apply foundational knowledge of footwear construction and digital forms that translate to physical products.

Partner directly with Innovation Footwear Design and Computational Design to create breakthrough concepts.

Interface with Run Research, Product Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering to ensure designs are grounded in performance science.

Present concepts with clarity and conviction to inspire cross‑functional teams.

Mentor Associate Designers and Designer 1 team members.

Own deadlines and deliver with excellence, managing timelines autonomously.

Travel approximately 10% to Asia, Europe, trade shows, races, factory sites, or other locations relevant to the work.

Explore algorithmic modeling approaches such as Grasshopper, Houdini, Blender Geometry Nodes, and other computational design tools.

Experiment with animated forms to communicate advanced design expression and performance dynamics.

Champion new methods for evolving 3D workflows, continuously improving capabilities and knowledge.

Deepen understanding of performance footwear construction, runner biomechanics, manufacturing processes, and design philosophy.

Conduct factory and supplier visits to gain insights into manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, 3D Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Proficient in creating algorithmic/computational modeling tools (Grasshopper, Houdini, Blender Geometry Nodes).

5+ years of professional experience in advanced 3D CAD modeling with complex surfacing and organic geometry.

Expert‑level proficiency in Rhino 3D and other surface modeling tools (Modo, Alias, etc.).

Strong blend of aesthetic design sensibilities and technical modeling precision.

Excellent visualization and rendering skills to create compelling photo‑real representations.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Strong collaboration skills with diverse stakeholder groups.

Deep empathy for athletes and their needs.

Compensation
The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $104,217 – $156,324 per year. Base pay will vary based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance.

Disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA.

Family & fertility assistance.

401K Savings Plan with matching.

Employee assistance program and transportation assistance.

Paid time off: 3‑5 weeks of PTO, 11 paid holidays, sick and parental leave.

Annual bonus based on company performance.

Product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Spending 3 days per week in Seattle office.

Brooks is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, nationality, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

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