Footwear Product Engineer II
R&D
Posted on 2/10/2023
INACTIVE
Brooks Running

1,001-5,000 employees

Running shoes and apparel
Company Overview
Brooks Running's goals are simple: everyone who wants to run feels welcome to run, and everyone who runs has a place to do it. They're working toward meaningful change the same way we run — by tapping into the limitless positivity of the run and then putting one foot in front of the other.
Consumer Goods

Company Stage

M&A

Total Funding

N/A

Founded

1914

Headquarters

Seattle, Washington

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

6%

2 year growth

20%
Locations
Seattle, WA, USA
Experience Level
Entry
Junior
Mid
Senior
Expert
Desired Skills
Sales
Communications
Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or equivalent/experience
  • 5+ years of Footwear Creation, Development, Commercialization or Manufacturing experience
  • Strong Project Management skills with a keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all of the pieces fit together and affect one another
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate new ideas, complex concepts and functional expertise in a learning environment
  • Demonstrate ability to develop relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company
  • Proven ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, team oriented and complex global environments
  • Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. Ability to challenge the status quo - always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details
  • Keen attention to detail in planning, organization and execution of tasks (self and through others), while still seeing the big picture and understanding how all of the pieces fit together and affect one another
  • Passionate participation in Brooks' sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal engaging relationships with our customers, partners and the Brooks' community
  • A passion for the running enthusiast and active lifestyle
  • Global travel 25% of the time
Responsibilities
  • Own leading execution of assigned mid to high level complexity upper projects and tooling projects from creation to final confirmation with T1
  • Plan and execute project development according to the seasonal critical dates that lead to on-time delivery of sales samples and production confirmation
  • Acts as technical expert regarding performance and technical best practices on all assigned projects to make early recommendations on product construction techniques & optimization solutions
  • Initiate and lead meetings with product teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update and ultimately drive the decision-making process that leads to on-time project confirmation
  • Partner directly with Biomechanics (Lab) and Weartest teams for applied science learnings
  • Review wear test shoes with product development and product assessment teams and offer support on fit, feel, ride comments and solutions as needed
  • Actively contribute to seasonal projects and process through direct interaction with the footwear 'Triad' team members during predevelopment, concepts, development and commercialization phases to make recommendations and provide problem solving solutions throughout the creation process
  • Anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products or other departments' operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots.”
  • Deliver on Brooks Fit, Feel, Ride principles and goals via an unwavering dedication to always deliver excellence. Own decisions relating to Fit, Feel, Ride, Construction on all assigned projects
  • Fluent in upper pattern creation, including creation of last drafts, pattern shells and process to develop uppers. Partner with Asia Pattern Engineer to build upon established tools
  • Partner with and influence vendors and factories in the manufacturing process with the ability to steer the process in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance the overall performance of product
  • Contribute to a knowledge base and maintain awareness about vendor capabilities and performance, factory relationships, quality issues, materials pricing and lead times; provide updates as needed
  • Contribute to the establishment of standard methodologies around templates, BP and process and participate in the approval process for all tooling. Directly interact with Asia-based Tooling Engineers, ensuring collaboration through initial BP to confirm to cut steel
  • Keep abreast of market trends, new technologies and consumer needs to ensure that products incorporate the functional needs our consumers' demand
  • Assist with teaching through a variety of delivery methods including classroom instruction, virtual and online training, on the job coaching and hands on, learn by doing, practices in the creation centers to deliver on Fit, Feel, and Ride goals
  • Participate in Asia development trips, 3 - 4 per year, to work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects
  • Mentor more junior team members
Desired Qualifications
  • Strong computer skills including experience with MS office. Flex PLM knowledge is a plus