Full-Time
Lead Innovation Researcher
HOKA Innovation
Deckers Brands
5,001-10,000 employees
Designs, markets, and distributes footwear.
Compensation Overview
$108.7k - $146.7k/yr
Portland, OR, USA
Hybrid
Three days in the office per week, Tuesday through Thursday.
Master's, PhD
 Biology & Biotech (1) |
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- A Master's or PhD degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, or a similar field of study.
- Six to eight years of experience in footwear, sports equipment, or human performance research.
- Experience leading research programs within the footwear industry or a closely related field.
- Expertise in research design and applied sport science, including experimental design, statistical methods, and current sport science literature.
- A strong understanding of athlete behavior, human movement, and performance mechanisms in footwear and apparel.
- Advanced proficiency with laboratory and field technologies, including 3D motion capture, force plates, pressure insoles, metabolic carts, and inertial measurement units.
- High proficiency in data processing, analysis, and visualization using Python, MATLAB, and Visual3D.
- Demonstrated ability to guide concepts from early exploration through prototyping and validation, translating research into product-relevant insights.
- Ability to communicate research findings, innovation opportunities, and concept recommendations through clear, compelling storytelling.
- Partner with Innovation leadership to shape and advance HOKA’s innovation strategy at the intersection of science, athlete insight, and product performance.
- Provide scientific expertise and guidance to inform innovation design, concept development, and product decision-making.
- Identify knowledge gaps that guide research priorities and innovation opportunities.
- Identify opportunities where scientific insights can unlock product differentiation.
- Design research protocols, develop tools, and execute scientific studies to generate actionable insights.
- Apply performance testing methods to evaluate how footwear concepts influence movement, efficiency, and performance.
- Serve as the primary liaison managing external research collaborations in support of HOKA’s innovation strategy.
- Translate research findings into actionable product direction supporting concept creation and development.
- Partner with product design, development, engineering, testing, and creation teams to embed scientific insights in innovation concepts.
- Contribute to the creation, evaluation, and refinement of concepts and products from early exploration through commercialization.
- Build and cultivate a network of leading research partners across academia, sport federations, and industry.
- Identify and evaluate emerging opportunities in human performance, footwear science, sport technology, and innovation partnerships.
- A highly motivated team-oriented and self-starting approach with a curious, growth-oriented mindset and focus on continuous learning.
Deckers Brands designs, markets, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories for casual living and high-performance activities. Its portfolio includes UGG, HOKA, Teva, Koolaburra, and AHNU, with products built to be durable, comfortable, and stylish for everyday wear and outdoor use. The company differentiates itself through a diverse brand lineup that spans luxury-like casual comfort to performance footwear, a global presence across North America, Europe, and Asia, and a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Deckers aims to transform ordinary footwear and outdoor gear into enduring, recognizable essentials by delivering reliable quality, clear brand identities, and responsible operations.”}```````utorial to=functions.final_result to=functions.final_result ibrb ||= sorry? ; } }````} to=functions.final_result with proper json 盖? } }
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Goleta, California
Founded
1973
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q1 FY2027 DTC sales rose 13% to $352.8 million, fueling margin resilience.
- Deckers raised FY2027 revenue guidance to $5.86-$5.91 billion on July 23, 2026.
- HOKA's European store rollout, including Berlin and Milan, expands distribution and brand awareness.
What critics are saying
- Tariffs cut Q2 operating margin to 15.2%, and management lifted 2027 tariff assumptions.
- Quince invalidated Deckers' UGG design patent on June 15, 2026, weakening brand protection.
- If Quince-style dupes normalize, UGG loses pricing power and legal leverage.
What makes Deckers Brands unique
- HOKA and UGG generated $981.5 million in Q1 FY2027, powerfully diversifying Deckers.
- Deckers crossed $1 billion quarterly revenue for the first time on July 23, 2026.
- Clean inventory and direct-to-consumer strength preserve premium pricing across HOKA and UGG.
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Benefits
Competitive Pay and Bonuses
Financial Planning and wellbeing
Time away from work
Health and Wellness
Growth and Development
Company News
Deckers reported second-quarter results with revenue of $1.02 billion, meeting analyst estimates, whilst earnings per share of $0.94 beat expectations by 7.3%. Year-on-year revenue grew 5.7%. CEO Stefano Caroti attributed performance to strong demand for HOKA and UGG brands, particularly through direct-to-consumer channels. Operating margin declined to 15.2% from 17.1% the previous year, pressured by tariffs and higher operating expenses. The company maintained its full-year revenue guidance of $5.89 billion but issued earnings guidance of $7.43 per share, missing analyst estimates by 1%. Same-store sales rose 6.8% year on year. During the earnings call, analysts questioned management about product innovation, tariff impacts, direct-to-consumer sustainability, European promotional activity, and margin management strategies.
Deckers reported Q2 revenue of $1.02 billion, up 5.7% year-on-year, meeting Wall Street expectations. The footwear and apparel company's GAAP profit of $0.94 per share beat analyst estimates by 7.3%. Revenue growth was driven by strong demand for HOKA and UGG brands, particularly through direct-to-consumer channels. Same-store sales rose 7.6% year-on-year. Operating margin fell to 15.2% from 17.1% in the prior year quarter, pressured by tariffs and higher operating expenses. The company reconfirmed full-year revenue guidance of $5.89 billion at the midpoint. Management plans to accelerate product innovation and expand HOKA distribution whilst leveraging its clean inventory position and premium pricing strategy.
US' Deckers Brands crosses $1 bn Q1 revenue as HOKA, UGG grow. 24 Jul '26 US-based footwear and lifestyle company Deckers Brands reported first-quarter (Q1) fiscal 2027 (FY27) revenue of $1.02 billion, up 5.7 per cent from $964.5 million in the year-ago period. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 4.8 per cent. The company raised its FY27 diluted earnings per share (EPS) guidance to $7.35-7.5. Stefano Caroti, president and chief executive officer of Deckers Brands, said the company achieved a strong start to the fiscal year, crossing $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, supported by the continued strength of HOKA and UGG brands. Diluted EPS increased to $0.94 from $0.93, while operating income declined to $155.3 million from $165.3 million due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Gross margin improved to 56.4 per cent from 55.8 per cent, Deckers Brands said in a press release. HOKA and UGG drive brand growth HOKA brand sales increased 7.7 per cent to $703.5 million, supported by strong global demand and product innovation. UGG revenue rose 4.9 per cent to $278 million, while sales from other brands declined 18.1 per cent to $37.9 million, partly due to the phase-out of Koolaburra standalone operations. "As we build deeper connections with consumers across geographies and channels, we remain focused on advancing our premium brands and executing with discipline against our long-term strategies," added Caroti. The direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel remained a key growth driver, with sales increasing 13 per cent to $352.8 million and comparable DTC sales rising 6.8 per cent. Wholesale revenue grew 2.2 per cent to $666.7 million. International sales increased 8.4 per cent to $502.1 million, while domestic sales rose 3.2 per cent to $517.4 million. Deckers ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.60 billion, inventory of $807.6 million and no outstanding borrowings. Deckers raises FY27 EPS outlook During Q1 FY27, Deckers repurchased around 3.3 million shares worth $338.2 million at an average price of $103.79 per share. The company had approximately $4.7 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorisation as of June 30, 2026. For FY27, Deckers maintained its revenue outlook at $5.86-5.91 billion. HOKA sales are expected to grow at a low double-digit rate, while UGG revenue is projected to increase at a mid-single-digit rate. Gross margin is expected to be slightly above 56.5 per cent, with operating margin projected above 21.5 per cent.
Markets dropped sharply on Thursday as Brent crude oil surpassed $100 per barrel, rising 7%, whilst West Texas Intermediate climbed over 6% to $92 per barrel. The ongoing conflict involving Iran and Houthi attacks on Saudi ships has extended beyond initial expectations. The Dow fell 506 points (0.97%), the S&P 500 declined 90 points (1.21%), and the Nasdaq dropped 553 points (2.15%). Intel delivered strong Q2 results, reporting earnings of 42 cents per share, double the consensus of 21 cents, with revenues growing 25% year-over-year to $16.1 billion. Shares rose 5.5% after hours. Comfort Systems reported record earnings of $12.53 per share against estimates of $10.38, whilst revenues surged 50.3% to $3.27 billion.
Deckers met Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q2 CY2026, reporting sales of $1.02 billion, up 5.7% year on year. The footwear and apparel conglomerate's GAAP profit of $0.94 per share beat analyst estimates by 7.3%. The company reconfirmed its full-year revenue guidance of $5.89 billion at the midpoint, close to analyst expectations. However, its EPS guidance of $7.43 missed estimates by 1%. Operating margin fell to 15.2% from 17.1% in the same quarter last year. Constant currency revenue rose 4.8% year on year, down from 16.3% growth in the prior-year period. Over the past five years, Deckers has grown sales at a 14.8% compounded annual rate, though recent performance shows slowing momentum with 11.6% annualised growth over the last two years.