Footwear Product Developer
About the job
- Preferably hold a post-secondary degree, such as an Associate degree or B.A.; relevant experience may be substituted.
- Have at least 3 years of relevant footwear product development experience, including at least 1 year of development experience working with athletic footwear.
- Understand components that affect costing and have working knowledge of cost engineering.
- Use a strong logical thought process to identify root causes of issues.
- Be fluent in spoken and written English and effectively present information and respond to questions from U.S. headquarters counterparts, cross-functional colleagues, and factory partners.
- Have a proven track record of successful collaboration in global product development teams.
- Have strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills and be extremely detail-oriented.
- Be able to multitask and work in a fast-paced team environment.
- Be inquisitive, persistent, and assertive.
- Have strong organizational skills and independent work habits.
- Be proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Manage multiple projects from the brief stage through design, development, costing, and commercialization, with supervision and guidance from senior developers or development managers.
- Execute project development according to the seasonal calendar to support on-time delivery of sales samples, confirmation, and commercialization.
- Review and understand basic outsole, midsole, and upper blueprints, upper patterns, and materials.
- Apply an understanding of footwear creation processes, including pattern engineering, model making, part drawings, drafting, 2D documentation, mold making, materials, and costing and quality implications.
- Apply basic knowledge of manufacturing processes and learn and apply new manufacturing techniques to products.
- Collaborate and maintain effective working relationships and communication with internal and external partners, including factory developers, engineering, and production, to resolve issues and support joint problem-solving.
- Initiate meetings with the engineering team during development phases to review and update products, support on-time production confirmation, and achieve the FOB target.
- Document key issues and drive action plans to resolve outstanding issues.
- Identify issues, make some decisions independently, and facilitate timely resolution through persistent questioning and problem-solving.
- Update and maintain technical packages for assigned quarterly projects, including midsole and outsole blueprints, upper pattern packages, color maps, and project specifications.
- Communicate with U.S. product teams in development, design, product, costing, and research and development to understand, manage, and execute product performance, aesthetics, and costing vision.
- Collaborate with the materials team and vendors to select and improve materials that meet or exceed quality standards.
- Seek learning opportunities related to footwear trends and manufacturing processes and techniques.
- Expand technical skill sets and learn best practices and sound scientific methods.
- Perform other responsibilities as required.
- Experience with flexPLM, Microsoft Project, and Illustrator.
About the company
Brooks Running designs and sells high-performance running footwear and apparel for men and women. Its product range includes road, trail, treadmill, and track-spike shoes, alongside a wide selection of apparel such as shorts, tops, pants, tights, outerwear, socks, and sports bras. The company supports its products through direct-to-consumer sales via brooksrunning.com and its Seattle flagship store, while also distributing through retailers and running specialty shops. Brooks uses targeted marketing, including automated text promotions, to engage customers. The brand differentiates itself by prioritizing running-specific performance and by pursuing sustainability, evidenced by a LEED-certified headquarters and ongoing energy and water conservation efforts, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. The company’s goal is to provide high-quality running gear that helps runners perform better while reducing environmental impact and fostering a direct connection with its customers.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
M&A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington
Founded
1914
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Brooks posted 23% Q1 2026 growth, then 14% H1 growth across all regions.
- China rose 136% in Q1 2026, while EMEA delivered 30% currency-neutral growth.
- Boston and Seattle stores, Ghost AMP, and Hyperion Elite 6 deepen community and premium demand.
What critics are saying
- Brooks joined 2026 tariff-refund litigation; cash recovery stays tied to federal court timing.
- PUMA's footwear IP and Nitro trademark fight threatens margin, launches, and engineering distraction through 2027.
- Hoka, Nike, and On attack Brooks' premium shelf space; one weak launch cycle erodes specialty dominance.
What makes Brooks Running unique
- Brooks owns U.S. specialty running leadership, with 2026 No. 1 market share and 20% national retail share.
- Brooks converts runner-first product innovation into franchise depth, led by Glycerin, Adrenaline GTS, and Hyperion.
- Berkshire Hathaway backing and Seattle roots let Brooks invest patiently without quarterly public-market pressure.
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Benefits
- Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
- PPO and high deductible health plan options
- Life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Generous paid time off
- 10 paid holidays + your birthday
- Parental leave