Senior Footwear Developer, Advanced Research & Development (ARD)

Who We Are:

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 company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

• 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 - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

Your Job:

The Senior Footwear Developer, ARD will lead, manage, and execute the footwear development process, utilizing advanced product and process knowledge. You will work with a cross-functional product creation team from the collection of insights through commercialization to deliver products that exceed consumer expectations.

You must have advanced knowledge of the total footwear construction process, including outsole/midsole technical drawing, pattern engineering, material construction and properties, and costing. Other critical responsibilities of this role include understanding manufacturing capabilities, anticipating issues, problem solving, and timely resolution of any issues. You will be responsible for generating ideas around engineering principles that improve product performance, product value, and communicate them across the product teams. You are responsible for driving fit, feel, and ride across the portfolio of products in Brooks line.

• Own leading execution of all NU & NT, Pre-Development Projects/ Advanced Development, including leading projects from creation to hand-off for inline teams.
• Partner with and advise Design, CMF team, and textile development to ensure that products are manufacturable and meet cost and quality objective of the organization.
• Lead and initiate 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 production confirmation for hand-off to inline product teams.
• Recommend and specify to product teams performance components, validated construction options to assure product performance integrity through product testing and insights.
• Own and lead all decisions and discussions on fit, feel, and ride with support from key subject matter experts through cross-functional meetings.
• Critique, adjust, and evaluate technical blueprints, upper patterns, and materials from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective.
• Lead in collaboration with Research, Design, Development, Marketing, Costing, and Textile Development to show sample elements that meet the criteria for the product based on performance data.
• Identify opportunities to streamline or improve current operations and create, implement, and communicate new processes and techniques to the cross-functional teams as well as relevant leadership partners.
• Manage multiple projects from Runner Insights to inform Briefs through Design, Development, Costing, and into Commercialization.
• Lead the execution and planning of the seasonal critical dates that lead to timely delivery of seasonal toolbox elements, providing vetted solutions for seasonal product creation.
• Anticipate downstream effects of decisions as it relates to product and project management. Be proactive in solutions to mitigate delays.
• Act as an expert resource for other Footwear Team members with an aptitude for coaching and mentoring.
• Lead large-scale, complex projects with significant business impact or projects incorporating new technology/ manufacturing techniques (franchise product, new technology, etc.).
• Partner with Textile development, CMF team, and Engineering team to continually create and build a knowledge base and stay informed of current vendor capabilities and performance. Bridge this knowledge through the inline product development team.
• Mentor development personnel and others on the Footwear Team; potential to manage up to one direct report
• Travel to Asia 4X a year – leading development trips and leading work with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Design, biomechanics, or other applicable technical degrees, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ successful years of experience leading the development of high-performance footwear projects
• Technical expertise in footwear product development, process, project management, costing and manufacturing of product from conception to retail.
• Advanced level of footwear development skills and proven cross-functional project management success
• Display an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing process with the ability to modify the process in order to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which improve the overall performance of product
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence in a collaborative, cross-functional group without command/ control to meet strategic objectives.
• Demonstrate confidence and ability to manage projects/ process through a high degree of ambiguity – continually looking for solutions and anticipating the downstream effects. Ability to create solutions to successfully move forward.
• Demonstrated ability to develop highly positive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds, resulting in effective working relationships across the company.
• Advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written. Advanced ability to communicate new ideas, concepts and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
• 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 the pieces fit together and affect one another.
• Ability to anticipate how a decision made can affect our customers, our partners, our products or other departments’ operations and/or morale; “connecting the dots.”
• Curious and open-minded; always open to a challenge, inventive, creative. With the 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 the pieces fit together and affect one another.
• Strong computer skills including experience with Illustrator, MS Office software.
• Passionate participation in Brooks activities a plus, combined with the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal and engaging relationships with our customers and the Brooks community.
• Embrace and live the Brooks values!

Compensation : The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $124,324 - $186,404 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Other:

Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!

Benefits - Including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.

Paid Time Off - Brooks offers generous time off, including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave.

Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.

Perks - Including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Location - You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.