Footwear Materials Designer

Kforce's client in Beaverton, OR is seeking an exceptional Footwear Materials Designer who can blend expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills to help shape the future of Footwear Materials. Summary: This role sits within the Core Footwear group - which covers Running, training, basketball, lifestyle and sandals at key competitive price points. The ideal candidate will be an independent leader, driving material design expressions as well as new creations. They will be a highly creative problem solver who refuses to settle for anything less than the best in design and material innovation - meeting the needs of athletes and consumers both on and off the field. The Footwear Materials Designer will focus on enhancing the consumer experience through materials that balance performance and trend relevance across a range of products, while fostering a deep emotional connection through compelling storytelling and narrative. A strong passion for advancing the purpose-driven initiatives around sustainability and people is essential.

• Bachelor's degree in Design, Art, or a related field such as Fashion Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Accessory and Footwear Design, or Textile Design; Alternatively, a Master's degree in one of these areas) - will accept any suitable combination of education experience and training
• 4+ years of relevant design experience, demonstrating the ability to push the boundaries of material design and/or proven expertise in Material design, Textile Design or Footwear Design with a focus on upper materials and build
• Ability to translate consumer insights into compelling narratives and product executions
• Strong capability to leverage manufacturing processes to elevate new ideas, techniques, and materials
• Experience building 3D samples and crafting mockups by hand
• Highly organized, self-sufficient, and motivated, with a passion for leading teams
• Proven experience collaborating and communicating with manufacturing partners to ensure design intent and material execution accuracy
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite programs, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign
• Ability to manage and contribute to multiple seasonal projects within tight timelines and limited resources
• A strong understanding of the Footwear Product Creation process is a plus
• An active, engaged contributor in both the creative process and cross-functional communication
• Confident in presenting and articulating design concepts to internal and external audiences
• Skilled in collaboration and cross-functional teamwork with key partners
• A deep passion for sport culture and the categories in which you design