Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer 2 (Footwear) - Contract Role

We are seeking a Product Development Engineer (Footwear) to support a high-performance footwear product team during a coverage period. This role focuses on transforming design intent into manufacturable footwear products, ensuring alignment across design, engineering, sourcing, and overseas manufacturing partners.

You will play a key role in developing innovative athletic footwear, supporting complex product creation cycles from early concept through commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate 2D design concepts and briefs into functional 3D footwear samples ready for production
• Manage end-to-end footwear development projects, ensuring milestones and critical dates are met
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including design, materials, testing, sourcing, and manufacturing
• Serve as a key point of contact for overseas development and production partners
• Support execution of product creation standards across tooling, upper, and material development
• Identify and resolve development issues related to fit, construction, cost, and manufacturability
• Ensure product readiness for commercialization and scaling into production
• Track multiple workstreams and maintain clear communication across stakeholders
• Contribute to continuous improvement of product development processes

Must Have Qualifications

• 2-4+ years of experience in footwear development, product engineering, or manufacturing-related product creation
• Strong understanding of footwear construction (tooling, upper, pattern engineering, and assembly processes)
• Proven experience managing product development timelines and cross-functional deliverables
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, sketches, and/or 3D product files
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with experience working across global teams
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability in a structured product development environment
• Self-starter mindset with ability to work independently and take ownership of projects
• Strong collaboration skills with experience influencing and aligning stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in athletic footwear product development (strongly preferred)
• Experience working with global sportswear or performance footwear organizations
• Exposure to soccer / global football product categories or athlete-driven footwear design
• Experience with cost optimization, value engineering, or product costing
• Familiarity with footwear testing, material properties, and performance validation
• Exposure to tooling development or upper innovation processes
• Experience working with overseas manufacturing partners or global supply chains
• Degree in Engineering, Product Development, Industrial Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Soft Skills & Traits

• Highly collaborative and effective in matrixed team environments
• Strong communicator who can simplify technical concepts for diverse audiences
• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working with ambiguity
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Comfortable managing multiple parallel projects in fast-paced environments
• Strong problem-solving mindset with hands-on, iterative approach to development
• Builds trust easily with internal teams and external partners
• Patient and resilient through iterative design and development cycles
• Curious, hands-on thinker who actively seeks to improve product performance
  

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