VF: Senior Innovation Designer

VF:
Senior Innovation Designer### VF:
Senior Innovation Designer Apply:
USCA  USA  Colorado  Denver Lab - VFC:
Full time:
Posted Today:
R-# At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity.  So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers or   
** What will you do?
** A day in the life of a Senior Innovation Designer – Performance Footwear at VF looks a little like this. ## The Senior Innovation Designer for Performance Footwear is a strategic creative leader responsible for shaping the future of the brand’s high-performance product ecosystem. This role drives the discovery, design, and validation of breakthrough concepts that redefine what athletes can achieve.

Operating at the intersection of design, biomechanics, engineering, and emerging technology, the Senior Innovation Designer leads complex projects, mentors teammates, and influences long-term innovation strategy.

This is a role for a visionary maker-builder who thrives in ambiguity, pushes boundaries, and can turn unproven ideas into validated, scalable solutions.  The Senior Innovation Designer shapes the future of performance footwear by turning bold ideas into the next generation of athlete solutions. This role not only creates what comes next—it influences how the brand defines innovation for years to come.##

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.
Innovation Leadership & Strategy
* Lead multi-phase innovation projects from insight development through validated concept handoff.
* Identify long-term opportunity areas and influence the creation of the multi-year innovation roadmap.
* Drive early-stage experimentation, establishing hypotheses and designing test methods to validate performance claims.
* Communicate project strategy, risk, and impact to cross-functional leadership.  Advanced Concept Creation
* Develop original, high-impact design concepts across cushioning, traction, upper construction, fit systems, and emerging technologies.
* Transform athlete insights, biomechanics data, and material science opportunities into differentiated performance solutions.
* Create visually compelling renderings, prototypes, and narratives that inspire action and alignment.  Prototyping & Technical Exploration
* Build and direct the creation of advanced prototypes using 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, experimental materials, and hands-on methods.
* Partner with engineering, materials, and sports science teams to evaluate function, refine solutions, and push technical feasibility.
* Translate findings into actionable design criteria, technical specifications, and performance requirements.  Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Serve as the design lead across multidisciplinary teams including engineering, materials, testing, product creation, and manufacturing.
* Mentor junior designers; elevate the overall quality of design thinking and technical rigor within the innovation team.
* Influence future-season product lines by delivering validated, manufacturable concepts.  Execution & Communication
* Present innovation concepts to executives, category leaders, athletes, and cross-functional partners with clarity and storytelling excellence.
* Ensure design intent is preserved through iterative prototyping, development, and transfer to product creation teams.
* Produce high-quality documentation including concept decks, functional briefs, technical specs, and design rationale.  ##
** What do you need to succeed?
** We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related…