Footwear Developer II, Innovation

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.

The Footwear Innovation Developer II utilizes advanced, technical product and process knowledge to work with a cross‑functional product creation team to drive execution of innovation projects through all phases of the Phase Gate process. Hands‑on experience and strong knowledge of the total footwear manufacturing process is required for your success in this role. You will collaborate on a daily basis with other Footwear Innovation team members to identify new technologies, explore new designs, and implement new manufacturing processes that will help us create footwear that runners will love, with the lowest environmental impact possible.

Your role on the project team is part technical expert and part project leader. You will be an important part of the Footwear Innovation process, including sample material acquisition, prototype building and validation, factory collaboration, and contributing to process improvement. This role will act as a positive driving force in the innovation process and impacts business results by discovering new potential in footwear performance and manufacturing driven by our long‑term innovation strategy.

In this role you will continue to learn from more senior members of the Footwear Innovation team to hone your technical footwear expertise.

• Execute the innovation product development role by delivering on Brooks’ Fit, Feel, Ride, and Crafted Beauty principles as related to specific projects via an unwavering dedication always to deliver excellence.
• Provide leadership to Design and Product Line Management teams to uncover new ways that innovative materials and designs can be manufacturable and meet project goals and performance, sustainability, cost, and quality objectives.
• Be responsible for product performance integrity by working with Product Validation teams to determine testing needs/criteria, understand results, and make decisions based on learnings.
• Partner with vendors and factories in the manufacturing process to discover and advance new manufacturing techniques that enhance the overall performance of product.
• Partner with Sustainability teams to ensure materials and manufacturing processes meet and exceed brand goals.
• Identify, recommend, and specify to the project team the material, component, and construction options to meet pricing targets and the product’s functional goals, as well as ensure product performance integrity through product testing (physical and field testing).
• Responsible for Asia Development team members being aware of technical details, development challenges, and engaged in finding solutions.
• Connect with legal teams to initiate Intellectual Property reviews and create contracts with new partners.
• Own sample management for assigned projects, including receipt and distribution of all samples, sample checking, and communicating updates to all teammates.
• Create and maintain technical packages and Bills of Materials (BOM’s) for assigned projects.
• Ensure product quality by collaborating with Engineering and Quality Assessment teams at all stages of the creation process.
• Critique, adjust, and evaluate technical blueprints (outsole/ midsole/ upper), upper patterns, and materials from a performance, manufacturing, and functional perspective.
• Pa…