Lead - Footwear Developer - PAD + Young Movers

In short

As the Lead Developer for PAD (Lifestyle) + Young Movers (Kids), you will be responsible for inline Lifestyle products in our fastest‑growing, largest product vertical, alongside specialized development engineered specifically for the young movers in our community. Honing craft takes time. It requires patience, resilience, and a dedication to the complex integration of footwear construction and systems. In this role, you are an individual contributor operating at the intersection of high‑performance design for all‑day wear and disciplined Swiss Engineering.

• Commit to the Craft:
  Lead technical development for new silhouettes across Adult and Kids categories, ensuring every product meets strict engineering standards for performance, aesthetic, and fit.
• Master Complex Integration:
  Serve as the primary technical partner to Design, converting creative dreams into commercial reality without compromising function.
• Bridge the Generations:
  Translate adult performance concepts into kid‑specific footwear, understanding unique biomechanical and durability needs.
• Execute the Technical Lifecycle:
  Manage end‑to‑end development from 2D/3D design concepts through tech‑packing, prototyping, and final production‑ready samples.
• Drive Material & Tooling Innovation:
  Partner with material sourcing and tooling teams to test, validate, and implement new compounds, textiles, and manufacturing methods.
• Lead Fit & Wear Testing:
  Oversee rigorous fit and wear testing protocols for adults and kids, analyzing feedback to iterate and optimize comfort, support, and durability.
• Collaborate Cross‑Functionally:
  Act as central technical hub between Design, Product Management, Sourcing, and Tier 1 factory partners to ensure timelines and margin targets are met.
• Optimize for Scale:
  Ensure blueprints and construction methods are optimized for mass production while maintaining brand aesthetic integrity.

• The Technical Authority: 7+ years of footwear development experience, proven track record of launching complex, performance‑driven lifestyle or athletic products. Experience in kids' footwear development is a massive plus.
• Resilient Individual Contributor:
  Patience and persistence to navigate long development road; full accountability for the technical lifecycle; thrive when managing independent projects.
• A Problem Solver by Nature:
  Ingenuity at core; think differently, challenge status quo, solve construction puzzles while maintaining superior performance.
• Global Collaborator:
  Extensive experience working with overseas commercialization centers and factories; communicate technical nuances across cultures.

• Thrive in Ambiguity:
  Actively respond to changing priorities; view shifting priorities as innovation opportunities.
• Biased for Action (With Guardrails):
  Sense of urgency while upholding Swiss‑engineered quality.
• The “No Job Too Small” Mindset:
  Hands‑on builder, ready to brainstorm high‑level concepts and fix technical‑pack errors.
• Comfortable with Constructive Friction:
  Welcome diverse perspectives; engage in healthy debate and use pushback to refine final product.
• Continuous Learner:
  Curious about evolving footwear landscape; scout new methods and apply fresh learnings to PAD and Kids lines.

On is a place centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team‑oriented atmosphere with access to personal self‑care for both physical and mental well‑being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.