Intern - Innovation Development

Laceless Design; Zürich; On-site; CHF 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onboarding voucher

Store credits

Wellbeing counselling

Internship workshops

Insurance coverage

Job summary

On invites interns to join the Innovation team in Zürich for a six‑month period, offering hands-on ownership of operational workflows and end-to-end projects. You will collaborate with mentors, cross-functional peers, and regional stakeholders to drive initiatives that impact product development and processes.

You will deliver structured learnings, maintain documentation, and translate complex results into clear presentations for leadership while gaining practical experience across engineering,

Qualifications

• Self-motivated with proactive mindset and ability to work independently.
• Highly organized with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Clear written and spoken English; comfortable collaborating across teams.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned workflows from onboarding to measurable impact.
• Partner with mentors, cross-functional peers, and regional stakeholders across EMEA.
• Support daily operations, streamline routines, and maintain internal documentation.
• Present project learnings, outcomes, or insights to leadership with data.
• Coordinate sample development with suppliers translating technical requirements.
• Build, track, and maintain end-to-end sample production schedules.
• Collect, document, and categorize empirical learnings and challenges.
• Translate results into clear decks and debriefs for Innovation and Product teams.

Skills

Ownership mindset

Structured execution

Communication skills

Education

Industrial production Eng

Job description

In Short

Whether you aim to launch your career or gain practical experience in a new domain, interning at On offers exceptional growth opportunities, immediate impact, and a direct contribution to our global expansion. We seek inquisitive minds and energetic individuals ready to drive meaningful change. Our six-month internship programs fully integrate you within a dedicated team environment.

Program Details

- Start date: March 1st

- Program length: 6 months

- Requirements: Valid work authorization for Switzerland (or EU/EFTA citizenship)

- Compensation: Fully paid internship position

- Eligibility note: Meeting these basic criteria (start date, program length availability, work authorization) is essential for consideration. Please ensure complete accuracy in your responses, as our talent team deeply values transparency.

We recommend watching the recording of our careerfairy livestream for our previous cohort in September to hear former interns share their internship experience, get an insider’s look at different departments and pick up some tips and tricks from our recruiters to help you ace the application process!

Your Mission

Global Core Expectations

• End-to-End Project Ownership: Take direct accountability for assigned operational workflows and sub-projects, driving tasks from initial onboarding through to measurable business impact over your 6-month tenure.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner closely with mentors, cross-functional peers, and regional stakeholders across EMEA to align on shared milestones and execute business priorities.
• Process Optimization & Standards:Assist with daily team operations, streamline routines, and optimize internal documentation to maintain premium execution standards.
• Strategic Deliverables & Insights: Present project learnings, campaign outcomes, or analytical findings to team leadership using structured storytelling and clear data insights.

Role-Specific Deliverables

• Sample development:based on the SSL study, serving as the direct operational contact with suppliers for experimental sample builds, translating technical requirements into clear sample requests.
• Timeline & delivery management: build, track, and maintain end-to-end sample production schedules, proactively mitigating lead-time risks and bottlenecking to ensure prototypes arrive on schedule.
• Centralized learnings repository: systematically gather, document, and categorize empirical learnings, production challenges, and test observations from each sample iteration.
• Cross-Functional synthesis: translate complex experimental results into clear, structured summary decks and technical debriefs tailored for Innovation and Product teams.

Your Story

Global Core Qualifications

• Ownership & Growth Mindset:Highly self-motivated with a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable taking initiative, navigating ambiguity, and driving solutions independently across a 6-month commitment.
• Structured Execution & Organization: Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on structured processes.
• Effective Communication & Authentic Connection:Clear verbal and written communication skills in English, with confidence to interact, share updates, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across levels.

Role-Specific Requirements & Nice-to-Haves

• Academic Background: Enrolled in or recently graduated from Industrial production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sports Science, or a related discipline.
• Organized & Analytical: Comfortable handling projects and eager to solve technical footwear challenges
• Communication: Fluent in English with the ability to summarize and present technical observations clearly.
• Mindset:Adaptable team player who embodies On’s spirits (Explorer, Athlete, Team, and Positive).

Your Team

We make dreams a reality.

The Innovation team thinks beyond sports and footwear. Every day, we ask ourselves how we can create a better world, life and experience for everyone. Teamwork makes it happen. We’re experts in engineering, sport science and design operating very much like a research laboratory. Together, we challenge the limits of what’s possible — creating solutions that shape not only the future of On but the industry.

What we Offer

Ready to gear up and move with us? You’ll hit the ground running with an onboarding voucher and exclusive On product store credits to gear up in the latest apparel, accessories, and footwear. Because being off is just as important as being on so we cultivate a space where you can rest, recharge and thrive holistically. You will be supported through full access to mental wellbeing counselling and coaching via Kyan Health as well as dedicated internship learning sessions and workshops to supercharge your growth. We also make sure you’re fully protected and supported for the future with comprehensive accident, disability, and income protection coverage.

On is a place that is 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. Start date contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.