Senior Lead - Lightspray Digital Engineering

ON.com LLC; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Senior Lead for Lightspray Digital Engineering in Zürich to drive advanced parametric design in footwear. You will lead a team of computational designers, translate early algorithmic concepts into production-ready blueprints, and push the boundaries of digital manufacturing.

You will own end-to-end development from concept to scalable manufacturing, build AI-driven modular design foundations, and collaborate with design, engineering, and vendors to ensure high-volume readiness

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in high-level product design environments.
• Proven experience leading teams and large-scale projects in agile environments.
• Strong portfolio of computational design and performance product solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and Grow: Build, mentor, and inspire a team of computational design experts, fostering a culture that connects creative exploration with scalable engineering.
• Bridge Concept to Scale: translate early conceptual 3D datasets into fully production-ready manufacturing blueprints.
• Advanced Manufacturability: Engineer designs for factory replication with system automation, robotics, and interoperable workflows.
• Algorithmic Grading & Fit: Implement parametric design to build adaptable systems for inline product creation and full-size run grading.
• Architect an AI-Driven Modular Foundation: Build a centralized digital library of reusable parametric design modules using AI.
• Automated Grading & Parametric Scaling: Develop parametric models and Grasshopper scripts to automate design generation and scaling.
• Cross-Functional Hub: Liaise between Innovation, Footwear Design, and vendors to negotiate requirements and finalize scalability sign-offs.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Apply root-cause analysis to resolve LS upper requirements and create clear manufacturing manuals.

Skills

Computational design

Leadership

Agile methodologies

Parametric design

AI / Generative algorithms

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Grasshopper

Rhino

Job description

## Senior Lead - Lightspray Digital EngineeringZurichApply NowUse AI to find out how well you match with this jobJob ID: JR26050744Date posted: 05/25/2026Function: Footwear Product Creation## In ShortServing as a driving force at the intersection of digital design and advanced manufacturing, yourprimary focus will be on tackling technical complexity and advancing parametric design systems.You will oversee the end-to-end integration of pioneering footwear, ensuring visionary aestheticsalign seamlessly with demanding performance, grading, and scalability requirements.In this role, you will leverage your expertise in digital parametric systems and product creation tobridge the gap between early algorithmic concepts and high-volume manufacturing. Leading aspecialized team of computational design experts with a high degree of autonomy, you will pushthe boundaries of footwear innovation to ensure complex generative designs scale effectivelyinto production-ready footwear.## Your TeamOn's Lightspray creation team is an agile, interdisciplinary group of footwear creation, advancedmanufacturing, and future of sport experts, driving On's future innovations and athlete-informedtechnologies that set On footwear apart. We challenge the status quo and push boundaries topioneer footwear innovation. As a member of the On Lightpsray Creation Team, you will thinkoutside the box and bring new, innovative ideas to life.## Your Mission* Lead and Grow: Build, mentor, and inspire a team of computational design experts,fostering a culture that seamlessly connects creative exploration with scalableengineering.* Bridge Concept to Scale: Spearhead the integration and scale process by translatingearly conceptual 3D datasets into fully production-ready manufacturing blueprints for the most innovative Lightspray products.* Advanced Manufacturability: Engineer designs for factory replication, leveraging your expertise in system automation, robotics, interoperability workflows, data management, parametric dependences, among others.* Algorithmic Grading & Fit: Implement parametric design principles to build highly adaptable systems, taking full ownership of Inline product creation, full-size run grading, LS upper-pattern adjustments, and tooling intersections to ensure consistency across all sizes in accordance with our Swiss engineering standards.* Architect an AI-Driven Modular Foundation: Build and scale a centralized digital library of reusable, parametric design modules. Leverage AI and generative algorithms to deploy these components across multiple footwear lines with accuracy and consistency.* Automated Grading & Parametric Scaling: Develop advanced parametric models and Grasshopper scripts to automate the generation, modularity, and scaling of complex footwear elements across samples and full-size runs.* Cross-Functional Hub: Act as the critical liaison between Innovation, Footwear Design, and strategic Tier 1/Tier 2 vendors to negotiate technical requirements, update ERP systems, and finalize scalability sign-offs.* Technical Troubleshooting: Apply a rigorous root cause analysis approach to document and resolve complex LS upper requirements, creating clear manufacturing manuals for factory partners and driving commercial success.## Your Story* 7–10 years of experience in high-level product design environments, with a strongportfolio of computational design and performance product solutions.* Proven experience leading teams and large-scale projects in agile environments.* Deep expertise in computational design as well as 2D and 3D tools - from early explorations to production-ready 3D datasets.* Good understanding of traditional manufacturing processes in high-performance footwear (a plus).* An innovative mindset with a strong drive to push the boundaries of footwear design. Ability to work independently under deadlines on multiple projects simultaneously, combining creative thinking with engineering problem-solving skills.* Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment. With a natural technical curiosity and a robust, root-cause analysis approach to problem-solving.* Exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to confidently present to senior management and external partners.* A demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, navigating ambiguity, and making independent judgments on complex and significant issues.* Experience in mentoring junior team members or supervising project activities.* Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.## What We OfferOn 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.