Senior Specialist - Innovation Footwear Developer

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

On invites you to join the Innovation team in Zürich as an Innovation Footwear Developer. You will collaborate with product teams to translate footwear innovation work into advanced products and to create future technologies that define the brand.

You will lead the development of future-oriented concepts within the R&D organization, manage high-impact projects, document transfer manuals, and work with Asia partners to ensure successful knowledge transfer and scalable manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Technology Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of footwear development experience, with a strong background in performance running.
• Solid hands-on prototyping and tooling knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation of innovative product concepts from conception to completion.
• Oversee technology development, sample creation, uppers, tooling, and molds.
• Manage multiple high-impact innovation projects with autonomy and ownership.
• Collaborate across designers, engineers, and partners to ensure scalable processes.
• Document transfer manuals and ensure effective cross-border information transfer.
• Work with Asia teams to ensure successful knowledge transfer.

Skills

Footwear development

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototyping & tooling

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sports Technology Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

The Innovation Footwear Developer will collaborate with product teams to shape the future of On's product line, by translating footwear innovation work into advanced footwear products and by creating future technologies that will define the brand. This role is responsible for leading the development of future-oriented concepts within the R&D organization.

Your mission

• Manage and execute the creation of innovative product concepts from conception to completion, overseeing technology development, sample creation and assembly, as well as the development of uppers, toolings, technologies, and molds.
• Management of multiple high-impact innovation projects with complete autonomy and ownership. Strategic planning and aligning with company goals.
• Engage in complex problem-solving, tackling challenges related to product intricacies, process optimization, efficiency enhancement, model making and the enablement of scalable manufacturing practices.
• Ensure seamless communication and collaboration by acting as a bridge between designers, conceptual footwear innovators, model makers, pattern engineers, technology partners and other stakeholders. Ensure that scalability is carefully considered for every project.
• Work closely with the Sport Science, Innovation Design, Footwear Engineering, and Innovation Material Science teams to create an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration and drive the development of innovative prototypes.
• Create and update the transfer Manual, by meticulously documenting processes, including key data, design images, and detailed product/process descriptions to ensure it remains a comprehensive and user-friendly resource for successful technical knowledge transfer.
• Forge strong connections with our development teams in Asia, actively participating in the assurance of successful information transfer strategies, and fostering a collaborative cross-border working relationship.
• Demonstrate expertise in fabricating and assembling materials and components, utilizing a diverse array of machinery and hand tools. This includes, but is not limited to, proficiency in cutting, injecting, sanding, buffing, sewing, welding, pressing, and lasting processes.

Your story

• Experience: 5+ years of footwear development experience, with a strong background in the performance running category.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Technology Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Manufacturing & Hands-On Prototyping: Solid foundational knowledge of footwear construction, upper development, tooling, pattern engineering, and sample building.
• Material & Foam Mastery: Hands-on experience developing advanced upper textiles, bottom unit superfoams, sustainable material alternatives, and performance ingredients.
• Data-to-Product translation: Ability to translate sports science data, athlete feedback, and mechanical testing results into actionable product features and structural solutions.
• Project Management & Stakeholder Alignment: Proven track record of managing multi-stakeholder projects under tight seasonal deadlines, effectively presenting design updates, performance parameters, and costing details to leadership.
• Communication & Cultural Fluency: Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to collaborate across global teams, Asia production partners, and multi-disciplinary R&D units.
• Travel: Willingness to travel internationally up to 15% of the time for factory reviews, supplier collaboration, and prototype builds.

Meet the team

On’s Innovation team is responsible for On’s future innovation, out-of-the-box thinking and the outstanding athlete-informed technology that differentiates On footwear from all other footwear products in the market. If you are interested in being a part of an agile and interdisciplinary team of experts in the area of engineering and sports sciences, come join us!

What We Offer

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.