INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - FOOTWEAR DESIGN (M/F/D)

adidas; Herzogenaurach; On-site; EUR 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

On-site gym

Training & LinkedIn Learning

Mentorship program

Networking events

Company sports program

Job summary

adidas seeks a Footwear Design Intern to collaborate with designers, product managers and developers to shape top-tier footwear concepts. You will create digital sketches, 3D models and support the entire design process from concept to final product.

The role emphasizes trend insight, fast-paced teamwork and strong storytelling across the season. Applicants should be enrolled full-time in Product/Footwear/Industrial Design, with English proficiency and experience in Illustrator, Photoshop and 3D

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a full-time student for the complete internship duration.
• Penultimate year preferred; ability to graduate within one year after internship.
• Experience with design concepts, CAD work or 3D modeling is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist and observe the entire design phase from concept creation to final product.
• Create digital sketches and 3D models for footwear concepts.
• Support day-to-day tasks and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Fluent English

Storytelling

Sketching & rendering

Cross-functional teamwork

Web/3D visualization

Education

Student in Product/Footwear/Industrial Design

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

3D tools (Blender/Rhino)

Job description

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: FOOTWEAR DESIGN

adidas is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders (incl. gender identity), ethnic and social backgrounds, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions, and beliefs, and those with apparent or non-apparent disabilities*. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees.

• We actively encourage individuals with disabilities to apply and will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process

Applications to this opportunity are considered for all available intern roles within one of the following areas:

• Footwear Design Lifestyle - focus on Color, Materials, and Product Design
• Footwear Design Football
• Footwear Design Running - focus on Color and Materials

As a Footwear Design Intern, you'll collaborate closely with a cross-functional team of designers, product managers, and product developers. Together, we aim to develop top-tier performance and lifestyle products, informed and inspired by athlete feedback, consumer insights and culture trends.

Grow Your Capabilities Through Meaningful Tasks & Projects

• Support team in day-to-day tasks
• Work with the design team to create (digital) design solutions of adidas footwear
• Assist and observe the entire design phase from concept creation of final product
• Gather relevant trend and consumer information for the product category
• Creation of (digital) sketches and 3D models for footwear concepts
• Assist the design team in the design of new footwear concepts for the relevant season supporting the creative phases: Brainstorm, Sketch and Render & Team Concepts
• Support the Execution phase of the process: creating and delivering design / tech packs
• Complete CAD revisions, color updates and technical packages

What Would Make You a Match

• Student of Product Design, Footwear Design, Sportswear Design, Industrial Design, 3D Design or similar
• Fluent in English (written & spoken)
• Fluent in Illustrator and Photoshop programs preferably on a Mac environment
• Good knowledge in working with 3D programs is a plus (Blender, Rhino or similar) and for Innovation Design Strong 3D visualization abilities on different platforms
• Strong storytelling abilities
• Good sketching and renderings skills to communicate concepts and ideas
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with cross-functional teams and handle multiple tasks
• Previous Design experience is a plus
• Previous 3D and CAD work experience is required for Innovation Design

What's In It For You

• Employee discounts on products
• Chances to attend and take part in on-campus events and sponsored adidas events/games
• Structured training and development, access to LinkedIn Learning, Language Training and adidas Learning Portal
• Possibility to join our mentorship program, networking opportunities or employee resource groups
• International intern community and work environment
• Regular development conversations as part of your role
• Inspiring campus with canteens, cafes, reflection rooms and sport facilities including an on-site gym (25€/month) and many more sports facilities
• Company sports program including classes and events focusing on sports and mental health
• Flexible and agile working arrangements (40% home office possible)
• Monthly gross allowance: non-compulsory internship 2.470,00€, compulsory internship 1.930,00€ (Difference due to different taxation, net will be the same)

ELIGIBILITY

• Enrolled as full-time student for the complete duration of the internship
• Or in the so-called gap year between Bachelor and Master’s degree (gap year regulation only applicable to EU citizens due to working permit regulations)
• Candidates in penultimate year of study preferred (following the internship, students should have maximum one year to graduate)
• Availability for the full duration of the internship from March 2027 – August 2027
• Ability to relocate to Herzogenaurach in Germany for the full duration of the internship

KEY FACTS

• Application Deadline: October 31st, 2026, 11:59 PM CET
• Start Date: March 1st, 2027
• Duration: 6 months
• Location: adidas Headquarters in Herzogenaurach (near Nuremberg)

adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.