Footwear Designer

Axel Arigato AB; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 485,018 - 646,690; Full time

Job summary

Axel Arigato AB in Göteborg is seeking a talented FTW Designer to spearhead footwear creation while ensuring cultural relevance and quality. Ideal candidates will bring at least 5 years of sneaker design experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related discipline.

Your role will involve end-to-end design processes, cross-functional collaboration, and active research on consumer trends, ensuring innovative and market-responsive footwear. Join us to be part of an exciting brand expansion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in sneaker design.
• Demonstrated experience in creating new silhouettes and designs.
• Strong collaborator with a feedback-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end footwear creation from ideation to production.
• Support creative direction and collaborate with design teams.
• Conduct market and cultural research for design inspiration.

Skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Cultural awareness

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Proficiency in Adobe Suite

3D design interest

Innovative thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in FTW Design or related discipline

Tools

Adobe Suite

Job description

Overview

We're making a big move and we want you to be part of it. We are relocating several of our core departments from London to Gothenburg, and as a result, we're growing our Swedish team in a major way. This means we're hiring across multiple departments simultaneously - including Brand, Product, Design, and more.

This is a unique moment to join a fast-moving, internationally recognised fashion brand as we expand our presence in Sweden. If you've been waiting for an opportunity to be part of something exciting - this is it.

Role Overview

We are looking for our next FTW Designer. This position is responsible for creating footwear that is both culturally relevant and of exceptional quality - consistently challenging creative norms while ensuring all designs remain true to the distinctive aesthetic and strategic objectives of Axel Arigato. Each collection must reflect an understanding of contemporary culture and trends, while pushing the boundaries of innovation and craftsmanship within the brand's framework. This position will focus on elevating and innovating across the entire sneaker range including color and material concepts.

What We Are Looking For

You are entrepreneurial and self-motivated - someone who brings both cultural curiosity and commercial awareness to every project, and thrives in fast, evolving environments.

What You Will Do

• End-to-end footwear creation: ideation to production-ready sign-off, including silhouettes, sketches, colorways, blueprints, assortments, and detailing CADs
• Creative direction support: support CD and design teams on concepts, storytelling, mood boards, seasonal direction, and compelling internal presentations
• Market and cultural intelligence: stay deeply informed on consumer behaviour, trends, materials, and cultural movements; act as a proactive source of inspiration
• Technical development: create technical specs, detailed instructions for PD and engineers; support with last development, and enhance material diversity across the range
• Cross-functional collaboration: partner with Product Development to iterate samples and ensure precision, performance, and quality
• Communication and presentation: build strong relationships with peers, give and receive feedback in a respectful way, and present design concepts and processes internally
• Research and sourcing: lead seasonal and cultural research, attend fairs (Milan, Paris), and source innovative materials and processes
• Team contribution: demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, and embrace team-work

Are You the One?

• Bachelor's degree in FTW Design or a closely related discipline
• Minimum of 5 years experience in sneaker design
• Demonstrated experience in creating new silhouettes, upper designs and color/material executions
• Proficient in Adobe Suite, with a keen interest in 3D design and AI tools
• Highly detail-oriented, culturally aware, and disruptive thinker
• Strong collaborator with a commercial and feedback-driven mindset
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, forward-thinking - thrives in fast, evolving environments

Details

Contract type: Permanent

Reports to: Creative Director

Location: Gothenburg HQ

Working model: On-site

Direct reports: No

Start date: ASAP

Financial responsibility: No

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.