Product Developer FTW (Parental Leave Cover)

Axel-Arigato; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Axel Arigato is seeking a Product Developer for parental leave cover in Gothenburg to lead footwear development from concept to final samples. You will work with Design, Sustainability, Merchandising and Operations, coordinating with factories to ensure design integrity and timely delivery.

The role requires deep technical knowledge, ownership from prototype to final approval, and a proactive, collaboration-driven mindset. On-site position with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in footwear development.
• Proven experience managing multiple seasonal and innovation development projects.
• Collaborative experience with design teams, offering technical direction.
• Solution-oriented and proactive.
• Highly organized with strong technical and aesthetic judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full development lifecycle from concept to confirmation samples.
• Collaborate with Design, sourcing, and external factories to meet design ambitions, timelines and tech requirements.
• Create accurate tech packs, BOMs, and other specs; enrich PLM data.
• Provide technical expertise on constructions, lasts, tooling, and new developments; offer solution-focused options.
• Develop new materials, treatments, and construction ideas for the AA toolbox.
• Review costing/CBDs and recommend cost-saving solutions.
• Conduct supplier visits to ensure quality and timelines.

Skills

Footwear development

Project management

Collaborative skills

Technical direction

Communication

Tools

Rhino

3D printing

outsole prototyping

Job description

Product Developer FTW (Parental Leave Cover)

We're looking for a Product Developer in Footwear to cover a parental leave for approximately one year. The role is responsible for leading the development of footwear products from concept to final confirmation sample approval, including both new constructions and updates to existing styles through new materials and colorways.

The role collaborates closely with internal teams - Design, Sustainability, Merchandising, and Operations - as well as external suppliers to ensure a smooth and efficient development process.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

You're a skilled collaborator with deep technical knowledge - someone who builds trust with factories and design teams alike, and takes full ownership from prototype to final approval.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Drive the full development lifecycle from concept, prototyping, BOMs, technical development, wear testing, and Salesman samples through to confirmation samples

Work closely with the Design team as well as the sourcing office and external factories to ensure execution follows all design ambitions as well as timelines and tech requirements

Create accurate tech packs, BOMs, and other specs and ensure all PLM data is enriched

Provide technical expertise on constructions, lasts, tooling, and new developments - anticipate and resolve technical or production issues early in development; always bring solution-focused options

Develop new materials, treatments, and construction ideas to enrich the AA design toolbox

Review costing/CBDs and recommend cost-saving solutions

Conduct supplier visits as needed to ensure quality adherence to development timelines

ARE YOU THE ONE?

Minimum 5+ years’ experience in footwear development

Proven experience managing multiple seasonal and innovation development projects

Collaborative experience working with design teams, offering technical direction - at least two years within a brand

Solution-oriented and proactive

Highly organized with strong technical and aesthetic judgment

Confident communicator with factories and suppliers

Experience with Rhino (or similar), as well as 3D printing and outsole prototyping, is a plus.

DETAILS Contract type: Full-time, parental leave cover of approximately 1 year. Estimated starting date: January 2027 Reports to: Head of Development & Production FTW Location: Gothenburg Work mode: On-site, travel required

ABOUT AXEL ARIGATO

Founded in Sweden in 2014 by Albin Johansson and Max Svärdh, Axel Arigato was born with a disruptive mindset, modernising and democratising the sneaker landscape through a blend of style, quality, community and a digital-first approach.

Grounded in Scandinavian minimalism and elevated with playful, intentional details, every piece is designed with care: crafted to move globally, worn with individuality.

What began online expanded into physical spaces built for energetic cultural exchange: stores and experiences where conversations, performances and unexpected activations dissolve the boundaries between brand and culture.

Today, Axel Arigato continues to evolve with purpose via a people-powered approach. It shows up where culture happens: on streets, at events and across cities.

Built on curiosity. Driven by connection.

OUR VALUES:

DROP Diversity, Respect, Openness and Passion are our values that we live and breathe. They are the foundation for our current state and what we will always bring with us to the future.