Associate Footwear Developer Intern

KEEN; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Product discounts

Subsidized cafeteria

Inspiring workspace

Job summary

KEEN is offering an Associate Footwear Developer Intern position at our Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. This 10-week program (June 14–August 20) provides hands-on footwear development experience, collaboration with industry experts, and exposure to cost engineering and prototype execution.

You’ll work closely with lead footwear developers and product managers, learn footwear constructions basics, and engage with the extended footwear team to support the calendar of expectations for

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sports Management, Movement Science, or related field.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited college/university at junior, senior, or graduate level; recent grads considered.
• On-site internship in Portland, OR, 40 hours/week, M–F 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assist in footwear development and prototypes under supervision.
• Maintain data integrity in Centric Footwear database.
• Communicate technical packages to factory partners during prototyping phases.
• Collaborate with lead developers and product managers to meet calendar-based GTM milestones.
• Perform cost engineering to land projects in development stages.

Skills

Creativity

Communication

Proactive & curiosity

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sports Management, Movement Science or related field

Job description

Are you passionate about sandals, boots, and everything in between? Do you live and breathe sustainability? Do you have a creative eye, a hunger to learn, and a KEEN interest in the outdoor industry? If you said yes to any of the above, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Position: Associate Footwear Developer Intern

Location: KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (on-site)

Duration: 10 weeks

Compensation: $22/hour

Program Duration: Monday, June 14th – Friday, August 20th

What You’ll Do

As an Intern at KEEN (KEENtern), you’ll dive into the exciting world of footwear, innovation, and community! You’ll get hands‑on experience working alongside industry experts and contribute to shaping the future of KEEN.

As an Associate Footwear Intern at KEEN (KEENtern), you’ll dive into the exciting world of footwear, innovation, and community! You’ll get hands‑on experience working alongside industry experts and contribute to shaping the future of KEEN. The Associate Footwear developer communicates technical concepts to our factory partners through collaboration and prototyping phases. You will work side by side with lead footwear developers and product managers to execute prototypes set against a specific calendar of expectations. Most importantly; the footwear intern will learn the footwear constructions basics, communicate with the extended footwear team, and perform cost engineering required to land projects in the development stages of a product season.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintain data integrity with the product criteria by administering updates to Footwear database system (Centric).
• Communicate Footwear Technical package and drive calendar-based objectives through prototype phases of a GTM (Go To Market) calendar.
• Document and deliver cost-based scenarios by breaking down cost information to enhance product development decisions in order to achieve cost goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sports Management, Movement Science, or a related field.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university at the Junior, Senior, or Graduate level. You will also be considered if you have recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
• Must be able to work 40 hours/week during the internship program during normal working hours (Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and be available to work in the office 5 days/week.
• Be curious!

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who embodies our passion for creativity, sustainability, and the great outdoors. Our ideal KEENtern is:

• Passionate: Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, committed to sustainability, or fascinated by footwear trends and innovation, you’re excited to engage with the world around you.
• Creatively Minded: You’re detail‑oriented, love bringing fresh ideas to life, and have a knack for solving problems.
• A Strong Communicator: Whether it’s collaborating with a team or presenting ideas, you know how to express yourself clearly and effectively.
• Proactive & Eager to Learn: You’re curious, ready to ask questions, take initiative, and dive into new challenges with enthusiasm.

Why Intern with Us?

Being a KEENtern Means You’re Not Just An Intern—you’re a Valued Part Of Our KEEN Community. Here’s What You Can Look Forward To

• Meaningful Work: Tackle real‑world projects that make an impact, gaining valuable hands‑on experience at a globally recognized brand.
• Collaborative Environment: Partner with talented teammates and work on a group project with other KEENterns.
• Networking Opportunities: Build connections with industry experts and mentors who can help shape your career.
• Perks & Benefits: Enjoy product discounts, a subsidized cafeteria, and an inspiring workspace.
• Outdoor Adventures: Immerse yourself in Portland – a vibrant city nestled between the mountains and the coast – a hub for all things outdoors, such as hiking, biking, rafting, camping, and climbing.

Program Requirements

To qualify for this internship, you must:

• Be a Junior, Senior, or Graduate student working toward a degree in Engineering, Sports Management, Movement Science, or a related field.
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• Commit to a 10-week program from mid‑June through mid‑August.
• Dedicate 40 hours per week during standard M‑F work week.
• This is an onsite role located at our beautiful headquarters office in Portland, OR.
• Plan no more than four total days of vacation during the internship.
• Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Able to learn and adapt quickly to new software and tools.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, strong attention to detail in preparation of presentations, reports, and materials.
• Demonstrate strong organization skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaborate with a team.
• Able to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation, including using a computer for extended periods.

Travel: Occasional travel in and around the larger Portland area to support activations.

Other Requirements

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

Fuerst Group, KEEN and Chrome are equal opportunity employers. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.