Designer II Running Footwear

PUMA North America, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA North America, Inc. is seeking a Footwear Designer 2 in Boston to translate athlete insights, biomechanics, and PUMA's design direction into distinctive, high‑performing Performance Running footwear from brief to commercialization.

You will work across race day, speed, cushioning, stability, and trail, collaborating with athletes, the global product creation team, and cross‑functional partners to bring ideas from concept to factory-ready products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial/Footwear Design or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years in professional footwear design, especially performance running.
• Portfolio showing original concepts and commercialization readiness.
• Strong understanding of foot anatomy and running biomechanics.
• Excellent 2D sketching, rendering, and design storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Own design execution from brief through technical package and commercialization.
• Interpret briefs with Product Line Management to align athlete needs and commercial priorities.
• Research needs and generate multiple concept solutions across materials and construction.
• Communicate design intent with boards, sketches, AI designs, prototypes, and digital models.
• Create tech packs, specs, and factory-ready documentation.
• Use 2D/3D tools to speed concept validation and factory execution.
• Balance athlete benefit, design intent, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability.
• Stay connected with runners and validate concepts with athletes.

Skills

Footwear design

3D design tools

2D sketching

Athlete insights

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial / Footwear Design

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

PowerPoint

3D prototyping tools

Job description

SPEED & SPIRIT is what we look for in our candidates, defined by some simple values that inspire us to BE DRIVEN in our performance, BE VIBRANT in our sporting legacy, BE TOGETHER in our team spirit, and to let our individual talent and experience shine. Applying for a job at PUMA is easy.

YOUR MISSION

Help shape the future of PUMA Performance Running. As a Footwear Designer 2, you will translate athlete insights, biomechanics, emerging technologies, and PUMA's design direction into distinctive, high-performing footwear. Working across race day, speed, cushioning, stability, and trail, you will balance performance, aesthetics, engineering, manufacturability, and commercial opportunity to create products that move runners and the brand forward.

This role is for a curious, hands-on designer who challenges conventions, develops multiple solutions, and turns complex performance needs into clear, compelling product experiences. You will work closely with athletes, runners, and our global product creation team to bring ideas from initial brief through commercialization.

Design and Product Creation

• Own the design execution of assigned Performance Running footwear projects from product brief and initial concept through technical package completion and commercialization.

• Partner with Product Line Management to interpret and strengthen briefs, identifying athlete needs, consumer opportunities, performance objectives, and commercial priorities.

• Research project needs and generate multiple concept solutions across midsole, outsole, upper construction, materials and complete product expression.

• Communicate design intent through concept boards, hand sketches, 2D drawings, AI generated design, physical prototypes, digital models, and clear product storytelling.

• Create detailed performance tech packs, upper specifications, midsole and outsole blueprints, tooling direction, color and material specifications, and factory-ready design documentation.

• Use 2D and 3D tools to increase the clarity, fidelity, and speed of design concepts for both internal validation and factory execution.

• Create innovative and commercially viable products that balance athlete benefit, design intent, fit, function, manufacturability, quality, costing, sustainability, and category opportunity.

• Integrate seasonal color, material, and performance trends while maintaining a performance-first approach and a recognizable PUMA Running expression.

Creative Storytelling

• Apply and help evolve the PUMA Performance Running design ethos, creating consistency across the portfolio while giving each franchise a distinct performance expression.

• Prepare and deliver compelling physical and digital presentations that show the exploratory process, athlete insight, product narrative, color, materials, finishes, and final design recommendation.

• Confidently present concepts and design solutions to creative leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, gaining alignment while receiving and applying constructive feedback.

• Contribute thoughtful critique, original ideas, and fresh perspectives during design reviews, seasonal creative direction work, and collaborative workshops.

Athlete Insights and Validation

• Stay closely connected to runners, run culture, the marketplace, and the competitive landscape to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.

• Participate in athlete interviews, wear tests, fit reviews, product assessments, market research, and prototype reviews to deepen understanding of performance needs.

• Translate qualitative and quantitative athlete feedback, biomechanical insights, and testing data into meaningful design improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Footwear Design, Color and Materials, Product Line Management, Development, Testing Product Operations, Marketing, and Sales to create aligned product propositions.

• Work with Product Line Management on product strategy, consumer insights, category opportunities, briefs, and commercial decision-making.

• Partner closely with Development, factory, sourcing, and material partners to resolve construction, fit, material, costing, and manufacturing challenges while maintaining design fidelity.

Project Ownership and Accountability

• Manage multiple projects across overlapping seasons, balancing shifting priorities while meeting all design milestones and maintaining a high standard of quality.

• Maintain accurate project information, technical files, design documentation, and milestone deliverables throughout the seasonal process.

YOUR TALENT

• A Bachelor's degree in Industrial / Product Design, Footwear Design, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

• 2-4 years of professional footwear design experience, including demonstrated experience in technical Performance Running footwear or a closely related performance category.

• A portfolio demonstrating original Performance Running concepts, athlete-led problem-solving, technical execution, compelling storytelling, and products developed toward commercialization.

• Strong understanding of foot anatomy, running biomechanics, athlete needs, footwear fit, and the different demands of road, race day, cushioning, stability, and trail products.

• Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials, prototyping, manufacturing processes, product creation timelines, costing, and design for commercialization.

• Excellent 2D sketching, rendering, visualization, technical-package, presentation, and verbal communication skills.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint and other standard business tools.

• Working knowledge of, or a strong desire to develop proficiency in, 3D and emerging design tools such as digital prototyping, and responsible AI-supported workflows.

• Physical prototyping and hands-on model-making capability, with the ability to demonstrate and evaluate ideas in tangible form.

• Ability to present confidently to senior leadership, collaborate across disciplines and cultures, receive critique, and iterate quickly without losing sight of the design vision.

• Genuine curiosity about runners, athlete performance, running culture, emerging technologies, and the evolving needs of the global running community.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed for athlete sessions, races, development reviews, factories, suppliers, trade shows, and team events; approximately 15% annually.

The hiring range base pay for this position is $62,700 - $83,500 + Bonus + Benefits

(Benefit Summary Corporate)

Pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

PUMA provides equal opportunities for all job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Equality for all is one of the core principles at PUMA and we do not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination.

At PUMA, every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity - no matter your background, identity, or experience.To ensure our process stays true to these values, no automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions. Every decision is made by real people -with real judgment and accountability. We may use functions supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out isolated organizational steps, such as scheduling interviews. These functions have no influence on decisions in the application process. We believe in creating spaces where everyone is welcome, celebrated, and empowered to contribute authentically. Because at PUMA, whoever wants to play, can play.

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in 120+ countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide.

PUMA is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of PUMA to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, physical or mental disability, veteran-status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.For additional information, please contact: [e-mail]