Footwear Design Intern, Inline

Brooksrunning; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 35,232 - 50,179; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Internship

Housing Subsidy

Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage

60% Employee Discount

Paid Holidays

Sign‑on bonus

Job summary

Brooksrunning is offering a Footwear Design Internship in Seattle for 6 months, commencing July 13, 2026. Interns will gain hands-on experience in footwear design, collaborating closely with professionals and contributing to real-world projects.

The role requires strong design skills, proficiency in Adobe tools, and a passion for performance footwear. The internship includes a paid compensation of $31/hour, with additional benefits like medical coverage and an employee discount.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a junior or above in a university majoring in relevant fields.
• Strong portfolio showcasing innovative thinking and a passion for design.
• Demonstrated talent in sketching and concept development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with partners to create innovative running footwear.
• Seek and apply feedback to develop design solutions.
• Create hand sketches and digital renderings for design concepts.

Skills

Sketching and concept development

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

3D design software

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Understanding of color and materials

Education

Junior or above in Product Design, Industrial Design, Footwear Design

Job description

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

• Runner First
  • We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond
  • We do what we say we’ll do
• Champion Heart
  • We give our all in everything we do
• There is no “I” in Run
  • We stay generous with our humanity
• Keep Moving
  • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

Brooks Internship Program:

Brooks Running hosts internships at our Seattle HQ offices to provide hands‑on, meaningful work experience to further enhance your education and professional aptitude. Our interns gain exposure to real work, and projects while working side by side with Brooks employees and leadership. If chosen for this role, you will embark on 6 months of learning, professional development, and exposure to the Brooks brand and culture.

Internship Details:

• Duration: 6 months
• Internship Target Start: July 13, 2026
• Compensation: $31.00
• Location: Seattle, HQ
• Schedule: 40 hours / week
• Please apply if you can commit to the duration, salary and location for this opportunity.

Your Opportunity

As a Brooks Footwear Design Intern, you will support the creation of innovative footwear concepts under the guidance of the members of the Footwear Design team. You will gain exposure to all aspects of the product creation process, including construction, color, form, style, detail, fit, performance, and cost/value considerations.

As a Brooks Footwear Design Intern, you will work in close collaboration with cross‑functional product creation partners, building foundational design skills while contributing to real‑world projects. Through hands‑on experience and mentorship, you will develop a strong understanding of the footwear design process and create a portfolio that reflects both creative growth and product creation knowledge.

This will be a 6‑month internship, with the possibility of a 6‑month extension based on performance and feedback from the Footwear Design team, and your Footwear Design mentor.

Your Project

As part of your experience as a Footwear Design Intern at Brooks, you will complete an individual design project under the guidance of a Senior Footwear Designer. Project details will be determined based on your interests, development goals, and business needs.

Throughout the internship, you will apply your design skills, explore creative solutions, and gain hands‑on experience within the footwear creation process. At the conclusion of the internship, you will present your project to the Footwear Design team, showcasing your design process, storytelling, and final concept while further developing your communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Development and Product Line Management partners to support the creation of innovative running footwear that resonates with runners and reflects the Brooks “Let’s Run There” spirit.
• Seek and apply feedback from cross‑functional partners to develop design solutions that balance cost/value, fit, performance, manufacturability, sustainability, merchandising, and aesthetic execution.
• Build knowledge of the running consumer and running culture to help inform product performance, appearance, and design opportunities across categories, customer segments or emerging trends.
• Analyze pre‑line feedback from Sales, Marketing, Merchandising, and other partners to better understand consumer needs and support brand alignment.
• Create hand sketches, digital renderings, and presentation materials to clearly communicate and present design concepts.
• Support the exploration and development of footwear concepts through research, ideation, and iterative design work.
• Apply feedback and learned techniques to strengthen design solutions and continue building design craft and problem‑solving skills.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a junior or above in a university (or equivalent degree program) majoring in Product Design, Industrial Design, Footwear Design, or a related field.
• Demonstrated talent in sketching and concept development.
• Strong portfolio showcasing innovative thinking and a passion for performance footwear design.
• Solid understanding of color, materials, texture, human factors, and form in product design.
• High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
• Experience with 3D design software is a plus.
• Previous performance footwear design experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, plastics, and other engineering materials is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution, while understanding how individual design decisions impact the overall product.
• Ability to anticipate how design decisions affect customers, partners, products, and cross‑functional teams, connecting the broader system across the organization.
• Demonstrated innovation and initiative, with a drive to improve products and processes while remaining hands‑on and detail‑oriented.
• Must be able to collaborate in a team‑orientated environment.
• Experience using AI for ideation support or brainstorming desired.
• Passion for sport is a plus, with a strong ability to understand and empathize with runners to build meaningful connections with the Brooks community.
• Embraces and lives Brooks values.

Benefits

• Paid Internship
• Sign‑on bonus to provide financial support before first paycheck
• Housing Subsidy
• Travel Fee Coverage
• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• 60% Employee Discount
• Paid Holidays
• Undergraduate Intern: $31/hour

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two‑spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non‑merit based factors.