Footwear Designer

Fromfolio; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 117,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

New Balance Footwear Design is seeking a Senior Footwear Project Designer, Design Accelerator to rapidly create prototypes from initial sketches and translate them into factory-ready concepts. You will own techpacks, guide shell patterns, and mentor teams while coordinating with 3D design and materials specialists.

The role demands 5+ years of footwear design experience, strong PM skills, and fluency with Adobe Creative Suite plus 3D tools like Gravity Sketch and Rhino.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related footwear field.
• 5+ years of footwear design experience, preferably in lifestyle.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite; experience with 3D design tools and AI-based concept exploration.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Refine initial sketches into factory-ready prototypes.
• Lead upper quick-spec and techpack creation through first prototype.
• Coordinate with 3D design, materials, and product development teams.
• Mentor design practices across the organization and manage multiple projects.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Footwear design

Project management

3D design tools

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related footwear design

Tools

Gravity Sketch

Rhino

Vizcom / Midjourney AI tools

Job description

Senior Footwear Project Designer, Design Accelerator

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Job Mission:

At New Balance Footwear Design, our mission is to unlock the full potential of our team’s creativity. The Senior Footwear Project Designer, Design Accelerator will support in the rapid creation of footwear prototypes as a part of our Design Accelerator function. This person will work with other footwear designers, taking selected initial sketch work and refining the designs into fully factory-ready concepts. Relying on their considerable design experience, they will use their knowledge of factory processes, sole specification standards, and upper constructions to expedite the first prototype. They will serve as the liaison between product design, 3D design, materials designer and product developer. As someone who interacts heavily with the factories and development teams, they will also serve as a mentor on footwear design best practices to the wider design organization.

Major Accountabilities:

Sketch Refinement:

• Create quick sketches as may be needed to elaborate on the initial concept.
• Collaborate with designer and product manager to gain alignment on initial proto direction/sketch work.
• Bring added realism through Vizcom material exploration or Gravity Sketch study models.

Upper Quick-Spec:

• Upper spec creation is a key component of design communication to the factory and central to this role.
• Collaborate closely with materials design team. Have a central understanding of appropriate materials selection to achieve design intent, cost targets, durability and sustainability requirements.
• Create initial shell pattern when required.
• Owns' the techpack creation and revision throughout initial first prototype phase.
• Assists in the transition of that techpack to the inline design team after first proto.

Sole Model Creation:

• Creates initial sketches of outsole design, when needed.
• Communicates to 3D designer base form intent, last selection, and key section details.
• Works with 3D designer and product designer to refine 3D models before prints are created.

Collaboration & Problem Solving:

• Act as a liaison between Design Development and PM ensuring alignment and smooth communication.
• Able to navigate ambiguity with confidence, using resourcefulness to solve problems to clarify design intent.
• Work with a high level of urgency and ownership to meet deadlines and maintain project momentum.

Requirements for Success:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or other footwear-related design field (product, graphics, or fashion).
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite tools a must. 3D experience with Gravity Sketch, Rhino, etc. and AI experience such as Vizcom or Midjourney are a bonus.
• 5+ years of footwear design experience, preferably working in the Lifestyle category.
• Strong project management skills and team collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Salary Range:

Boston, MA Headquarters - (NB) Only Pay Range: $117,400.00 - $152,000.00 - $186,600.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)