Footwear Designer I

Vibram Corporation; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vibram Corporation in Portland, Oregon seeks a Designer I on our Inline Development team to craft innovative outsole and midsole concepts. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate customer briefs into market-ready solutions.

Your portfolio should demonstrate footwear design, concept development, and proficiency with 2D/3D CAD; experience with Vizcom is a plus. This role offers hands-on design work in a modern studio setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, or Fashion related field.
• 1–3 years of relevant footwear design experience, including internships.
• Strong passion for footwear, design, and consumer-driven product creation.
• Solid conceptual skills and understanding of form/function.
• Ability to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs).
• Strong sketching, visualization, illustration, and rendering skills.

Responsibilities

• Create compelling design concepts in support of customer product briefs and internal initiatives.
• Adhere to a product development calendar from concept to production mold stages.
• Create technical documentation for global mold teams and internal/customer use.
• Present design concepts, storytelling, and rationale to customers and stakeholders.
• Opportunities exist for concept creation and hands-on making in the Portland Studio.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Skills

Footwear concept design

2D/3D sketching

Tech pack creation

2D/3D CAD

Visualization & rendering

AI-assisted design tools (Vizcom)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design

Bachelor’s degree in Product Design

Tools

Vizcom

CAD software

Job description

Description

At Vibram, we push boundaries, challenge convention, and turn bold ideas into innovative products. We value curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and a drive to make things better. Join our new state-of-the-art Portland Studio and help shape the future of footwear.

As a Designer I on our Inline Development team, you will create innovative footwear concepts with a primary focus on outsole and midsole design. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with some of the most recognized brands in the footwear industry while working on products that span outdoor performance, lifestyle, and vocational applications.

You will be part of a passionate, cross-functional team of Designers, Developers, Innovators, and Performance Experts who are driven to push the boundaries of performance and design. Working with industry-leading rubber and foam compounds, you will craft bold, functional, and market-defining sole solutions aligned with business needs and product creation timelines.

If you're naturally curious about footwear, passionate about product design, and excited by the challenge of turning ideas into tangible products, we'd love to hear from you.

Requirements

• Create compelling design concepts in support of customer product briefs and internal initiatives for footwear soling with guidance from the Design & development teams with customer input.
• Adhere to a product development calendar to include sole design concepts from conception through production mold stages and communicates any/all design issues with our customer to include internal teams located in North America, China and Europe as the project requires.
• Create technical documentation packages supporting global mold teams including support documentation for internal and customer use.
• Present design concepts, storytelling, and rationale to Customers, and Vibram colleagues and stakeholders, including senior management, global sales, marketing and operations functions.
• Opportunities exist for concept creations and hands‑on making activities in our Portland Studio.
• Other duties may be assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, or Fashion Related field required.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant footwear design experience required to include internships.
• Strong passion for footwear, design, innovation, and consumer‑driven product creation.
• Solid conceptual skills and understanding of form/function.
• Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs).
• Strong sketching, visualization, illustration, and rendering skills.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted design tools such as Vizcom for concept generation, design exploration, and visual communication is a plus.
• Ability to design in 2D/3D CAD applications and related software.
• 3D design, 3D model‑making, rapid prototyping, and footwear manufacturing desired.
• Ability to apply hands‑on making and prototyping skills a plus.
• Solid oral and written communication skills.
• Professional attitude and respectful approach to dealing with people.
• Experience and empathy in Outdoor Recreational pursuits.
• Curiosity and passion for creativity a must.
• Must have a portfolio of relevant work to present.

WHY JOIN US?

• Work with some of the world’s most respected footwear brands.
• Design products that reach consumers across multiple categories and environments.
• Collaborate with talented experts in design, innovation, engineering, and performance materials.
• Gain hands‑on experience in a modern, purpose‑built design studio.
• Contribute to products that combine creativity, functionality, and real‑world performance.
• Grow your career while helping define the next generation of footwear solutions.

Vibram is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.