Footwear Developer I

Under Armour; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UA Give Back volunteer days

UA merchandise discounts

Competitive 401(k) plan matching

Maternity and parental leave

Health & fitness benefits

Job summary

Under Armour is seeking a footwear product development professional to lead from brief to production confirmation for Run Essentials & Youth categories. You will collaborate across global teams to ensure best-in-class performance, fit, and cost targets while upholding UA sustainability standards.

The role requires strong project management, hands-on technical packaging, and effective communication with Asia partners to drive on-time sampling and production. Hybrid work in Baltimore is offered.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of footwear product development.
• Current computer hardware and software proficiency.
• Ability to work cross-functionally across Under Armour including Sales, Marketing, Production and Operations.
• Strong understanding of source country working methods and cultural norms.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects from design brief through development Buy Ready.
• Plan and execute development to meet seasonal calendars and on-time delivery.
• Mentor design/PLM to ensure manufacturability, cost objectives and quality standards.
• Review and adjust technical blueprints for performance, cost and manufacturing.
• Coordinate with Asia teams on development samples and confirmations.
• Define material, component, and construction options to meet pricing targets and performance goals.
• Prepare and manage technical packages (midsole/outsole blueprints, upper patterns).
• Create and maintain style BOMs and fulfill development requirements in Centric.
• Drive meetings with product teams to guide decisions toward on-time production and margins.

Skills

Footwear development

Verbal & written communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Footwear/Engineering

Job description

Values & Innovation

At Under Armour, we are committed to empowering those who strive for more, and the company's values - Act Sustainably, Celebrate the Wins, Fight on Together, Love Athletes and Stand for Equality - serve as both a roadmap for our teams and the qualities expected of every teammate.

Values & Innovation

At Under Armour, we are committed to empowering those who strive for more, and the company's values - Act Sustainably, Celebrate the Wins, Fight on Together, Love Athletes and Stand for Equality - serve as both a roadmap for our teams and the qualities expected of every teammate.
Our Values define and unite us, the beliefs that are the red thread that connects everyone at Under Armour. Our values are rallying cries, reminding us why we’re here, and fueling everything we do.
Our pursuit of better begins with innovation and with our team's mission of being the best. With us, you get the freedom to go further - no matter your role. That means developing, delivering, and selling the state-of-the-art products and digital tools that make top performers even better.
If you are a current Under Armour teammate, apply to this position on the Internal Career Site Here. This role is eligible for our Footwear Talent Sprint referral program.

Purpose of Role

Drive Footwear product development from brief to Production Confirmation (Buy ready). In this role you are responsible for supporting overall footwear cross-functional team communications “at home” and overseas while building best in class Run Essentials & Youth footwear. Focus on achieving outstanding product performance / fit & comfort and profitable category growth while implementing and evolving category best practices/standards, providing exceptional project management, focusing on UA’s sustainability strategy, and adhering to product integrity goals via consumer satisfaction and UA’s Footwear requirements.

Your Impact

• Displays a strong understanding of pattern engineering and subsequent costing/quality implications, model making, part drawings, drafting, 2D documentation, 3D mold making, materials, customs, patents, and most aspects of footwear manufacturing processes.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple projects from Design brief through Development Buy Ready stages.
• Plan and execute project development according to seasonal calendar deadlines that lead to on–time delivery of sales samples and production confirmation pairs.
• Display an in-depth knowledge of manufacturing process with ability to adjust said process to advance and achieve new manufacturing techniques which enhance overall performance of product.
• Mentor design and PLM personnel to ensure designs are manufacturable, can meet cost objectives and quality standards of the organization.
• Ability to evaluate/ critique and adjust technical blueprints (outsole/ midsole), upper patterns and material maps from a performance, manufacturing, and costing perspective.
• Lead Asia development trips as necessary; working with manufacturers and suppliers on existing and current development projects.
• Recommend and specify material, component, and construction options to achieve pricing targets, functional goals, as well as performance integrity targets in partnership with product testing team.
• Initiate and lead meetings with product teams during various phases of development to review, evaluate, update, and ultimately drive decision‑making process that leads to on–time production confirmation and margin goals.
• Provide technical packages for assigned projects for each season; midsole/outsole blueprints, upper pattern packages, material maps, etc.
• Create and maintaining style BOMs and fulfill development requirements in Centric system.
• Collaborate across cross‑functional teams using VR production creation as a part of sample round.
• Effectively communicate with our Asia Liaison Development, Design, Tech, Pricing and Production teammates to manage project sampling and confirmation in Asia.
• Closely manage product integrity, Fit & Comfort in partnership with category wear‑test analyst throughout the development process.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Footwear product development
• Current computer hardware and software proficiency
• Ability to work professionally and efficiently cross‑functionally across Under Armour, including Sales, Marketing, Production, and Operations
• Strong understanding of the working methods and cultural norms of source countries
• Excellent verbal and written skills

Education And/Or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Footwear, Biomechanical/Industrial/or Chemical Engineering or a related field preferred.

Workplace Location

• Location: This individual must reside within commuting distance from our Baltimore, MD office.
• Work Schedule: This role follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring 4 days in‑office per week.

Sponsorship Eligibility

(US ONLY) UA does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment‑based work authorization for this position at this time.

Relocation

• Relocation may be provided up to a specified amount

Base Compensation

$65,000.00-$90,000.00 USD
Most new hires fall within this range and have the opportunity to earn more over time. Initial placement within the salary range, however, is based on an individual's relevant knowledge, skills and experience for the position. UA is committed to helping our teammates succeed and advance in their careers. Base salary is only one component of our competitive Total Rewards package.

Benefits & Perks

• Paid "UA Give Back" Volunteer Days: Work alongside your team to support initiatives in your local community
• Under Armour Merchandise Discounts
• Competitive 401(k) plan matching
• Maternity and Parental Leave for eligible and FMLA-eligible teammates
• Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources- We offer teammates across the country programs to promote physical activity and overall well-being

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

At Under Armour, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, family or paternal status and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Under Armour seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people representing a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources team via [e-mail].