Footwear Developer II: Performance Footwear Engineer

VF Corp.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 86,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Altra is seeking a Footwear Developer II to drive development from concept to production, coordinating fit, cost targets, and quality standards with cross‑functional teams.

You'll create technical packages, review tooling, and ensure samples meet design intent while maintaining project milestones and documentation across global partnerships. Domestic and international travel may be required during peak seasons to support validations and supplier alignment.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the footwear development process from brief handoff through production.
• Strong technical knowledge of footwear materials, pattern engineering, tooling processes, and mold construction.
• Experience with tooling development processes, including 2D and 3D CAD and CAM.
• Strong understanding of product categories, materials, and the overall product development cycle.
• Self-driven with the ability to independently manage products throughout the development cycle.
• Detail-oriented with strong project management, organizational, collaboration, and time-management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally on a seasonal basis and work flexible hours during peak periods as business needs and deadlines require.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, product management and development systems, and the Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Manage product development from seasonal kickoff through production, ensuring key product creation calendar milestones are met through proactive coordination and follow‑up.
• Initiate and lead meetings with cross‑functional product teams throughout the development process to review progress, evaluate solutions, and drive timely decision‑making that supports Buy Ready and margin goals.
• Collaborate with the Design team to create technical packages, including CADs, shell patterns, tooling artwork, and product details, used to build BOMs and specifications in FlexPLM.
• Publish complete tech packs to factories and VF Asia Development, and maintain accurate records, files, and samples throughout the product development process.
• Evaluate and review tooling, including reading 2D blueprints, reviewing 3D CADs, and printing 3D components for physical review prior to approving the opening of sample molds.
• Collaborate with VF Asia Development and the Materials Developer to recommend materials and provide technical expertise on constructions that achieve Design intent, maintain product integrity and quality, and meet or exceed gross margin targets.
• Drive fit execution through clear analysis, documentation, communication, and adherence to fit standards, partnering closely with the US Commercialization Manager and VF Asia Development and Commercialization teams.
• Provide the Commercialization Manager and Senior Product Developer with the product information needed to execute wear testing, from early prototypes through final confirmed samples.
• Confirm final development samples on time and ensure they meet established quality and accuracy standards.
• Manage sample retention and storage in coordination with the Commercialization Manager.
• Partner with VF Asia Development and factory Costing, Development, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to identify and leverage manufacturing efficiencies that help reduce product cost.
• Address quality issues as they arise and collaborate with the US product team, VF Asia Product Supply, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Planning, and Sales to help ensure the accuracy and integrity of product performance claims.
• Participate in VF Asia collaborative meetings with Development, Global Material Sourcing, and Global Product Costing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Footwear development

Materials knowledge

CAD/CAM

Product management

Communication

Project management

Detail orientation

Problem solving

Tools

2D CAD

3D CAD

CAM

FlexPLM

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office

Job description

Altra is seeking a Footwear Developer II to drive development from concept to production, coordinating fit, cost targets, and quality standards with cross‑functional teams.

You'll create technical packages, review tooling, and ensure samples meet design intent while maintaining project milestones and documentation across global partnerships. Domestic and international travel may be required during peak seasons to support validations and supplier alignment.