Lead Innovation Researcher - HOKA Innovation

Deckers Brands; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 109,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay and Bonuses

Time away from work

Growth and Development

Health and Wellness

Discounts and perks

Job summary

Deckers Brands in Portland, OR is seeking a Lead Innovation Researcher – HOKA Innovation to drive science-driven research and insights for future footwear concepts. You will identify athlete and consumer needs, design studies, and translate findings into actionable guidance for concept development.

You’ll collaborate with Innovation, Design, Development, product creation and external researchers, embedding scientific insights across the concept-to-commercialization process while shaping

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, or similar field of study.
• 6-8 years of experience in footwear, sports equipment, or human performance research.
• Experience leading research programs within the footwear industry or a closely related field.
• Expertise in research design and applied sport science, including experimental design, statistical methods, and current sport science literature
• Strong understanding of athlete behavior, human movement, and performance mechanisms in footwear and apparel
• Advanced proficiency with lab and field technologies, including 3D motion capture, force plates, pressure insoles, metabolic carts, and IMUs
• Highly proficient in data processing, analysis, and visualization using Python, MATLAB, and Visual3D
• Demonstrated ability to guide concepts from early exploration through prototyping and validation, translating research into product-relevant insights
• Ability to communicate research findings, innovation opportunities, and concept recommendations through clear, compelling storytelling
• Highly motivated team player and self‑starter with a curious, growth mindset and focus on continuous learning

Responsibilities

• Drive science-driven research and insight generation to inform future footwear innovation.
• Identify athlete and consumer needs and define critical knowledge gaps.
• Design research methodologies and conduct applied studies.
• Translate findings into actionable guidance for concept development.
• Partner with Innovation, Design, Development, Product Creation, and external researchers.
• Embed scientific insights in innovation concepts with product teams.
• Manage external research collaborations to support innovation strategy.
• Translate research findings into product direction from exploration through commercialization.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Visual3D

3D motion capture

Movement science

Data visualization

Storytelling

Team player

Growth mindset

Education

Master’s or PhD degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, or similar field of study

Tools

3D motion capture systems

Force plates

Pressure insoles

Metabolic carts

IMUs

Job description

Job Title

Lead Innovation Researcher – HOKA Innovation

Reports to

Principal Innovation Researcher – HOKA Innovation

Location

Portland, OR (Hybrid); typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday - Thursday

Role

As Lead Innovation Researcher – HOKA Innovation, you’ll drive science-driven research and insight generation to inform and advance future footwear innovation. You’ll identify athlete and consumer needs, define critical knowledge gaps, design research methodologies, conduct applied studies, and translate findings into actionable guidance for concept development. You’ll serve as a key scientific partner across Innovation, Design, Development, Product Creation, and with external research collaborators, connecting research to product and shaping concepts from early exploration through validation.

Your Impact

• Partner with Innovation leadership to shape and advance HOKA’s innovation strategy at the intersection of science, athlete insight, and product performance
• Provide scientific expertise and guidance to inform innovation design, concept development, and product decision‑making
• Identify knowledge gaps that guide research priorities and innovation opportunities
• Apply an entrepreneurial mindset to identify opportunities where scientific insights can unlock product differentiation
• Design research protocols, develop tools, and execute scientific studies to generate actionable insights
• Apply performance testing methods to evaluate how footwear concepts influence movement, efficiency, and performance
• Serve as the primary liaison managing external research collaborations in support of HOKA’s innovation strategy
• Translate research findings into actionable product direction supporting concept creation and development
• Partner with product design, development, engineering, testing, and creation teams to embed scientific insights in innovation concepts
• Contribute to the creation, evaluation, and refinement of disruptive concepts and products from early exploration through commercialization
• Build and cultivate a network of leading research partners across academia, sport federations, and industry
• Identify and evaluate emerging opportunities in human performance, footwear science, sport technology, and innovation partnerships

Who You Are

• Master’s or PhD degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, or similar field of study
• 6-8 years of experience in footwear, sports equipment, or human performance research
• Experience leading research programs within the footwear industry or a closely related field
• Expertise in research design and applied sport science, including experimental design, statistical methods, and current sport science literature
• Strong understanding of athlete behavior, human movement, and performance mechanisms in footwear and apparel
• Advanced proficiency with lab and field technologies, including 3D motion capture, force plates, pressure insoles, metabolic carts, and IMUs
• Highly proficient in data processing, analysis, and visualization using Python, MATLAB, and Visual3D
• Demonstrated ability to guide concepts from early exploration through prototyping and validation, translating research into product-relevant insights
• Ability to communicate research findings, innovation opportunities, and concept recommendations through clear, compelling storytelling
• Highly motivated team player and self‑starter with a curious, growth mindset and focus on continuous learning

What We’ll Give You

• Competitive Pay and Bonuses - We've created a variety of competitive compensation programs to foster career development, reward success and to show our employees just how much they're valued.
• Financial Planning and wellbeing - No matter what financial goals our employees have set, we want to help them get there. Our plans provide powerful ways to protect income, pay for expenses and invest in the future.
• Time away from work - Sometimes we need time away to be with family, focus on our health or just simply recharge. Our plans support our employees’ needs to get out, get healthy and come back stronger than ever.
• Extras, discounts and perks - Being a valued member of the Deckers Brands team means more than just a paycheck. From generous discounts to community-based programs, we offer a variety of cool extras.
• Growth and Development - Deckers Brands was built on the idea of pursuing passion. That's why we offer extensive opportunities and support for personal and professional development.
• Health and Wellness - There's nothing basic about our comprehensive health and wellness programs and offerings. While at work and at play, we aim to support a healthy lifestyle.

$108,700.00 - $146,700.00 The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in: Portland, Oregon Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.

More than Just a Footwear Company

From our corporate offices to our global retail stores, there's a curious, independent spirit that’s distinctively Deckers Brands. We're about giving people the freedom to pursue their passions. And we're committed to helping them succeed; to become their best selves. That's why we're about more than work, the 9 to 5 or daily grind. We're about opportunity - opportunity to create, to grow and to have an impact. As we work to become better at everything we do, how we better the world matters, too. Our products and brands are loved, no doubt about it. But the difference we make in people's lives begins with our people, right here at Deckers Brands. We're adventurous, spirited, unafraid of new challenges and willing to take chances. We are always ready to rally around a cause. Put simply, we want all of our people to thrive - to reach their full potential and have fun while doing it. Because in the end, Deckers thrives when our people thrive.