Lead Material Designer - Energy & Trend Innovation

Converse; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Converse seeks a Lead Material Designer in Boston to drive material concepts, trend insights, and product narratives across footwear collections. You will own concept development from ideation to commercialization, elevating texture, finish, and innovation while collaborating with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners.

You will champion sustainability and craftsmanship, delivering premium expressions on silhouettes with a strong emphasis on consumer insights and global fashion

Qualifications

• Portfolio required to be considered for the role.
• 4+ years of experience in material, textile, or footwear design.
• Strong understanding of fashion trends and consumer insights.

Responsibilities

• Create original, industry-leading material concepts for lifestyle footwear collections.
• Develop material trend insights into seasonal narratives and product goals.
• Translate consumer and cultural insights into innovative material solutions.
• Explore new material constructions, finishes, textures, and manufacturing techniques.
• Build and refine material palettes across franchises and product tiers.
• Collaborate with design, color, graphics, and development teams for cohesive storytelling.
• Partner with manufacturing to ensure quality, feasibility, and execution.
• Create and refine prototypes, mock-ups, and material samples.
• Drive innovation while balancing performance, cost, manufacturability and sustainability.
• Lead presentations and align cross-functional teams around material strategy.

Skills

Material design

Footwear design

Creative leadership

Trend research

Job description

Converse seeks a Lead Material Designer in Boston to drive material concepts, trend insights, and product narratives across footwear collections. You will own concept development from ideation to commercialization, elevating texture, finish, and innovation while collaborating with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners.

You will champion sustainability and craftsmanship, delivering premium expressions on silhouettes with a strong emphasis on consumer insights and global fashion