Lead Materials Designer: Energy Innovation

FashionUnited; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Converse is seeking a Lead Materials Designer, Energy to shape material design direction for a premium footwear portfolio. You will research trend insights, curate innovative material concepts, and drive storytelling from ideation through commercialization, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver premium expressions.

The role requires deep expertise in material design, textile/footwear disciplines and a passion for sustainability, with a portfolio mandatory for consideration and

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating excellence in material design, textile design, footwear design or related product design.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in material design, textile design, footwear design or related field.
• Strong understanding of fashion trends, footwear culture and consumer insights.
• Ability to translate insights into material concepts and product narratives.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams across design, development and manufacturing.
• Sustainability focus in material innovation.

Responsibilities

• Create original, industry-leading material concepts for lifestyle footwear collections.
• Develop material trend insights into seasonal narratives and performance goals.
• Translate consumer, athlete and cultural insights into innovative material solutions.
• Explore and implement new material constructions, finishes, textures, and manufacturing techniques.
• Build and refine material palettes that elevate product expression across franchises.
• Partner with design, colour, graphics and development teams for cohesive storytelling.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners to ensure quality and feasibility.
• Create, evaluate and refine physical prototypes, mock-ups and samples.
• Drive innovation while balancing performance, cost, manufacturability and sustainability.
• Contribute to both immediate seasonal creation and long-term material innovations.
• Lead presentations and communicate design intent to stakeholders.
• Influence and align cross-functional teams around material strategy.

Skills

Material design

Textile design

Footwear design

Product storytelling

Job description

Converse is seeking a Lead Materials Designer, Energy to shape material design direction for a premium footwear portfolio. You will research trend insights, curate innovative material concepts, and drive storytelling from ideation through commercialization, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver premium expressions.

The role requires deep expertise in material design, textile/footwear disciplines and a passion for sustainability, with a portfolio mandatory for consideration and