Lead Product Developer - HOKA Innovation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Wellbeing & financial planning

Time off

Perks & discounts

Growth & development

Health & wellness

Job summary

Deckers Brands in Portland, OR is seeking a Lead Product Developer – HOKA Innovation to translate athlete needs into breakthrough footwear concepts, from ideation to prototypes. You’ll lead cross-functional teams, manage rapid prototyping, and connect problems to novel constructions and materials, shaping product differentiation and new business models.

Hybrid schedule typically 3 days in office Tue–Thu. Ideal candidates hold a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) with 6+ years in footwear,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s, MBA, or PhD preferred.
• Experience leading projects with global development teams, including Asia factories and suppliers.
• Examples of innovative product creation, beyond briefed or seasonal product.

Responsibilities

• Develop next-generation footwear concepts, from ideation to performance-validated prototypes.
• Support HOKA Innovation team members through rapid prototyping with a hands-on approach.
• Create systematic samples and experiments to iterate toward target performance metrics.
• Connect athlete problems to novel constructions, manufacturing techniques, and advanced materials.
• Guide cross-functional creation teams to shape radical concepts from raw insights, ensuring clear hypotheses and goals.
• Create and communicate short- and long-term project plans, ensuring projects meet business needs and athlete performance targets.
• Drive critical path activities and solve problems to reach the next milestone of innovation readiness.
• Establish trusted relationships with product teams and sourcing partners to understand business landscape and opportunities for innovation.
• Partner with inline Product Development teams to transition concepts for commercialization.
• Facilitate strong connections with sports marketing counterparts and athletes to build insights.
• Scout, vet, and onboard new vendors and technology partners to stay ahead of industry trends.

Skills

Footwear development

Project leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Rapid prototyping

Vendor management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Job description

At Deckers Brands, Together, Every Step is a promise kept that every employee can bring their authentic self, is valued and supported, as a whole person, at work and beyond. Together, Every Step is how we continue to deliver exceptional business results, experience an amazing place to work, and have a positive impact on the communities and world around us.

Job Title: Lead Product Developer - HOKA Innovation

Reports to: Principal Product Developer - HOKA Innovation

Location: Portland, OR (Hybrid) Typically 3 times per week in office, Tuesday – Thursday

The Role

As Lead Product Developer – HOKA Innovation, you’ll help shape the next generation of footwear by translating athlete needs into advanced product opportunities. You’ll lead the development of breakthrough concepts from ideation to performance-validated prototypes, collaborating with a team of innovators to transform athlete experiences through radical product solutions.

We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Your Impact

• Develop next-generation footwear concepts, from ideation to performance-validated prototypes
• Support HOKA Innovation team members through rapid prototyping with a hands‑on approach
• Create systematic samples and experiments to iterate toward target performance metrics
• Connect athlete problems to novel constructions, manufacturing techniques, and advanced materials
• Bring an entrepreneurial mindset, continuously seeking new ways to create product differentiation and define new business models
• Guide cross‑functional creation teams to shape radical concepts from raw insights, ensuring clear hypotheses and goals
• Create and communicate short‑and long‑term project plans, ensuring projects meet business needs and athlete performance targets
• Drive critical path activities and solve problems to reach the next milestone of innovation readiness
• Establish trusted relationships and communication channels with product teams and sourcing partners to understand business landscape, product gaps, and opportunities for innovation
• Partner with inline Product Development teams to successfully transition concepts for commercialization
• Facilitate strong connections with sports marketing counterparts and athletes to build insights
• Scout, vet, and onboard new vendors and technology partners—local and global—to stay ahead of industry trends

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s, MBA, or PhD preferred
• Any function‑related certifications preferred
• 6+ years progressive experience in the footwear industry for a global company
• Experience leading projects with global development teams, including Asia factories and suppliers
• Examples of innovative product creation, beyond briefed or seasonal product
• Creatively agile and adept in innovative thinking, vision, and problem solving
• Curiosity to uncover new possibilities and solution spaces
• Ability to realize ideas through tangible demonstrators and prototypes
• Knowledge of fundamental athletic footwear constructions, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Proficiency in footwear development leading cross‑functional creation teams, including Asia sourcing teams and vendors
• Systematic approaches to prototyping creation and testing, optimizing product features by designing sample matrixes and testing plans
• Empathetic and inclusive approach to teamwork, mentorship, and partnerships
• Ability to work well and adapt with a diverse range of personality types and working styles across cultures and geographies
• Willingness to embrace new creation approaches and philosophies
• Proven ability to concisely articulate success criteria for a project
• Ability to create and track clear project plans with near‑term objectives week‑to‑week
• Support, encourage, and motivate global development and cross‑functional project teams

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.