Manager- C4 Lab

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

Job summary

Converse is seeking a Manager, C4 Lab to lead the maker lab and accelerate concept development through craftsmanship and prototyping. You will steer the lab's vision, build capabilities, and lead a team of makers across footwear, apparel, and brand experiences.

The ideal candidate blends craft, leadership, and strategic thinking, with hands-on expertise in footwear construction and rapid prototyping. This role focuses on advancing concept creation across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Footwear Design, Product Design, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of experience in footwear prototyping, fabrication, industrial design, innovation, concept development, or related fields.
• Experience leading makers, technicians, or creative fabrication teams.
• Advanced expertise in footwear construction, assembly, and prototype development.
• Strong proficiency in sewing, stitching, and footwear craft techniques.
• Experience operating and maintaining 3D printing and rapid prototyping equipment.
• Expertise creating mock-ups, concept models, and proof-of-concept prototypes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience within footwear, consumer products, innovation labs, apparel, or design consultancy environments.
• Knowledge of CAD, digital modeling, and prototyping workflows.
• Understanding of emerging fabrication technologies and maker space operations.
• Passion for creativity, culture, self-expression, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the long-term vision and capabilities of the Converse Concept Creation Center.
• Build a best-in-class maker environment that fuels experimentation and concept storytelling.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, learning, and hands-on creation.
• Lead training and workshops to teach and elevate making capabilities for creators.
• Explore emerging tools, materials, and fabrication technologies to advance concept development.
• Transform concept and design visions into physical prototypes, mock-ups, and demonstrations.
• Partner with Concept, Design, Innovation, Product Creation, and Brand teams to make future ideas tangible.
• Build proof-of-concept products and rapid prototypes that accelerate learning and decision-making.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of makers and fabrication specialists.
• Establish priorities, workflows, and project plans across multiple initiatives.
• Foster a culture that balances creativity, craftsmanship, speed, and quality.
• Manage resources, equipment utilization, and project execution.
• Oversee day-to-day lab operations, equipment maintenance, and workspace optimization.
• Ensure a safe, organized, and efficient working environment.
• Manage budgets, vendor relationships, materials inventory, and equipment investments.
• Establish standards and processes that support consistent execution and scalability.
• Lead hands-on fabrication and prototype development across footwear construction, industrial sewing, pattern making, material experimentation, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and sample finishing.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Fabrication

Hands-on making

Problem solving

Team mentorship

Strategy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design

Tools

CAD

3D printing

Prototyping equipment

Job description

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $108,500.00 in our lowest geographic market to $220,400.00 in our highest geographic market. Actual salary will vary based on a candidate's location, qualifications, skills and experience.

Information about benefits can be found here.

ABOUT OUR TEAM - GLOBAL CONCEPTS

The Converse Global Concepts team connects innovation, design, brand storytelling, and marketplace experiences. Brand Concepts serves as the anchor point for our products, stories, and experiences, inspiring Creators and embracing subcultures. Working upstream, we translate emerging cultural signals, creator insights, and consumer behaviors into future product direction, brand narratives, and consumer experiences. Our team brings together expertise across design, ideation, physical making, and concept prototyping to shape the future of Converse.

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

You will partner closely with Product, Design, Development, and Brand Creative teams to bring future concepts, prototypes, and experiences to life. This role collaborates across disciplines to transform ideas into tangible expressions of the Converse vision.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Converse is seeking a visionary and hands-on Manager, C4 Lab (Converse Concept Creation Center) to lead our maker lab and accelerate concept development through craftsmanship, prototyping, and experimentation.

The C4 Lab is where ideas become tangible. This role will define and advance the lab’s vision while leading a team of makers supporting concept development across footwear, apparel, and brand experiences.

The ideal candidate is a craftsperson, innovator, and leader with expertise in footwear construction, stitching, material exploration, 3D printing, and fabrication. They are equally comfortable working hands-on, leading teams, and building new capabilities that elevate concept creation across the organization.

YOU ARE:

• Passionate about turning ideas into physical reality.
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and proactive.
• Equally comfortable leading strategy discussions and working hands-on.
• Skilled at navigating ambiguity and solving complex problems.
• Collaborative and energized by experimentation and innovation.
• Excited by the challenge of building what does not yet exist.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

Lead the Vision of the C4 Lab

• Define and drive the long-term vision and capabilities of the Converse Concept Creation Center.
• Build a best-in-class maker environment that fuels experimentation and concept storytelling.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, learning, and hands-on creation.
• Lead training and workshops to teach and elevate making capabilities for creators.
• Explore emerging tools, materials, and fabrication technologies to advance concept development

Bring Concepts to Life

• Transform concept and design visions into physical prototypes, mock-ups, and demonstrations.
• Partner with Concept, Design, Innovation, Product Creation, and Brand teams to make future ideas tangible.
• Build proof-of-concept products and rapid prototypes that accelerate learning and decision-making.

Lead and Develop the "C4 Maker" Team

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of makers and fabrication specialists.
• Establish priorities, workflows, and project plans across multiple initiatives.
• Foster a culture that balances creativity, craftsmanship, speed, and quality.
• Manage resources, equipment utilization, and project execution.

Manage Lab Operations

• Oversee day-to-day lab operations, equipment maintenance, and workspace optimization.
• Ensure a safe, organized, and efficient working environment.
• Manage budgets, vendor relationships, materials inventory, and equipment investments.
• Establish standards and processes that support consistent execution and scalability.

Advance Craft & Innovation

• Lead hands-on fabrication and prototype development across:
  • Footwear construction and assembly
  • Industrial sewing and stitching
  • Pattern making and modification
  • Material experimentation (dying, embroidery, screen print, etc)
  • Rapid prototyping
  • 3D printing and additive manufacturing
  • Sample finishing and presentation
• Explore new methods of making that accelerate learning and inspire breakthrough thinking.

WHAT YOU BRING :

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Footwear Design, Product Design, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• 8+ years of experience in footwear prototyping, fabrication, industrial design, innovation, concept development, or related fields.
• Experience leading makers, technicians, or creative fabrication teams.
• Advanced expertise in footwear construction, assembly, and prototype development.
• Strong proficiency in sewing, stitching, and footwear craft techniques.
• Experience operating and maintaining 3D printing and rapid prototyping equipment.
• Expertise creating mock-ups, concept models, and proof-of-concept prototypes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience within footwear, consumer products, innovation labs, apparel, or design consultancy environments.
• Knowledge of CAD, digital modeling, and prototyping workflows.
• Understanding of emerging fabrication technologies and maker space operations.
• Passion for creativity, culture, self-expression, and innovation.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

A successful Manager, C4 Lab will establish the Concept Creation Center as a destination for experimentation, rapid prototyping, and innovation at Converse. They will help teams think bigger by making ideas tangible, accelerating concept development, and shaping the future of Converse products, experiences, and storytelling.

This role is for a builder, craftsperson, and visionary leader who believes the best ideas deserve to be made.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.