Product Developer

Vibram; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vibram seeks a hands-on Product Developer to lead end-to-end inline footwear development from brief to production readiness. You will work closely with Design, Sales, Brand Partners, and Asia-based manufacturing teams to balance performance, quality, cost, and timelines while traveling to overseas factories as needed.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of footwear product development experience, strong mold/tooling expertise, CAD familiarity, and the ability to navigate a global organization with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; technical education, engineering, or applied sciences preferred.
• 3–5 years of footwear product development experience, ideally with hands-on experience in molding, tooling, and manufacturing.
• Strong technical expertise in mold development and manufacturing processes, with the ability to troubleshoot and drive solutions throughout the product development cycle.
• Ability to read and interpret complex blueprints, 2D/3D files, technical manuals, and material specifications; CAD experience is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of footwear materials, construction, lasts, molds, compounds, and foot anatomy, with an understanding of how these elements work together to create high-performing products.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate potential issues and proactively develop solutions.
• Ability to navigate a complex, global organization, effectively balancing competing priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder needs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical information and confidently engage with colleagues, leadership, and global partners.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and driven to excel, with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and PLM/product development systems.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end inline footwear product development from brief to production readiness.
• Collaborate with Design, Sales, Brand Partners, and Asia-based manufacturing teams to balance performance, quality, cost, and timelines.
• Turn concepts into production-ready products by ensuring blueprints, 3D files, cost sheets, and technical packages are accurate and delivered on time.
• Analyze drawings, patterns, components, lasts, lab results, fit, wear, construction, and cost considerations to troubleshoot proactively.
• Serve as technical connector across teams, driving cross-functional collaboration through Vibram's Product Creation Triad.
• Identify issues early, present solutions, and keep development timelines on track for exclusive and open soling and other products.
• Strengthen tech packages before development begins and ensure adherence to Vibram Best Practices.
• Travel to overseas factories as needed to build global relationships and gain manufacturing experience.

Skills

Footwear product development

Molding & tooling

Manufacturing processes

CAD experience

Reading blueprints

Global collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

PLM systems

Job description

Description

At Vibram, we push boundaries, challenge convention, and turn bold ideas into innovative products. We value curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and a drive to make things better.

We’re seeking a hands-on, technically proficient Product Developer to join our Inline Product Development team. This role will manage the end-to-end development of inline footwear, from design handoff through prototyping, validation, and production readiness.

Working closely with Design, Sales, Brand Partners, and Asia-based manufacturing teams, you’ll bring innovative, commercially viable products to market while balancing performance, quality, cost, and timelines.

The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver and strong project manager who can manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain exceptional attention to detail.

Join us to help shape the future of footwear with global brand partners.

Requirements

• Own the end-to-end development of inline footwear products - from initial brief and design handoff through prototyping, testing, final samples, and production readiness.
• Bring technical expertise to the table, leveraging a strong understanding of tooling, mold development, footwear components, materials, construction, and manufacturing processes.
• Turn concepts into production-ready products by ensuring blueprints, 3D files, cost sheets, technical packages, and other critical information are accurate, complete, and delivered on time.
• Anticipate and solve problems before they become problems by analyzing technical drawings, patterns, components, lasts, lab results, fit, wear, construction, and cost considerations.
• Be the technical connector across teams, partnering with Design, Sales, China Development, overseas factories, and global brand partners to keep projects moving forward.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration through Vibram's Product Creation Triad, bringing together the right teams and expertise to make smart, timely decisions.
• Challenge, troubleshoot, and innovate - identify issues early, present creative solutions, and help the team find the best path forward.
• Own development timelines and keep multiple projects on track, from exclusive and open soling to other Vibram footwear products.
• Strengthen tech packages before development begins, identifying potential construction, material, fit, wear, and cost concerns while ensuring Vibram Best Practices are followed.
• Continuously improve how we develop and make products, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, improve quality, and elevate execution.
• Build global relationships and experience firsthand manufacturing environments, including travel to overseas factories as needed.
• China-based factory experience is preferred.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; technical education, engineering, or applied sciences preferred.
• 3–5 years of footwear product development experience, ideally with hands-on experience in molding, tooling, and manufacturing.
• Strong technical expertise in mold development and manufacturing processes, with the ability to troubleshoot and drive solutions throughout the product development cycle.
• Ability to read and interpret complex blueprints, 2D/3D files, technical manuals, and material specifications; CAD experience is a plus.
• In-depth knowledge of footwear materials, construction, lasts, molds, compounds, and foot anatomy, with an understanding of how these elements work together to create high-performing products.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate potential issues and proactively develop solutions.
• Ability to navigate a complex, global organization, effectively balancing competing priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder needs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical information and confidently engage with colleagues, leadership, and global partners.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and driven to excel, with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and PLM/product development systems.

Vibram is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.