Technical Developer- Footwear

Roundel; Minneapolis, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Target is seeking a Technical Developer in Footwear to lead development for owned brands from concept through production. You’ll work with design, merchandising, sourcing and overseas teams to ensure specs, fit and quality meet brand standards.

Role requires 5–8 years in footwear product development, strong knowledge of fit, materials, and manufacturing, and proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator, PLM, and 3D CAD. Hybrid office-based role at our Downtown MN campus.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years’ experience in footwear product development with full knowledge of total production timeline.
• Strong knowledge of footwear fit, construction, molds/blueprints, and lasts.
• Current in industry standard technical knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing processes, in both man-made and genuine leather materials.
• Proficient in use of relevant computer applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office Suite, PLM system, 3D CAD experience is a plus).
• Attention to detail, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Drive to learn and retain new technology and software as it pertains to role.
• Strong multi-tasking ability while being detail oriented with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to proactively troubleshoot and problem solve in a fast-paced, often changing, highly collaborative environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to effectively influence.
• Committed to continuous learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CFT to research and develop guest-focused Owned Brand product from concept through production
• Partner with Sr. Technical Designer, Designer, Merchandising, Sourcing and Vendors to deliver on product objectives and business strategy while adhering to calendar timelines
• In partnership with overseas technical design teams and vendors, create, maintain and complete accurate specifications and approvals in PLM system
• Communicate daily with internal and external partners to ensure high-quality execution in materials, components, and fit
• Perform fit evaluation on samples for fit, construction, and quality
• Conduct in-cycle technical research, wear testing, quality analysis, innovation and product solutions
• Partner proactively with overseas technical designers, production engineers and vendors to alleviate potential manufacturing, quality, and fit concerns within the product development cycle
• Conduct market research of competitors, benchmarks, and new opportunities to engineer value and drive development of cost viable quality products.
• Partner with guest insights and product testing teams to drive guest research and wear testing to build products that foster inclusivity
• Support close to vendor and production teams by reviewing production issues and collaborating with CFT to resolve
• Establish and enhance product development guidelines and standards by category and brand
• Conduct vendor training, onboarding, assessments and accreditation
• May include Travel internationally and domestically to support business insight on quality execution, guest feedback and partner connections with Quality Assurance team
• Assist in building and maintaining test library

Skills

Footwear product development

Detail-oriented

Strong communication

PLM familiarity

3D CAD experience

Photoshop

Illustrator

MS Office

PLM system

Education

Bachelor’s degree / AA / certification in technical design or related field

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

MS Office

PLM system

3D CAD

Job description

The pay range is $73,000.00 - $132,000.00 Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves.Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation.Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Technical Developer, Footwear

About us: Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading retailers. At the heart of one of the world’s best loved and most recognizable brands is an impeccableOwned Brand Sourcing & Developmentorganization.We thrive on the magic of discovering that just-right thing, and we infuse everything we do with our passion for affordable chic. We develop,makeand deliver the stylish new favorites that Target guests expect and deserve. We stay ahead of the curve, proactivelyidentifyingour market’s needs and exceeding them, every time. Join one of our dynamic and inventive teams to influence the quality and value that decisively position Target above the competition. Your input will have a direct and positive effect. Here,you’llbe close to the action of dreaming up and bringing to life the Target-owned brands that surprise and gratify guests, wherever and whenever they love to shop.

A role with the Footwear Development team means a big opportunity tostart from scratchand create something truly original. Are you a footwear product development expert who can support your business by staying one step ahead ofthe industry? Can youdemonstratethe utmost attention to detail and develop products that are unprecedented in the marketplace for their value? Thenyou’llhave successonourFootwear Developmentteam who owns the development of all Target-owned brands. In close partnership with our design,merchantand sourcing counterparts,you’lldrive brand cohesion and continuity, ensuring that our products meet the merchant line plans, assortment strategies, pricepointsand guest expectations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate withCFTto research and develop guest-focused Owned Brand product from concept throughproduction
• Partner with Sr. Technical Designer, Designer, Merchandising, Sourcing and Vendors to deliver on product objectives and business strategy while adhering to calendar timelines
• In partnership with overseas technical design teams and vendors,create,maintainandcompleteaccuratespecifications and approvals in PLMsystem
• Communicate daily with internal and external partners to ensure high-quality execution in materials, components, and fit
• Perform fit evaluation on samples for fit, construction, and quality
• Conduct in-cycle technical research, wear testing, quality analysis,innovationand productsolutions
• Partner proactively with overseas technical designers, productionengineersand vendors to alleviate potential manufacturing, quality, and fit concerns within the productdevelopment cycle
• Conductmarket research of competitors, benchmarks, and new opportunities to engineer value and drive development of costviablequality products.
• Partner with guest insights and product testing teams to drive guest research and wear testing to build products that fosterinclusivity
• Supportclose to vendor and production teamsbyreviewingproduction issues andcollaboratingwith CFT toresolve
• Establish and enhance product development guidelines andstandardsby category and brand
• Conduct vendor training, onboarding,assessmentsandaccreditation
• May include Travel internationally and domestically to support business Hind-sighting on quality execution, guest feedback and partner connections with Quality Assurance team Assist in building and maintaining last library
• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager

About you

• Bachelor’s degree, AA, or certification in technical design, product design, industrial design, or related field; equivalent hands-on experience in the footwear industry will also be considered.
• 5-8 years’ experience in footwear product development with Full knowledge of total production timeline
• Strong knowledge of footwear fit, construction, molds/blueprints, and lasts
• Current in industry standard technical knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing processes, in both man-made and genuine leather materials
• Proficient in use of relevant computer applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office Suite, PLM system, 3D CAD experience is a plus)
• Attention to detail, problem solving and decision-making skills
• Drive to learn andretainnew technologyand software as it pertains torole
• Strong multi-tasking ability while being detail oriented with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to proactivelytroubleshootandproblem solvein a fast-paced, often changing, highly collaborative environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, withabilityto effectively influence.
• Committed to continuous learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion

This role is performed 4 days/week in office from our Downtown MN campus. This role is not eligible for remote work.

Team Members in the Target General Merch Inc operating company are prohibited from working more than thirty (30) days per calendar year in any of the following states: AL, AR, DE, FL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN and VA. If hired, you will be prohibited from working remotely from any of the states listed above for more than thirty (30) days per calendar year.

Benefits Eligibility Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail]. Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.

Application deadline is : 09/06/2026

Target is one of the world’s most recognized brands and one of America’s leading retailers. We make Target our guests’ preferred shopping destination by offering outstanding value, inspiration, innovation and an exceptional guest experience that no other retailer can deliver. Target is committed to responsible corporate citizenship, ethical business practices, environmental stewardship and generous community support. Since 1946, we have given 5 percent of our profits back to our communities. Our goal is to work as one team to fulfill our unique brand promise to our guests, wherever and whenever they choose to shop.

Our Benefits We care about and invest in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.