VF: Associate Innovation Prototype Designer - Footwear

VFCorporation; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

VF Corporation is seeking an Associate Innovation Prototype Designer - Footwear in Denver, CO. This early-career role focuses on turning ideas into physical products within a fast-paced prototyping environment, emphasizing hands-on craftsmanship and continual growth.

You’ll learn footwear manufacturing techniques, work with designers, and support sample creation and testing while maintaining an organized workshop and a growth mindset.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of experience and professional achievements.
• Foundation skills include eagerness to learn, humility, curiosity, and hands-on craftsmanship.
• Strong motivation to grow in a fast-paced footwear prototyping environment.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify, and refine footwear prototypes with designers and makers.
• Operate and develop proficiency with sewing machines and prototyping tools.
• Learn footwear manufacturing techniques, materials, and construction methods.
• Support sample creation, testing, iteration, and problem-solving during prototyping.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient workshop environment.
• Track work and materials with high organization and attention to detail.
• Embrace feedback and continuously improve technical skills and craftsmanship.

Skills

Learning mindset

Humility and coachability

Curiosity and hands-on making

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Collaborative with ownership

Ability to take feedback

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Footwear construction equipment

Prototyping tools

Job description

What will you do?

A day in the life of an Associate Innovation Prototype Designer - Footwear at VF looks a little like this.

The Associate Innovation Prototype Designer is made for an early-career Associate Maker who is passionate about creating, learning, and developing hands-on craftsmanship skills. This role is ideal for someone recently out of school who is excited by the process of turning ideas into physical products and motivated to grow within a fast-paced footwear prototyping environment.

Let's break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

• Build, modify, and refine footwear prototypes in partnership with designers, developers, and makers.
• Operate and develop proficiency with industrial sewing machines, footwear construction equipment, and other prototyping tools.
• Learn and apply footwear manufacturing techniques, materials, and construction methods.
• Support sample creation, testing, iteration, and problem-solving throughout the prototyping process.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient workshop environment.
• Track work, materials, and project progress with a high level of organization and attention to detail.
• Embrace feedback and continuously improve technical skills and craftsmanship.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 0-2 years of experience and professional achievements.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

• A strong propensity for learning and developing new skills.
• Humility, curiosity, and a willingness to receive coaching and feedback.
• A genuine passion for making, building, and working with your hands.
• Strong self-motivation and an intrinsic desire to create and improve.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks, tools, materials, and priorities effectively.
• Comfortable learning and working with industrial sewing equipment, footwear construction tools, and specialized manufacturing machinery.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in quality craftsmanship.
• Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of individual projects.
• Resilience, adaptability, and persistence when solving technical and creative challenges.

You don't need years of experience—we care more about your mindset than your resume. The ideal candidate is someone who is naturally driven to make things, enjoys learning through experimentation, and is excited about developing expertise in footwear prototyping. You are organized in your approach, take pride in maintaining an efficient workspace, ask thoughtful questions, seek opportunities to improve, and approach every challenge with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Hiring Range

$60,480.00 USD - $75,600.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential

This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation

You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.