Footwear Engineer - Digital Creation

This hybrid role sits at the intersection of digital creation and footwear engineering, acting as a key contributor in the footwear product creation and development process for BU Originals Statement LA & Streetwear NAM. It works in strong partnership with internal and external footwear designers, developers, technicians, digital experts and material experts, as well as marketing, innovation, quality, sourcing and supply chain, with key relationships spanning product development, liaison offices and supply partners (Tier 1/2/3), the Advanced 3D team, Fit and Wear Test, Innovation, Material Development and Costing. The position has the ability to impact work from the design concept phase through to final production, helping to translate designs, drawings and renderings into real products — a process that requires extensive decision making.

• Act as a technical and digital consultant to cross-functional product creation teams by analysing designs for manufacturability, production efficiency, potential functional or quality risks and costing opportunities, and by offering alternative solutions that are commercially
• Technically and operationally feasible.
• Offer technical solutions to the product team taking into consideration the functional requirements of products, adidas quality standards, target costs and manufacturing constraints.
• Own the Pattern and/or Tooling creation process by driving the translation of design information into a confirmed set of technical data and leading the creation of upper and/or tooling prototyping.
• Provide advanced 2D and 3D expertise in cross-functional projects made up of designers, developers and product marketing.
• Ensure a smooth and timely transition and involvement from concept stage to the inline process and Statement Partner Product creation.
• Conduct tear down meetings at all key development milestones, such as with product testing and developers, to ensure each shoe is engineered and constructed to meet adidas quality standards and functional requirements, and to identify potential cost opportunities.
• Mentor new employees in technical product development by teaching them adidas-specific technical standards, processes and systems related to Tech Package creation.
• Design and create future concepts and ideas using algorithmic and parametric methods with a focus on aesthetics, connecting insights to design and collaborating with teammates to create innovative products, services, interactions and experiences.
• Enable faster decision making within Marketing, Design, Development and external partners through virtual prototyping and in-house sampling.
• Drive concept ideas and independently plan, execute and evaluate innovative concept projects in cooperation with key in-house stakeholders to create physical prototypes.
• Continuously increase knowledge of the latest technological trends in CAD systems and processes and in footwear manufacturing, and research within sportswear, fashion and other related industries to discover adaptable concepts for footwear through online research and supplier and fair visits.
• Document findings and present them to cross-functional teams including marketing, design and development for review on potential inclusion into future footwear products.
• Prepare best practice manuals for new processes and help embed these into development calendars across Statement and Streetwear LA.
• Act as a catalyst in the adoption of AI tools enabled by adidas within creation workflows.

• Four-year college or university degree, comparable technical or engineering education, or equivalent experience as a Technical Product Designer, technical draftsman, mould maker or pattern engineer.
• At least 5 years of work experience in the athletic footwear industry, specialising in product development, pattern engineering, tooling or design.
• Advanced knowledge in digital tools and methods, mould making and/or shoe making for pattern engineering.
• Progressive work experience with 2D and 3D CAD applications.
• Progressive work experience in Jevero for pattern engineering.
• Working knowledge of Grasshopper for Rhino 3D, Botcha, Raven, Blender and Vizcom as tools to support digital creation and footwear development workflows.
• Ability to provide input for the enhancement of Fit and Comfort Engineering.
• Ability to integrate and create AI agents or workflows to enhance technical impact and speed of creation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Well organised team player who is comfortable communicating in an international and diverse environment and working in a fast-changing footwear world.
• Ability to anticipate and define problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Experience working with sourcing partners (T1, T2) in the USA and Asia.
• Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop, and proficiency with Microsoft 365.
• Knowledge of the latest trends in technology and design.
• Highly collaborative approach with a continuous learning and growth mindset.

• Experience with Rhino.

• Hybrid work policy requiring attendance in the office Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Friday each week; for work requiring a high degree of collaboration or an in-person presentation, in-office attendance is required even on Friday.

• Actual salary will be based on various factors, such as the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and competencies, and proficiency for the role.

• Robust and progressive medical cover, including an HSA with employer funding or FSA options, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
• Adoption support, including surrogate and fertility support.
• Short and long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D insurance, which can be supplemented with employee-paid coverage.
• Enrolment in the 401k plan and Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.
• Education assistance and generous leave policies for full-time employees, including 14 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Eligibility to earn an annual bonus based on both company and personal performance.
• Prorated flexible time off accruing at 0.4388 hours per day, increasing with years of service.
• Twelve paid holidays throughout the calendar year and Service Time Off during milestone years.

The company believes that embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into its culture and talent processes gives its employees a sense of belonging and its brand a real competitive advantage.