Footwear Developer I

Who We Are: At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation. Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:
Runner First We act in the best interest of the runner Word is Bond
We do what we say we’ll do Champion Heart
We give our all in everything we do
There is no “I” in Run We stay generous with our humanity Keep Moving We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic! We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

Your Job: As a Footwear Developer I, you’ll play a hands-on role in supporting the creation and execution of seasonal inline and SMU (special make-up) products. You’ll work closely with senior developers, engineers, designers, and global partners to bring footwear projects to life from concept and material updates to fit validation and sample tracking. This is a growth-focused role ideal for someone early in their development career who’s eager to learn, highly collaborative, and detail-oriented. You’ll gain exposure to all aspects of the product creation process while making a tangible impact on product quality, cost, and performance. Ready to build the future of performance footwear, one project at a time? Join us and take your first step toward becoming a technical expert, creative thinker, and trusted contributor in the world of footwear creation. Brooks offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in performance product development by working with industry experts, within a culture that values growth, curiosity, and collaboration. You'll receive competitive compensation and global exposure, allowing you to make a significant impact as a creative thinker and trusted contributor in the world of footwear creation.

Product Creation

Lead the execution of new uppers, SMUs, and color/material updates in partnership with senior team members and Asia-based developers.

Manage the full sample process for your projects; track, receive, distribute, review, and communicate across teams to ensure accuracy and alignment.

Collaborate with Product Line Management, Design, Asia Development, and Engineering to ensure your products deliver on our brand promise of Fit, Feel, and Ride.

Engineering & Commercialization

Participate in development of new tooling projects alongside more senior developers and engineers, gaining exposure to mold and outsole engineering.

Maintain technical packages, including BOMs, blueprints, and upper patterns, ensuring accuracy and clarity for factory partners.

Own testing, validation, and feedback loops for your designated projects to ensure product quality and performance integrity throughout the creation cycle.

Drive Process & Communication

Lead multiple small- to mid-size projects with accountability for timelines, costing targets, and production readiness.

Communicate product specifications and changes clearly to global teams to ensure alignment on performance and manufacturability.

Identify process improvements and implement best practices in data accuracy, sample management, and cross-functional coordination.

Additional Responsibilities:

Participate in Asia development trips (2–4 times annually) to collaborate directly with factories and suppliers on construction, quality, and sampling.

Continuously evolve your knowledge of vendor capabilities, lead times, material behavior, and manufacturing processes.

Stay informed on market trends, consumer needs, and sustainability opportunities that influence future product creation.

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Biomechanics, Design, Kinesiology, or another technical field; equivalent experience also considered.

3+ years’ experience in footwear, apparel, or consumer goods; 1+ years in athletic footwear development preferred.

Curiosity and drive to learn the craft of footwear creation from fit and function to construction and costing.

Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with teammates across disciplines and time zones.

Excellent communication skills with an ability to clarify complex details.

High level of organization, follow-through, and accountability

Comfortable using Microsoft Office, Illustrator, and PLM systems (FlexPLM experience a plus)

Detail-obsessed but able to connect the dots across the product lifecycle.

Enthusiastic about performance product, innovation, and continuous improvement

Willingness to travel internationally to factory locations as needed.

A passion for movement and empathy for the runner, no matter your pace or background

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