Materials Design Lead - Footwear

ROLE OVERVIEW

This is a parental leave backfill opportunity on the Core Studio Footwear Materials Design Expression team. The Expert Material Designer will own Core Running footwear material design end-to-end, driving seasonal material direction across the full running shoe line. This role sits at the entry point of creative design leadership, requiring both expert material craft and the vision to deliver cohesive materials stories aligned to broader creative direction and project briefs.

PURPOSE

*Expert Material Designer - Creative Agility

*Entry into creative design leadership

*Deliver materials vision and execute seasonal projects, aligned to creative direction and project briefs

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

*Own Core Running footwear material design, covering the entire shoe line and seasonal material updates

*Create and set design direction and material toolbox for silo or product collection within a dimension

*Drive narrative storytelling and materials expression that connects trend research to final product execution

*Present design concepts to internal and external audiences; communicate changes clearly to ensure timely project completion

*Collaborate cross-functionally with key partners including Athletes, Design Triad, Manufacturing, Material Development, Operations, Product Merch, Sustainability, and Tech Development

*May manage team members including goal-setting, development, performance management, and recognition

*May provide mentorship across the design organization

*Bring new sustainable materials methods and innovation into product and production

MUST-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS

*5+ years of experience in Materials Design within core footwear, with a strong focus on running performance

*Demonstrated expertise covering the full running shoe line, including material updates across all components

*Deep, solid footwear material knowledge - specifically engineered meshes and technical textile constructions

*High taste level with a refined design sensibility and strong aesthetic point of view

*Portfolio required: must demonstrate full design process from research, trend analysis, and consumer insight through to product execution in running performance footwear

NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS

*Understanding of running consumer performance needs and behaviors

*Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop)

*Strong narrative storytelling and materials expression skills

*Experience in advanced digital tools and/or 3D design skills

*Background in sustainable materials and manufacturing methods

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

*Digital design acumen - Creative Suite required; advanced digital tools/3D skills preferred

*Master of make and manufacturing processes

*Master presentation and communication skills - brief to presentation to manufacturing

*Master design skills: full process ownership from brief to execution

*Master of creative process, business context, and consumer insight

*Ability to design advanced material concepts including technical constructions (e.g., engineered mesh, Flyknit)

EDUCATION

*BA, BFA, MA, or MFA preferred

*Associate Degree considered

#LI-MM3

**About Aquent Talent:** Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands. Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.