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Brooks Running · 5 days ago

Principal Designer, Inline Footwear Design

Seattle, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Lead/Staff

$145K/yr - $232K/yr

10+ years exp

Brooks Running is dedicated to creating gear and experiences that enhance movement and inspire people. The Principal Footwear Designer will lead complex projects in performance running footwear design, develop long-term strategies, and mentor design teams to elevate the brand's creative vision and alignment with athlete needs.

ApparelFashionManufacturingShoesSporting Goods

Culture & Values

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end design of performance running footwear across Spring, Fall, and Innovation initiatives, from concept through prototype, including upper, tooling, and construction

Define and own the aesthetic expression and functional design language of cross-season and innovation projects, ensuring alignment with brand identity, athlete needs, and future consumer expectations

Drive design excellence through iterative exploration, applying identity principles that maximize perceived value and elevate competitiveness

Set the vision for advanced 2D and 3D design tools, pioneering new digital methods that unlock future possibilities in form, function, and manufacturing

Stay ahead of market trends, materials innovation, and digital prototyping techniques; integrate insights from global design networks to inform and shape breakthrough concepts

Deliver compelling design presentations, both physical and digital, clearly communicating intent, process, and storytelling to internal stakeholders

Mentor and provide support to junior and senior designers, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and high craft

Influence cross-functional decision-making by offering multiple design solutions and responding thoughtfully to critique throughout project milestones

Continuously sharpen craft and curiosity, pushing the limits of performance design and digital innovation

Collaborate cross-functionally with Run Research Team (RRT), PLM, Materials, Engineering, and Development to turn athlete insights and biomechanical research into high-performance, buildable solutions

Partner directly with elite athletes and wear testers to validate performance intent and refine concepts through iterative feedback

Lead design direction across Spring, Fall, and Innovation creation teams, aligning creative vision with technical feasibility and storytelling

Engage and integrate biomechanical insights from the Run Research Team into functionally and aesthetically compelling designs

Actively influence collaboration and foster alignment between Inline, Innovation, 3D CAD, and Color/Material/Trend teams to elevate design across disciplines

Champion 3D CAD integration, partnering with digital teams to enhance design clarity, speed, and dimensional expression

Lead by example as a design thought partner, facilitating collaboration, mentoring peers, and modeling breakthrough thinking

Collaborate and co-create compelling material stories and visual direction with CMF partners to support future-facing design narratives

Partner with PLM and Development to explore advanced footwear-making methods and production-ready solutions

Guide early-stage prototyping and design research to drive concept evolution

Deliver detailed, executable tech packages in partnership with development to ensure manufacturability and performance

Participate in Run-Sight Lab sessions and other cross-season validation efforts to ground design in the runner’s voice and experience

Stay ahead of industry trends, consumer shifts, and cultural signals to inform future design strategy

Maintain calendars, timelines, and deadlines to ensure the timely completion of cross-season and innovation initiatives, from initial concept through prototype delivery

Act as a subject-matter expert in design, sharing advanced expertise to guide product teams and elevate execution

Demonstrate fluency in prototyping methods, including both hand-built and digital 3D models, to explore and validate design ideas

Approach feedback with a curious mindset; respond to critique by offering thoughtful alternatives backed by deeper exploration

Anticipate challenges and risks by preparing insights, rationale, and design strategy ahead of key milestones

Leverage your experience and creative intuition to deliver bold, unexpected design solutions that meet real runner needs

Stay attuned to design culture, trend shifts, and market movements to inform future-forward thinking and concept relevance

Maintain a deep understanding of manufacturing processes through ongoing engagement with factory partners and material vendors

Travel as needed to Asia, Europe, races, retail visits, trade shows, and summits to support collaboration, research, and execution

Qualification

Footwear Design2D3D CADBiomechanicsColor/Material ProgramsDesign StrategyPrototyping MethodsConceptual ThinkingInnovationPassion for RunningAdobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopMacOS ProficiencyCollaboration SkillsAttention to DetailCommunication Skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in industrial design, Footwear Design, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree

10+ years of experience creating footwear and/or color, material, and textile programs across multiple product categories and seasons

Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD tools, including complex surfacing and geometry using programs such as Rhino, Blender, Adobe Substance (2D/3D Suite), SolidWorks, Grasshopper, etc

Thorough knowledge of art and design, with a clear understanding of visual aesthetics across design disciplines

Proven experience in developing and leading the execution of design vision and strategy across multiple teams or seasons

Deep understanding of footwear construction, materials, and componentry

Strong understanding of biomechanics and the science of running performance

Proactive communicators take the initiative to engage cross-functional partners and advance design concepts

Strong conceptual thinking and ability to develop and articulate original design ideas

Ability to apply conceptual design thinking across multiple product categories and initiatives

Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, constantly evolving work environment

Skilled at building and fostering relationships within a collaborative team environment, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholders and information streams

Demonstrates drive and ambition to push personal, team, and brand boundaries

Strong influencing and collaboration skills with key business and creative partners

Excellent attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution, while maintaining awareness of the broader strategic picture

Displays innovation and initiative, constantly seeking to improve products and processes while remaining hands-on and detail-oriented

Mastery of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

Proficiency in macOS (Apple operating system)

3D design experience

Embraces and lives the Brooks core values

Willingness and ability to travel up to 15% (domestically and internationally)

Preferred

Passion for running and/or sports is a plus, but a deep understanding of and empathy for runners is essential to creating meaningful and engaging product experiences

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

HSA and employer contribution

FSA

Family & fertility assistance

401K Savings Plan and match

Employee assistance program

Transportation assistance

Generous time off, including three to five weeks of paid time off

Eleven paid holidays

Paid sick and parental leave

Annual bonus based on company performance

Product discounts

Employee recognition

Fitness discounts

Volunteer and donation benefits

Company

Brooks Running

Glassdoor4.3

Brooks Running designs and manufactures high-performance running shoes, apparel, and accessories for both male and female runners. It is a sub-organization of Berkshire Hathaway.

Founded in 1914

Seattle, Washington, USA

1001-5000 employees