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Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear

Arc'teryx· Creative – Footwear
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Portland, OR$94k - $123kFull-timePosted 5d ago

About the role

Senior-level role responsible for defining and driving Arc’teryx footwear materials innovation strategy, partnering across design, development, engineering, supply chain and external partners to translate material opportunities into high-performance outdoor footwear.

Responsibilities

  • Creating, driving and maintaining the footwear materials innovation roadmap, including short, mid and long-term opportunities across uppers, textiles, foams, membranes, rubbers, reinforcements, trims and component systems
  • Leveraging footwear materials expertise, supplier network and curiosity to identify, prototype and validate new solutions for mountain athletes
  • Managing a portfolio of complex footwear materials projects across seasons and communicating progress, risks and decisions to key stakeholders
  • Defining clear briefs, testing plans, budgets and deliverables for material concepts from exploration through validation and commercialization
  • Collaborating with Footwear Design, Development, Product Line Management, Raw Materials, Advanced Concepts and Supply Chain to align innovation with athlete needs and commercialization timelines
  • Building and maintaining relationships with footwear mills, foam suppliers, rubber partners, component makers, factories, startups and academic collaborators
  • Creating strategic footwear materials partnerships with external suppliers, technology partners and researchers
  • Staying current with innovations in footwear manufacturing, textiles, coatings, foams, rubbers and finishing technologies
  • Partnering with testing, lab and field validation teams to define material performance requirements and translate learnings into improvements
  • Supporting proprietary material solutions and IP considerations with Legal and cross-functional teams
  • Collaborating on research, funding opportunities and supplier development to advance materials
  • Driving initiatives that improve durability, repairability, sustainability and circular design opportunities
  • Building a multi-year materials innovation roadmap with priority technologies and athlete validation plans (future)

Qualifications

  • Degree in materials science, materials engineering, textile science, industrial design, engineering or related technical field
  • 8+ years of footwear, technical apparel, hardgoods or materials innovation experience with exposure to performance footwear materials
  • Experience managing material innovation projects and supplier relationships with cross-functional stakeholder alignment
  • Experience working with footwear material suppliers, component vendors, factories and development partners domestically and globally
  • Experience identifying, evaluating and protecting proprietary material opportunities with internal and external legal teams
  • Exceptional communication skills with ability to present to scientists and non-scientists
  • Ability to foster a culture of innovation within teams
  • Strong understanding of performance footwear materials, construction, testing, fit, durability and manufacturing constraints
  • Flexibility and adaptability in ambiguous environments; balance autonomy and collaboration
  • Passion for outdoor activity and ability to travel domestically and internationally for research and partnerships

Skills

Required:Materials science / engineeringProject managementSupplier and partner managementCommunication and presentation

Benefits

  • Health & wellbeing - Extended health, dental, vision, mental health support, fertility benefits, 24/7 EAP
  • Financial wellbeing - 401(k) match, eligibility for Annual Incentive Plan, ESPP where applicable
  • Time & Flexibility - Paid time off, No Wasted Day program
  • Family support - Parental leave with transition-back options
  • Growth & community - Professional development, Arc'teryx Academies, Employee Belonging Councils, gear discounts and Pro Deals
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About Arc'teryx

Outdoor Clothing, Technical Outerwear, & Accessories | Arc'teryx United States

Arc'teryx is a high performance outdoor equipment company known for leading innovations in climbing, skiing and alpine technologies

outdoorclothingouterwearaccessoriesskiingclimbingalpine
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