← All roles

Designer 2 - Footwear Innovation

Arc'teryx· Creative – Footwear
Apply on company site
Portland, OR$82k - $108kFull-timePosted 5d ago

About the role

Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation contributes to exploration, creation, and validation of future footwear solutions, translating athlete insight into innovative concepts, prototypes, and manufacturing-ready designs to advance Arc’teryx footwear DNA. Role is on-site in Portland.

Responsibilities

  • Supporting the exploration of future footwear innovation opportunities through athlete insight, field observation, product research, trend awareness, and competitive analysis
  • Translating research, performance problems, and user needs into early concepts, prototypes, experiments, and product hypotheses
  • Helping build and evolve a distinct Arc’teryx footwear innovation DNA across fit, ride, traction, protection, durability, materials, construction, and mountain utility
  • Creating sketches, concept boards, mockups, prototypes, test samples, material explorations, and clear visual storytelling to communicate new footwear possibilities
  • Translating concepts into detailed tech packs to clearly communicate complex constructions to manufacturing partners
  • Building, testing, and iterating footwear prototypes to validate comfort, fit, performance, durability, construction, and usability in real outdoor conditions
  • Working with material and development partners to investigate new materials, components, tooling approaches, construction methods, and manufacturing possibilities
  • Documenting experiments, learnings, product hypotheses, prototype intent, testing feedback, and next steps to support clear decision making through the innovation process
  • Staying current with developments in footwear, biomechanics, materials, manufacturing, outdoor equipment, and adjacent industries to inspire future product solutions
  • Contributing to the creation of a future footwear innovation pipeline that supports product, process, athlete experience, and commercial opportunity
  • Helping develop signature innovation platforms and product concepts that strengthen a distinct Arc’teryx footwear point of view in the market
  • Exploring new approaches to fit, protection, traction, climate comfort, weight reduction, durability, repairability, and adaptable performance systems
  • Collaborating with Arc’teryx athletes, field testers, and external innovation partners to gather insight and prototype solutions for future mountain footwear needs

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, Innovation, Engineering, or equivalent industry experience
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in footwear innovation, footwear design, product innovation, technical product development, or a related field
  • Strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, components, tooling, prototyping methods, and manufacturing processes
  • Ability to turn insights and technical questions into experiments, prototypes, and learnings
  • Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and other tools used to communicate footwear concepts, specifications, and prototype direction
  • Strong curiosity, hands-on making skills, and a bias toward testing, learning, and iteration
  • Excellent teamwork, ability to take direction, work independently, and collaborate across functions
  • Flexibility and adaptability in ambiguous environments
  • Autonomy balanced with collaboration and continuous improvement
  • Passion for outdoor activity and Arc’teryx products
  • Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaboration

Skills

Required:Athlete insight and field observationPrototyping and testingTech pack creationAdobe Illustrator

Benefits

  • Health & wellbeing - Extended health, dental, and vision coverage, including mental health support, fertility benefits, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Financial wellbeing - 401(k) retirement savings plan matching, eligibility for Arc'teryx Annual Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) where applicable
  • Time & Flexibility - Paid time off, No Wasted Day program (dedicated paid days to get outside & explore)
  • Family support - Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents
  • Growth, community & gear - Professional development opportunities, 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
Company profileWebsite

More open roles at Arc'teryx