Designer II, Footwear Innovation

Position Overview

The ASICS Creation Center, LLC is ASICS Corporation’s product creation office based in Boston, MA. This organization's focus is on taking innovation and product creations to new heights. The team sits across the following areas: Innovation, Performance Running, Sportstyle and Core Performance Sports. At ASICS, our Sound Mind, Sound Body™ philosophy is more than a tagline – it’s our way of life. We provide a diverse and inclusive culture that enables learning, growth, and opportunity at all levels while empowering employees to pursue their career goals.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Key Responsibilities

• Push the boundaries of design language, form, function, and materials while maintaining performance goals and manufacturability.
• Create sketches, rough prototypes, detailed tech packs, CAD files, and presentations to convey concept intents and work with development counterparts to provide necessary information for making and testing.
• Connect with the consumer, internal wear testing, and sports research teams to gather insights for ideating and conceptualizing new high performance footwear constructions and technologies.
• Utilize knowledge of footwear, design, human performance, and manufacturing to propose new perspectives on high performance footwear challenges.
• Provide design exploration for innovation projects.
• Support and execute the global footwear innovation strategy by identifying and driving key design opportunities linked to consumer, enterprise, and business goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Research, Marketing, Engineering, and Development to support innovation partnerships.
• Adhere to footwear innovation go-to-market deadlines, including innovation and mainline design reviews.
• Articulate important project updates and complex information to stakeholders effectively.
• Ensure cross-functional partners have up-to-date project information and facilitate effective collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• Good understanding of footwear design, construction, and production.
• Highly creative, curious, and passionate about innovation.
• Ability to work through and manage ambiguity.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Excellent sketching and ideation skills.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Proficiency in 2D CAD and tech packaging.
• Experience with 3D modeling, rendering, and 3D printing is a plus.
• Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing a plus.
• Familiarity with integrating handcraft and making as part of the creative process.
• Experience with footwear product manufacturing processes including materials/fabrics and molding.
• Proficient with Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Design or related field. Will consider a suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• Experience Required: At least 3 to 4 years' experience designing and developing innovative footwear performance products, with experience in running. Direct innovation experience is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

• Salary: $85,000 - $97,500
• Enjoy a diverse and inclusive culture with robust employee benefits that promote true work-life balance and a strong sense of community.