Senior Specialist - Footwear Design

We are looking for a Senior Specialist in Footwear Design Performance to join On's Design team. The company creates high‑performance footwear, and this role focuses on the Team Sports segment, turning athlete insights, biomechanical data and cutting‑edge technologies into the next generation of performance shoes. In the day‑to‑day you will own projects from early research through to commercial launch. Your work will involve converting athlete feedback and sport‑specific movement analysis into clear design concepts, producing sketches, 2D visuals and detailed 3D assets. You will use advanced digital workflows, including 3D modelling, computational tools and AI‑driven ideation, to speed up iteration, and you will work hand‑in‑hand with sports engineering, biomechanics and testing groups to validate design hypotheses. The position also requires regular trips (two to four per year) to our development partners in Vietnam to finalise prototypes and move concepts into production. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design or a closely related discipline and brings at least three years of proven experience designing performance footwear, preferably for team‑sport applications. A deep understanding of athlete needs and movement patterns, strong sketching and storytelling abilities, and fluency with Adobe Creative Suite are essential. You must be proficient with professional 3D design software such as Maya, ZBrush, Blender or Rhino, and have hands‑on experience with AI‑enabled creative tools and generative design workflows. Knowledge of footwear construction, material selection and industrial manufacturing processes, together with the capability to build physical mock‑ups and prototypes, is required. Excellent communication and presentation skills and fluent written and spoken English complete the profile. You will become part of a fast‑paced, cross‑functional team that blends design excellence, engineering precision and emerging digital tools to disrupt the performance‑footwear market. The role offers the chance to shape On's design vision, influence a global product line and collaborate closely with specialists in sport science, engineering and testing, while enjoying the dynamic environment of a leading innovation‑driven brand. What the role asks for: - Bachelor's or Master's in Industrial/Product Design - 3+ years performance footwear design experience - Strong sketching and storytelling abilities - Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite - Expertise in 3D tools (Maya, ZBrush, Blender, Rhino) - Experience with AI‑enabled creative and generative design tools - Understanding of footwear construction, materials and manufacturing - Fluent English, written and spoken