Director of Innovation Management

The role of Senior Director of Innovation Engineering at On involves leading and scaling the company's global innovation engineering disciplines for footwear. On is known for its innovative approach to footwear, combining science, exploration, and engineering to create groundbreaking products. The position is based at On Labs HQ in Zürich, Switzerland, and reports directly to the Sr. Director of Innovation. The main day-to-day responsibilities include setting the engineering vision, driving breakthrough platforms from concept to commercial readiness, and overseeing core engineering pillars. These pillars encompass Polymer Science & Compound Engineering, Sports Engineering, Technology & Manufacturing Engineering, and Innovation Development & Scale-Up Engineering. The role also involves partnering with other leadership teams to establish a unified innovation agenda and ensuring technological feasibility and market readiness. To qualify for this role, candidates must have a Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or Polymer Science. Additionally, 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience is required, with a focus on guiding multi-tiered teams in performance footwear, sports equipment, or high-tech consumer products. Fluency in polymer chemistry, elastomer compounding, and other related technical areas is essential. Nice-to-have skills include a holistic systems and business mindset, the ability to balance scientific rigor with commercial acumen, and exceptional storytelling capabilities. The role also values a passion for organizational health, team coaching, and cultivating inclusive, high-trust team dynamics. The team at On is described as experts in engineering, sports science, and design, operating like a research laboratory and challenging industry limits. What the role asks for: - 12+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience - Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Sports Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field - Fluency in polymer chemistry, elastomer compounding, foam processing technologies, structural mechanics, sports engineering, CAE/FEA simulation environments, computational geometry, additive manufacturing, automated production systems, advanced product development, tooling, and industrial scale-up - Experience guiding multi-tiered teams of specialized engineers, scientists, and researchers within performance footwear, sports equipment, advanced materials, or high-tech consumer products - Exceptional storytelling and stakeholder management capabilities - Passion for organizational health, team coaching, cross-functional collaboration, and cultivating inclusive, high-trust team dynamics