Lead - Footwear Developer - PAD + Young Movers

Zurich, SwitzerlandOn-site

Responsibilities

Execute the Technical Lifecycle: Manage the end-to-end development process from initial 2D/3D design concepts through tech-packing, prototyping, and final production-ready samples.
Drive Material & Tooling Innovation: Partner with material sourcing and tooling teams to test, validate, and implement new compounds, textiles, and manufacturing methods.
Lead Fit & Wear Testing: Oversee rigorous fit and wear testing protocols for both adults and kids, analyzing feedback to iterate and optimize comfort, support, and durability.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Act as the central technical hub between Design, Product Management, Sourcing, and Tier 1 factory partners to ensure timelines and margin targets are met.
Optimize for Scale: Ensure blueprints and construction methods are optimized for mass production while maintaining the pristine aesthetic integrity of the brand. Your Story…

Master Complex Integration: You will serve as the primary technical partner to Design, converting creative dreams into commercial reality without compromising on function.
Experience in kids' footwear development is a massive plus.
experience working directly with overseas commercialization centers and factories, understanding how to communicate technical nuances across cultures.
Biased for Action (With Guardrails): You possess a strong sense of urgency. You know when to move fast and trust your gut, and when to pause to ensure Swiss-engineered quality isn't compromised.

It requires patience, resilience, and a dedication to the complex integration of footwear construction and systems.
In this role, you are an individual contributor operating at the intersection of high-performance design for all-day wear and disciplined Swiss Engineering. Your Mission…
Commit to the Craft: You will lead the technical development for new silhouettes across both Adult and Kids categories, ensuring that every product meets strict engineering standards for performance, aesthetic, and fit.
Bridge the Generations: You will translate adult performance concepts into kid-specific footwear, understanding the unique biomechanical and durability needs of younger, developing feet. Your Day-to-Day…
experience , with a proven track record of launching highly complex, performance-driven lifestyle or athletic products.
Resilient Individual Contributor: You have the patience and persistence to navigate the long development road.
You take full accountability for the technical lifecycle and thrive when managing independent projects.
A Problem Solver by Nature: Ingenuity is at your core.
You think differently, challenge the status quo, and find elegance in solving the most difficult construction puzzles while maintaining superior performance.
Thrive in Ambiguity: You don't wait for a perfect roadmap. In a fast-scaling environment, parameters change quickly; you view shifting priorities as an opportunity to innovate rather than a roadblock.