Contract Senior Footwear Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Altra, we are on a never-ending journey to seek out opportunities to unlock potential in ourselves and others and to create a more diverse and inclusive running community. When we're all working together as the best versions of ourselves, we can feel empowered both individually and as a community. So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us - our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people driven to discover more about ourselves and the world around us, Altra just may be the place for you.
To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Altra Careers or www.altrarunning.com.
What will you do?
As a Senior Footwear Designer - Inline at Altra, you won't just design shoes - you'll help define what's next in performance running. You'll work alongside a cross-functional team of developers, materials experts, color designers, product managers, engineers, and testing specialists to create what does not yet exist. This is a role for someone driven to remove boundaries, embrace risk, and push beyond what can currently be seen or done.
You'll collaborate closely with the Altra Design Team and tap into the deep expertise of the broader VF Design community. You'll have access to Altra's product and leadership teams, as well as a powerful global network of multidisciplinary design peers and leaders across the VF matrix. This role reports directly to the Director of Footwear Design.
We're looking for someone with a proven track record of independently creating compelling, industry-leading technical-performance footwear designs that stand out for both function and aesthetic innovation. You believe true performance innovation happens at the intersection of art and science, where biomechanics, materials, and engineering meet form, emotion, and visual storytelling. You thrive in ambiguity, make smart, calculated bets, and are energized by solving problems others haven't solved yet. From early ideation and experimentation through prototyping and commercialization, you know how to shepherd breakthrough concepts into a real, athlete-ready product.
You inspire confidence, influence across functions, and build strong, trust-based collaborative relationships. You bring a positive, resilient mindset aligned with Altra's Challenger Spirit and Spirit of Discovery - someone who pushes through roadblocks and brings clarity where others see uncertainty.
What do you need to succeed?
We value diverse paths and perspectives. While formal education in a related field is appreciated, we are most interested in your 5-7 years of experience designing and developing cutting edge performance footwear (and associated products).
To thrive in this role, you'll bring:

• A self-driven, problem-solving mindset with strong personal accountability
• Deep curiosity and a passion for continuously elevating your footwear design craft
• Comfort mentoring and supporting emerging designers
• The ability to juggle multiple projects, shift priorities quickly, and excel in a fast-paced environment
• A genuine passion for technical performance footwear, running, biomechanics, and human performance - with an appreciation for how art and science come together in great product design
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, sometimes for extended periods
• Flexibility to work extended hours when needed to meet key milestones

You will also:

• Create brand-new concepts that expand what Altra can be, and translate them into footwear that aligns with seasonal vision and brand DNA
• Communicate clearly and proactively with Innovation Design, Product Development, and Product Management to ensure alignment and successful delivery
• Confidently pitch and sell product ideas, presenting design concepts at key milestones to internal and external leaders
• Bring hands-on cobbling and prototyping skills (a plus)
• Have experience with 3D design tools (a plus, not required)
• Demonstrate strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills, and be able to create detailed 2D tech packs in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)
• Possess expert knowledge of performance footwear materials and manufacturing processes
• Be comfortable using presentation tools such as Keynote, PowerPoint, and Acrobat
• You don't have to be a runner, but you do need to be excited by the sport and endlessly curious about how athletes move and perform.
• You bring deep knowledge of both technical and non-technical footwear constructions across men's and women's products, along with a strong understanding of the footwear design and development process. You obsess over performance details and are driven to make every product better - ensuring Altra's legendary fit and performance continue to evolve.
• Beyond design, you'll provide leadership within the team, sharing your expertise and raising the level of those around you. This role helps shape the future of Altra by collaborating closely with Asia manufacturing partners and athletes in the field.

There are also a few skills that are not required but preferred.

• Experience in performance running footwear or deep familiarity with run culture and biomechanics.
• Experience working directly with overseas factories and development teams.
• Physical prototyping skills and hands-on model making experience.

Now WE have a question for YOU. Are you in?
Hiring Range:
$96,768.00 USD - $120,960.00 USD annually
Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.
Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.
Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.
At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.
Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.