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Footwear Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

VF Corporation

3D CAD Footwear Designer (Altra)

Denver, CO · On-site

$27.75 - $38.25/hr

As part of the Footwear Design team, you will help bring Altra's inline footwear product to life through advanced 3D design and visualization. Working closely with Footwear Design, Development ...

Vfc

3D CAD Footwear Designer (Altra)

Denver, CO · On-site

$27.75 - $38.25/hr

As part of the Footwear Design team, you will help bring Altra's inline footwear product to life through advanced 3D design and visualization. Working closely with Footwear Design, Development ...

VF Corporation

3D CAD Footwear Designer (Altra)

Denver, CO

$27.75 - $38.25/hr

As part of the Footwear Design team, you will help bring Altra's inline footwear product to life through advanced 3D design and visualization. Working closely with Footwear Design, Development ...

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Footwear Design information

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$42K

$114.5K

$201.5K

How much do footwear design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for footwear design in the United States is $114,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Footwear Design Jobs?

Footwear design jobs focus on the construction and design process for creating new footwear. Common job titles include design intern, senior designer, design director, and development manager. In a role as a footwear designer, you may determine which sewing technique to use, where to manufacture the shoe, and what materials to use. Most footwear design jobs are objective-based—that is, the footwear is designed for a specific audience and needs to take their unique considerations into account. For example, creating a steel-toed boot for construction workers is very different from creating athletic shoes for a sprinter, and both are different from making fashionable shoes. Most footwear design jobs entail making evaluations of fit performance, cost/value requirements, and other practical details.

What is the difference between Footwear Design vs Shoe Design?

AspectFootwear DesignShoe Design
CredentialsFashion or industrial design degree, portfolioSimilar credentials, focus on shoe-specific skills
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, manufacturing facilitiesDesign studios, production lines
Industry UsageFashion brands, sportswear, luxuryFootwear companies, bespoke shoemaking
Search & ComparisonOften compared for design scope and specialization

Footwear Design and Shoe Design are closely related fields, both involving the creation of footwear products. Footwear Design generally encompasses a broader scope, including various types of footwear like boots, sneakers, and dress shoes, often with a focus on fashion and ergonomics. Shoe Design tends to be more specialized, concentrating specifically on the technical and aesthetic aspects of shoes. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, but Footwear Design may involve a wider range of styles and materials.

How do Footwear Designers typically collaborate with other departments during the product development process?

Footwear Designers work closely with teams such as product development, marketing, and manufacturing throughout the creation of a new shoe. They translate initial concepts into technical drawings, coordinate with material specialists to select suitable fabrics and components, and ensure design feasibility with production teams. Regular meetings and feedback sessions help align the design vision with market trends, cost constraints, and production capabilities. This collaborative process is essential for bringing innovative and commercially successful footwear to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Footwear Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Footwear Designer, you need a strong background in design principles, sketching, and an understanding of materials and manufacturing processes, often supported by a degree in fashion or industrial design. Familiarity with CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and prototyping equipment is crucial in creating and refining innovative shoe concepts. Creativity, trend awareness, and effective communication are standout soft skills for collaborating with teams and translating ideas into market-ready products. These skills enable designers to produce functional, appealing footwear that meets consumer demands and stands out in a competitive market.

What is footwear design?

Footwear design is the process of creating and developing new shoes and other types of footwear, blending creativity with functionality. Designers consider aspects like aesthetics, materials, ergonomics, and current fashion trends to create innovative and comfortable products. The role involves sketching concepts, selecting materials, working with manufacturing teams, and sometimes using digital design software. Footwear designers may specialize in areas such as sports shoes, casual footwear, or luxury brands.
More about Footwear Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Footwear Design jobs? Cities with the most Footwear Design job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Footwear Design jobs? The most popular types of Footwear Design jobs are:
What states have the most Footwear Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Footwear Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Footwear Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Footwear Design jobs are:
Footwear Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Footwear Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,491 per year, or $55 per hour.
Footwear Design Intern, Inline

Footwear Design Intern, Inline

Brooks Running

Seattle, WA

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That's why we're driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive - whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:  

  • Runner First 
    • We act in the best interest of the runner
  • Word is Bond 
    • We do what we say we'll do 
  • Champion Heart  
    • We give our all in everything we do  
  • There is no "I" in Run 
    • We stay generous with our humanity 
  • Keep Moving 
    • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we're all moving towards something. Let's run there.   


Brooks Internship Program: 

Brooks Running hosts internships at our Seattle HQ offices to provide hands-on, meaningful work experience to further enhance your education and professional aptitude. Our interns gain exposure to real work, and projects while working side by side with Brooks employees and leadership. If chosen for this role, you will embark on 6 months of learning, professional development, and exposure to the Brooks brand and culture. 

Internship Details: 

Duration: 6 months 

Internship Target Start: July 13, 2026

Compensation: $31.00

Location: Seattle, HQ 

Schedule: 40 hours / week

Please apply if you can commit to the duration, salary and location for this opportunity.

Your  Opportunity

As a Brooks Footwear Design Intern, you will support the creation of innovative footwear concepts under the guidance of the members of the Footwear Design team. You will gain exposure to all aspects of the product creation process, including construction, color, form, style, detail, fit, performance, and cost/value considerations.

As a Brooks Footwear Design Intern, you will work in close collaboration with cross-functional product creation partners, building foundational design skills while contributing to real-world projects. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, you will develop a strong understanding of the footwear design process and create a portfolio that reflects both creative growth and product creation knowledge.

This will be a 6-month internship, with the possibility of a 6-month extension based on performance and feedback from the Footwear Design team, and your Footwear Design mentor.

 

Your Project

As part of your experience as a Footwear Design Intern at Brooks, you will complete an individual design project under the guidance of a Senior Footwear Designer. Project details will be determined based on your interests, development goals, and business needs.

Throughout the internship, you will apply your design skills, explore creative solutions, and gain hands-on experience within the footwear creation process. At the conclusion of the internship, you will present your project to the Footwear Design team, showcasing your design process, storytelling, and final concept while further developing your communication and presentation skills.

Your Impact (Responsibilities):
  • Collaborate with Development and Product Line Management partners to support the creation of innovative running footwear that resonates with runners and reflects the Brooks "Let's Run There" spirit.
  • Seek and apply feedback from cross-functional partners to develop design solutions that balance cost/value, fit, performance, manufacturability, sustainability, merchandising, and aesthetic execution.
  • Build knowledge of the running consumer and running culture to help inform product performance, appearance, and design opportunities across categories, customer segments or emerging trends.
  • Analyze pre-line feedback from Sales, Marketing, Merchandising, and other partners to better understand consumer needs and support brand alignment.
  • Create hand sketches, digital renderings, and presentation materials to clearly communicate and present design concepts.
  • Support the exploration and development of footwear concepts through research, ideation, and iterative design work.
  • Apply feedback and learned techniques to strengthen design solutions and continue building design craft and problem-solving skills.
Your Qualifications:
  • Currently enrolled as a junior or above in a university (or equivalent degree program) majoring in Product Design, Industrial Design, Footwear Design, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated talent in sketching and concept development.
  • Strong portfolio showcasing innovative thinking and a passion for performance footwear design.
  • Solid understanding of color, materials, texture, human factors, and form in product design.
  • High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop required.
  • Experience with 3D design software is a plus.
  • Previous performance footwear design experience is a plus.
  • Knowledge of manufacturing processes, plastics, and other engineering materials is a plus.
  • Strong attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution, while understanding how individual design decisions impact the overall product.
  • Ability to anticipate how design decisions affect customers, partners, products, and cross-functional teams, connecting the broader system across the organization.
  • Demonstrated innovation and initiative, with a drive to improve products and processes while remaining hands-on and detail-oriented.
  • Must be able to collaborate in a team-oriented environment. 
  • Experience using AI for ideation support or brainstorming desired. 
  • Passion for sport is a plus, with a strong ability to understand and empathize with runners to build meaningful connections with the Brooks community.
  • Embraces and lives Brooks values.
Benefits: 
Paid Internship 
Sign-on bonus to provide financial support before first paycheck 
Housing Subsidy 
Travel Fee Coverage 
Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
60% Employee Discount 
Paid Holidays 
 
Compensation: 
Undergraduate Intern: $31/hour 

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.

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