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Footwear Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Footwear Developer, Women's San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 225 million single-use ...

Footwear Developer, Women's San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 225 million single-use ...

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH As a member of the Kids Footwear Team, you'll collaborate closely with functional partners across the product creation process, including Footwear Engineering, Footwear Product ...

Manager, Footwear Engineering San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 225 million single-use ...

Manager, Footwear Engineering San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 225 million single-use ...

Lead, Kids Footwear Product Engineering

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$173K - $180K/yr

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are seeking a Kid's Sport FW Lead Product Engineer to join our Kid's Division Footwear Product team, dedicated to creating the best footwear for our youngest athletes. As a ...

OVERVIEW The Raw Material Developer - Footwear is responsible for developing, engineering, and commercializing footwear materials (uppers, linings, reinforcements, foams, in socks, outsoles ...

Senior Footwear Designer

Bozeman, MT · On-site

$104K - $111K/yr

Senior Footwear Designer Overview The Senior Footwear Designer helps drive the creative heartbeat ... developers, and provide clear design intent throughout multiple rounds of prototyping. This role ...

Footwear Product Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Footwear Product Developer Brand: AZALEA WANG Reports to: Head of Product & Design for Wholesale, Azalea Wang The Role We're looking for a Footwear Product Developer who lives at the intersection of ...

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Footwear Engineer information

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$24K

$108K

$172K

How much do footwear engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for footwear engineer in the United States is $107,956.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $133,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Footwear Engineer job?

A Footwear Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing footwear to ensure performance, comfort, durability, and manufacturability. They work with materials, biomechanics, and production processes to create innovative and functional footwear. Their role involves collaborating with designers, researchers, and manufacturers to optimize designs based on consumer needs and industry trends.

What does a typical day look like for a Footwear Engineer?

As a Footwear Engineer, your day could involve collaborating with designers to refine product concepts, selecting appropriate materials, and using CAD software to develop prototypes. You may also participate in meetings with production teams to address manufacturing challenges, run tests on new materials, and analyze prototypes for durability and comfort. Regular communication with cross-functional teams—such as marketing, supply chain, and quality assurance—is common to ensure that final products meet both functional and aesthetic standards. This dynamic environment offers variety and the chance to see your ideas go from concept to finished product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Footwear Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Footwear Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical engineering, materials science, and product design, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, rapid prototyping tools, and knowledge of manufacturing processes and industry standards is essential. Creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills for this role. These qualifications enable Footwear Engineers to design innovative, functional, and marketable footwear while meeting quality and production requirements.

More about Footwear Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Footwear Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Footwear Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Footwear Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Footwear Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Footwear Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Footwear Engineer jobs include:
Footwear Developer, Women's

Footwear Developer, Women's

Rothy's

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$98K - $118K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Rothy's rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Footwear Developer, Women's
San Francisco, CA
At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do business, and it starts by putting the planet and its people first. More than 225 million single-use plastic bottles and 715,000 pounds of ocean-bound marine plastic have been transformed into our signature thread, creating wardrobe staples that look just as good as they feel.
Striving for zero waste, we combine 3D knitting technology and handcrafted assembly to create machine washable styles that don't compromise on comfort. From classic shoes to carry-everywhere bags, we create essentials for wherever you go.
At Rothy's, building a sustainable future is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment at our HQ, retail stores and wholly-owned factory, and are growing our community every day.
About the Team:
Our Production team is always one step ahead. While many teams are responsible for responding to moments in the present, this one looks toward the future. From finessing the production of our silhouettes to developing new materials, our production gurus work hand-in-hand with our factory team, sustainability, merchandising and design partners to make sure the wheels of Rothy's keep turning on our quest for a more sustainable future.
About the role:
Rothy's is looking for a creative and analytical Footwear Developer to support the development of innovative, high-quality footwear that delights customers. This role is hands-on and highly collaborative, partnering closely with Product Design, Merchandising, Production, and our factory teams to bring footwear from concept through commercialization. The Footwear Developer plays a key role in executing development milestones, ensuring technical integrity, cost targets, and timelines are met.
What you'll do:
  • Collaborate with Product Design, Merchandising, and factory partners to develop footwear from concept through commercialization, supporting alignment to design intent, quality standards, cost targets, and timelines
  • Evaluate bottoms, components, upper patterns, knitting, materials, and constructions from fit, performance, durability, costing, and manufacturing feasibility perspectives
  • Provide technical input and identify potential risks early in the development process, proposing alternative solutions as needed
  • Support resolution of product development issues by partnering cross-functionally to deliver cost-effective and timely solutions
  • Analyze cost differences across prototypes and sample stages; review CBDs, yields, and material usage, and support cost negotiations to achieve margin goals
  • Partner with integrity and quality teams to support fit consistency, comfort, and performance from development through production
  • Evaluate materials and components for physical properties, performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness to ensure appropriate application
  • Participate as a key contributor in all sample reviews (prototype, development, fit, confirmation, TOP) to support quality and executional consistency
  • Help coordinate and contribute to cross-functional development meetings to review progress, align on decisions, and support on-time delivery
  • Maintain clear, proactive communication with factory and vendor partners throughout development and production
  • Identify opportunities to improve product integrity, development efficiency, and cost savings, contributing ideas and solutions to the broader team

You are:
  • Able to interpret design intent and product needs with growing independence and technical confidence
  • A self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and is comfortable learning on the fly
  • Collaborative, solutions-oriented, and eager to partner across teams
  • Curious, adaptable, and open to feedback and new ways of working
  • A clear and effective communicator with internal and external partners
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and follow-through
  • Willing and able to travel domestically (1-3 times per year) and internationally (quarterly)

You have:
  • 4-6 years of footwear product development and/or production experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Engineering, Industrial Design, or another applicable technical field
  • Working knowledge of footwear construction, materials, components, costing, testing, and manufacturing processes
  • Experience reviewing and analyzing costing and testing data to support product improvements
  • Understanding of the footwear development and commercialization lifecycle
  • Experience working with Asia-based factories or vendors
  • Strong computer skills, including PLM and Google Sheets/Docs/Slides; Adobe Illustrator experience a plus

Our benefits:
  • Generous paid time off
  • 401k matching
  • Comprehensive health plans for you and your family
  • Supplemental mental health benefits
  • Monthly wellness reimbursement
  • Dog friendly offices
  • Employee Discount Program!

Pay range:
$98,000 - $118,000 annually
Base pay is one part of the total rewards package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work. This role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, as well as a comprehensive benefits package.
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