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Footwear Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Skechers

Product Compliance Manager

Manhattan Beach, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

The Product Compliance Manager is involved in all parts of the footwear testing process including all company initiatives to ensure that our footwear meets Skechers Testing Standard and global ...

Skechers

Product Compliance Manager

Manhattan Beach, CA · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

The Product Compliance Manager is involved in all parts of the footwear testing process including all company initiatives to ensure that our footwear meets Skechers Testing Standard and global ...

Rothy's

Footwear Developer, Women's

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$98K - $118K/yr

Experience reviewing and analyzing costing and testing data to support product improvements * Understanding of the footwear development and commercialization lifecycle * Experience working with Asia ...

Rothy's

Footwear Developer, Women's

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$98K - $118K/yr

Experience reviewing and analyzing costing and testing data to support product improvements * Understanding of the footwear development and commercialization lifecycle * Experience working with Asia ...

Rothy's

Manager, Footwear Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$122K - $156K/yr

Manager, Footwear Engineering San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do ... Synthesize wear test results, lab testing, and consumer feedback into clear, actionable insights ...

Rothy's

Manager, Footwear Engineering

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$122K - $156K/yr

Manager, Footwear Engineering San Francisco, CA At Rothy's, we know there's a better way to do ... Synthesize wear test results, lab testing, and consumer feedback into clear, actionable insights ...

Boot Barn

Women's Footwear Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

DESIGNER, FOOTWEAR REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S DESIGN STATUS: EXEMPT Summary Boot Barn is where ... Participate in fit sessions and wear-testing, providing timely updates and revisions to Tech Packs ...

Boot Barn

Women's Footwear Designer

Irvine, CA

DESIGNER, FOOTWEAR REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S DESIGN STATUS: EXEMPT Summary Boot Barn is where ... Participate in fit sessions and wear-testing, providing timely updates and revisions to Tech Packs ...

Under Armour

Lead Associate, Footwear PT

Livermore, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $24.50/hr

Drive Footwear Sales & Elevate the Athlete Experience As the Lead Associate, Footwear, you'll be ... testing), military and veteran status, family or paternal status and any other characteristic ...

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All JobsFootwear Testing JobsFootwear Testing Jobs in California

Footwear Testing information

What is footwear testing?

A Footwear Testing job involves evaluating shoes for performance, durability, safety, and comfort. Testers conduct various assessments, such as wear trials, material testing, and compliance checks to ensure products meet industry standards. They work closely with design and manufacturing teams to identify and resolve any flaws before mass production. This role is crucial in maintaining quality and customer satisfaction in the footwear industry.

What does someone in footwear testing do?

A professional in Footwear Testing is generally responsible for conducting a variety of lab tests on shoes to assess factors like durability, comfort, slip resistance, and performance under different conditions. Daily tasks may include preparing samples, operating specialized testing equipment, recording and analyzing data, and compiling detailed reports for product development teams. This role often involves close collaboration with designers, engineers, and quality assurance teams to provide feedback and ensure products meet company and industry standards. Proactive problem-solving and adaptability are important, as priorities may shift with new product launches or evolving customer requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed for footwear testing?

To excel in Footwear Testing, candidates typically need knowledge of material science, mechanical testing methodologies, and experience with quality assurance standards, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment for durability, flexibility, and comfort testing, as well as relevant industry certifications (such as SATRA or ASTM standards), is highly valuable. Attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting results and collaborating with stakeholders. These abilities are essential to ensure accurate testing outcomes, maintain product quality, and support ongoing product innovation.

How do you become a footwear tester?

To become a footwear tester, candidates typically need a good understanding of footwear design and comfort, often gained through relevant education or experience in footwear or product testing. Strong attention to detail, the ability to provide clear feedback, and sometimes a background in sports or fashion are helpful. Testing may involve evaluating shoes for comfort, durability, and fit in controlled environments or real-world use.

What are popular job titles related to Footwear Testing jobs in California?

For Footwear Testing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Footwear Testing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Footwear Testing jobs in California are:

Footwear Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Footwear Testing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid job distribution.

Senior Raw Materials Developer, Footwear

ALO

Commerce, CA • On-site

Full-time

PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

WHY JOIN ALO?
Mindful movement. It's at the core of why we do what we do at ALO-it's our calling. Because mindful movement in the studio leads to better living. It changes who yogis are off the mat, making their lives and their communities better. That's the real meaning of studio-to-street: taking the consciousness from practice on the mat and putting it into practice in life.
OVERVIEW
The Senior Raw Material Developer, Footwear is responsible for developing, engineering, and commercializing footwear materials (uppers, linings, reinforcements, foams, in socks, outsoles, adhesives, finishes, and trims) that meet brand design intent, performance, sustainability, cost, and manufacturability requirements. This role partners cross-functionally with Footwear Design, Product Development, Product Integrity/Quality, Sustainability, Sourcing, and Vendor Management to deliver materials that are scalable, compliant, and on-time for seasonal launches and core carryovers.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Material Development
  • Lead material development from concept through commercialization for footwear categories (e.g., training, studio, lifestyle, recovery).
  • Source and evaluate new materials and technologies (knits, wovens, leather and alternatives, TPU/PU films, coatings, foams, rubber compounds, bio-based options).
  • Translate design intent into technical material requirements: hand feel, stretch and recovery, abrasion, tear strength, color performance, bonding compatibility, durability, weight, and comfort.

Material Engineering & Testing
  • Define material specifications and test plans (lab and wear) to validate performance, safety, and durability.
  • Partner with Product Integrity/Quality to ensure materials meet applicable standards and regulations (RSL, REACH, CPSIA/Prop 65 where applicable, footwear chemical restrictions, labeling requirements).
  • Troubleshoot material and construction issues (e.g., delamination, cracking, yellowing, hydrolysis risk, color migration, odor, tackiness, compression set, slip performance, outsole bloom) and drive corrective actions with suppliers.
  • Ensure color and shade consistency across materials and factories; support lab dip/strike-off approvals and bulk production continuity.

Costing
  • Own material cost targets and negotiate with suppliers (pricing, MOQs, rebates, tooling where relevant); support should-cost and cost-driver breakdowns when feasible.
  • Maintain on-time material readiness aligned to development calendars and critical milestones.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management
  • Develop strategic supplier relationships (tanneries, textile mills, compounders, foam suppliers, component vendors) and maintain a qualified vendor matrix.
  • Lead supplier onboarding and capability assessments; align on quality systems, traceability, and compliance expectations.
  • Communicate clearly with internal partners: provide options, trade-offs, and decision recommendations (cost vs. performance vs. sustainability vs. speed).
  • Document decisions and maintain development trackers, sample logs, and issue resolution records.

Data, Documentation & Systems
  • Create and maintain complete material documentation: specifications, BOM inputs, test reports, certificates, MSDS/TDS, compliance documentation, color standards, and change history.
  • Ensure PLM (or equivalent system) accuracy for material codes, attributes, supplier mapping, pricing, lead times, and approval status.
  • Build standardized material playbooks for core constructions and seasonal updates.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science,Footwear Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
  • 5+ years of raw material development experience in footwear (preferred) or adjacent categories (bags/accessories/performance apparel) with strong footwear material exposure.
  • Proven experience developing materials for uppers and/or bottoms (rubber/TPU/EVA/PU foams) and understanding of bonding and lamination systems.
  • Working knowledge of footwear testing and common failure modes (abrasion, flex/crack, hydrolysis risk, adhesion/bond strength, compression set, slip resistance, colorfastness, accelerated aging).
  • Experience with global supplier management and commercialization in a multi-factory environment.
  • Proficiency in PLM and Excel; able to build trackers, dashboards, and clear development summaries.
  • Strong technical judgment with the ability to diagnose issues quickly and propose practical solutions.
  • Clear communication: able to translate technical details into decision-ready trade-offs and recommendations.
  • Program management: organized, deadline-driven, comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration.
  • Collaboration: effective partner to Design/PD, Sourcing, Quality, and external suppliers.
  • Experience with sustainable material programs (recycled content validation, bio-based claims, certification management, traceability).
  • Familiarity with chemical compliance frameworks (AFIRM-aligned RSL, MRSL concepts, restricted substances in adhesives/finishes, PFAS considerations).
  • Experience with digital color tools and color standard management (lab standards, tolerance setting, bulk lot governance).
  • Experience managing component/tooling development (molds, compounds, textures, films) and supplier trials.

The base salary range for this position is $110,000-$145,000 per year which represents the current range for the base salary for this exempt position. Please note that actual salaries will vary based on factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. As such, on occasion and when applicable, there is the possibility that the final, agreed-upon base salary may be outside of the upper end of the range. Please also note the range listed is just one component of the company's total rewards package for exempt employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, long term incentives, a PTO policy, and many other progressive benefits.
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