Occupation

Footwear Designer

Footwear Designers create shoe designs for athletic, lifestyle, and performance markets, translating brand strategy and athlete or consumer needs into physical and digital prototypes. The work involves sketching concepts, using 3D design software, and collaborating across product development, engineering, and marketing teams to refine designs through multiple iterations from concept to production. The role suits creatively driven individuals with technical aptitude in materials and construction who enjoy balancing aesthetic vision with functional footwear engineering.

Duties & responsibilities

• Sketch and render footwear concepts using digital design software and hand drawing techniques
• Design shoes balancing aesthetic vision with functional requirements across athletic, lifestyle, and performance categories
• Collaborate with product development, engineering, and marketing teams to refine designs through multiple iterations
• Develop prototypes and technical specifications translating brand strategy and consumer needs into physical products
• Apply technical knowledge of footwear construction, materials, patterning, fit, and manufacturing processes
• Present and communicate design concepts and iterations to stakeholders and cross-functional teams
• Mentor junior designers and contribute creative direction to establish brand identity in assigned footwear categories

What Footwear Designer roles involve, from employers’ own postings.

From employers’ own postings, as of2026-10-28.

Open roles

3

on Career App right now

Employers

3

hiring for it

Median pay

—

not enough disclosed

Disclose pay

—

of these roles

Open Footwear Designer roles (3)

Design Director, Men's Footwear

Tecovas

Full-time · Austin, TX · $150,000 – $165,000

Tecovas seeks an experienced footwear designer to lead the creation of men's western boots and shoes, balancing heritage craftsmanship with modern design innovation. This role suits someone with deep technical expertise in footwear construction who is passionate about the western category and wants to mentor the next generation of designers.

Listed on Tecovas’s careers site · Apply there ↗

H

Expert Designer, Energy - HOKA Footwear

HOKA

Portland, OR

Lead the creative design of innovative performance and lifestyle footwear for HOKA's Energy category, managing high-profile collaborations and brand stories from concept to commercial scale. This role suits experienced footwear designers with strong leadership skills who want to shape a brand's creative direction and mentor junior designers.

Listed on HOKA’s careers site · Apply there ↗

Altra: Footwear Designer II

Altra Running

Full-time · Denver, CO · $82,080 – $102,600

You'll lead the design of technical footwear across Altra's athletic, outdoor, and lifestyle lines, collaborating with product and marketing teams to translate strategy into innovative concepts and prototypes. This role suits experienced footwear designers with strong technical knowledge who thrive in cross-functional environments and want to push product innovation forward.

Listed on Altra Running’s careers site · Apply there ↗