In short

As a key contributor to the sportswear revolution, you will be instrumental in developing a polymer toolbox for our latest footwear technologies. Working in a collaborative lab environment, you will join forces with the footwear creation team and the innovation team. You will partner closely with polymer specialists, engineers, product developers, to develop new materials to fuel On's broader material innovation efforts. Your work will drive advancements in our product materials, ultimately shaping the future of On’s performance-driven sportswear. Additionally, you will collaborate strategically with external laboratories and key partners to create materials that align with our brand direction and inspire the future of innovative footwear concepts.

Your Mission

  • Be part of On’s innovation team and develop new polymers for innovative footwear technologies that will enable us to create a wider range of products.
  • Work at the intersection of polymer science and engineering and test your new formulation directly in the lab.
  • Be in charge of the mechanical analysis on material to make sure materials reach our quality standard.
  • Work on sustainable solutions to reduce On’s carbon footprint. In collaboration with the sustainability team you will innovate, by injecting immediate implementations into the product as well as reaching high for our ambitious roadmap.
  • Create and manage new and existing collaborations with leading partners and suppliers in specific technologies such as material vendors and research institutes to successfully implement technologies into production.
  • Collaborate closely with the Development, Design and Innovation team as well as our founders.
Group of girls smiling
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera
  • Man and woman sat at desks talking
  • Open planned office with men and women sat on a a large curved sofa
  • Group of runners talking outside the office
  • A team of people sat on the steps with a view of mountains outside the office.
  • Two women smiling at each other in a meeting room with large curved windows
  • A group of people sat around a table looking at large design papers
  • 3 men sat around with laptops smiling at each other
  • a large group of runners holding an On flag smiling at the camera

Your story

  • Master or Phd in Polymer science or strongly related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in polymer development within the performance footwear industry.
  • Experience in textile and yarn development footwear industry.
  • Experience in working with Asian partners working on new materials and polymers.
  • Advanced knowledge in various processes such as non woven, extrusion, injection molding
  • Advanced experience in polymer analysis such as DSC, Microscopy
  • Advanced knowledge acriss different engineering disciplines (mechanical testing, manufacturing technologies).
  • Sustainability is at the center of everything you do.
  • Working proficiency in English (spoken and written). Any other language is a plus.
Three On colleagues eating lunch together

About the Team

Our mission is to disrupt the sportswear market with innovative, high-performance designs. We translate consumer needs into efficient, functional, and style-forward products, balancing performance with aesthetic appeal. Operating at the crossroads of design, innovation, product management, development, and testing, we strive to deliver unparalleled functionality without compromising style.

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A woman displaying a shoe to a man
A woman displaying a shoe to a man

Explorer

Explorer

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Exploration – it’s literally our day job. We dive into the ideas of tomorrow head-first and see what we surface with. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don’t. But it’s always a rush when we discover something new.

Learn about out Spirits
An image of Dina

Dina

Sports Science Lead, Zurich

We touch every product that's being made because we bring the connection to the human being. So while everyone's excited about products, materials and colors, we go and say, “okay, so what does this actually do for the human?”
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What we offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.

Build the better you

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.