In short

As a Senior Specialist - Upper Concept Designer, you will drive groundbreaking footwear upper innovations. You will be helping us to continue pushing the boundaries of material design and upper engineering to shape the future of performance footwear. Collaborating with cross-functional teams and industry-leading partners, you’ll translate visionary concepts into real-world performance breakthroughs, elevating both product experience and athletic potential.

Your Mission

  • Design and craft uppers and materials that seamlessly blend form and function, defining a unique design language that fuses aesthetic storytelling with technical innovation
  • Drive upper and material innovation from concept to execution, integrating cutting-edge materials, construction techniques, and performance-driven designs.
  • Develop and prototype new upper constructions and materials, leveraging expertise in textiles, footwear making, and material science to redefine upper engineering through making, sampling and fearless experimentation.
  • Scout and integrate emerging materials, processes, and technologies, staying ahead of industry trends and sustainability advancements.
  • Work closely with suppliers, research institutes, and material technology experts in weaving, knitting, and textile development to turn breakthrough concepts into scalable products.
  • Create precise tech packs and utilize digital tools (CAD, Adobe Illustrator etc.) to effectively communicate design intent internally and to external partners.
  • Work cross-functionally with Design, Materials, Development, Sport Science, and Sustainability teams, aligning innovation with On’s product vision.
  • Be a proactive self-starter, thriving in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects with strong prioritization and execution skills
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

  • BSc/MSc in material design, product/footwear design or equivalent experience in a related field.
  • 5 + years experience as a materials designer, product designer or developer in the performance footwear industry or equivalent experience in a related field.
  • Affinity for product design and technology, particularly in the technical performance category, with an eye for aesthetics and key awareness of trends both in and out of the industry.
  • Highly creative problem solver that thrives in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects with strong prioritization and execution skills.
  • Advance textile construction and manufacturing knowledge, optimizing stitches, structures and raw materials for peak functionality.
  • Footwear Construction Knowledge: Understanding of shoe anatomy, various shoemaking processes and the ability to adapt and engineer pattern and processes to achieve the desired outcome.
  • Ability to create detailed tech packs to communicate design intent effectively with partners.Knowledge of textile-specific design software, such as CAD tools and Adobe suite.
  • Experience in working and communicating with manufacturing partners
  • Experience in IP and patent protection within the R&D space.
  • Ability to work autonomously parallel to cross-functional collaboration.
  • Strong communication skills (verbal & written) as well as the ability to communicate across all levels of the organization and to manage several projects in various stages
  • Skilled in dealing with change and bring an entrepreneurial spirit when facing unexpected challenges.
Three On colleagues eating lunch together

About the Team

You will work in the Innovation Design Studio with an international team of experts, developers, engineers across different disciplines, designing and developing the most advanced products and technologies at On. We deliver breakthrough Innovation and Design by leveraging state of the art manufacturing technologies and design tools. This team is specifically tasked with designing and developing the most exciting long-term innovation solutions into high level product concepts that are driven by Athlete Performance and Sustainability goals. To be truly disruptive in this space this team rethinks the ways our products are made from the ground up and seamlessly integrates design and technology to unlock new opportunities.

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Two woman having a talk at a table

Athlete

Athlete

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The difference is in the detail. So we push boundaries. Mark those marginal gains. All in pursuit of designing ever better looking products. That’s what we do – what’s best today, can be improved tomorrow.

Learn about our Spirits
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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.