Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear

Your opportunity at Arc’teryx:As the Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear you define and drive the materials innovation strategy for Arc’teryx footwear. You bring deep expertise in performance footwear materials, construction, sourcing and testing to create tangible solutions for mountain athletes moving through complex terrain. You partner closely with Footwear Design, Development, Engineering, Raw Materials, Advanced Concepts, Supply Chain and external partners to translate material opportunities into the next generation of high-performance outdoor footwear.This role is based out of our Portland office and is expected to be performed on location. Meet your future team:The Footwear team creates purpose-built solutions for mountain athletes moving across mountain terrain. Working at the intersection of design, development, biomechanics, materials science and manufacturing, we take an immersive approach to identifying our athlete’s needs to build, test, and validate products that solve for real functional challenges. Fueled by curiosity, we are builders, problem solvers and outdoor enthusiasts who collaborate across Arc’teryx and strategic partners to bring our vision to redefine the industry to life.If you were the Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear now, here are some of the core activities you would be doing:Creating, driving and maintaining the footwear materials innovation roadmap, including short, mid and long-term opportunities across uppers, textiles, foams, membranes, rubbers, reinforcements, trims and component systemsLeveraging your footwear materials expertise, supplier network and curiosity to identify, prototype and validate new solutions for mountain athletesManaging a portfolio of complex footwear materials projects across seasons and clearly communicating progress, risks and decisions to key stakeholdersDefining clear briefs, testing plans, budgets and deliverables so footwear material concepts can move effectively from exploration through validation and commercializationCollaborating with Footwear Design, Development, Product Line Management, Raw Materials, Advanced Concepts and Supply Chain teams to align innovation priorities with athlete needs, manufacturing realities, sustainability goals and commercialization timelinesBuilding and maintaining strong relationships with footwear mills, foam suppliers, rubber partners, component makers, factories, startups and academic collaboratorsCreating strategic footwear materials partnerships with external suppliers, technology partners and researchers to accelerate performance, comfort, durability, protection and sustainability outcomesStaying current with innovations in footwear manufacturing, textiles, nonwovens, membranes, coatings, foams, rubbers, reinforcements, bonding methods, waterproof-breathable systems and finishing technologiesPartnering with testing, lab and field validation teams to define footwear material performance requirements and translate learnings into actionable material improvementsSupporting proprietary footwear material solutions, exclusivity opportunities and Intellectual Property considerations in partnership with Legal and cross-functional teamsPartnering with Innovation Management and Footwear leadership on research, engineering, supplier and funding opportunities that support footwear materials advancementDriving key initiatives that improve footwear durability, repairability, lower-impact material choices, sustainable and circular design opportunitiesHere are some of the things you could be working on in the future:You will partner with Footwear Design & Development and Advanced Concept teams to build a multi-year footwear materials innovation roadmap, including priority technologies, strategic supplier partnerships, testing milestones and athlete validation plans. Are you our next Senior Materials Innovator, Footwear?You have a degree in materials science, materials engineering, textile science, industrial design, engineering or a related technical fieldYou have 8+ years of footwear, technical apparel, hardgoods or materials innovation experience, with direct exposure to performance footwear materials and developmentYou have proven experience managing material innovation projects, supplier relationships and cross-functional stakeholder alignmentYou have experience working directly with footwear material suppliers, component vendors, factories and development partners in domestic and global locationsYou are experienced in identifying, evaluating and protecting proprietary material opportunities with internal and external legal teamsYou have exceptional communication skills, including a proven ability to communicate findings to both scientists and nonscientists with strong presentation skillsYou have a strong ability to build a mindset and culture of innovation within your team and beyondYou have a strong understanding of performance footwear materials, construction, testing, fit, durability and manufacturing constraintsYou remain highly flexible and adaptable when faced with ambiguityYou effectively balance autonomy and collaborationYou inspire breakthrough thinking and continuous improvementYour passion for your work is paralleled by your passion for getting outside and living itYou are able to travel both nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaborationCompensation:The salary range for the role is USD$94,000 - USD$123,000 Total RewardsMost new team members join between the start and midpoint of the range, where you can contribute right away while continuing to grow your craft, your collaborations, and your impact at Arc’teryx. This range reflects market alignment and the scope of the role. Individual pay is determined by your skills, experience, and level of responsibility.We’re committed to fair, equitable, and competitive pay, reviewed regularly to ensure internal alignment and market relevance. Transparency is part of how we follow through on our commitments and how we honour the value you bring to our team. In addition to base pay, Arc’teryx supports people through benefits designed to sustain both work and life:Health & wellbeing - Extended health, dental, and vision coverage, including mental health support, fertility benefits, and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Financial wellbeing - Immediately vested 401(k) retirement savings plan matching, eligibility for Arc'teryx Annual Incentive Plan and access to Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), where applicable.Time & Flexibility - Paid time off, and No Wasted Day program (dedicated paid days to get outside & explore). Family support - Parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, including an option to ease the transition back to work. Growth, community & gear - Professional development opportunities, Arc'teryx Academies (outdoor skill-building events), Employee Belonging Councils, and access to employee discounts and Pro Deals (exclusive discounted pricing on gear). *Eligibility for certain programs may vary by role.<span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559685":-992,"335559738":200,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}"> Equal Opportunity Arc’teryx is committed to actively creating and fostering a culture of inclusivity where voices are heard, people are seen, and values are respected. We care about the uniqueness of our applicants, employees, and guests, and we do so in a safe space fueled by curiosity and acceptance. Creating an inclusive workplace is connected to our core value Do Right while also having the added benefit of helping make our business better. We believe inclusion helps us to create a healthier, happier workplace, drive creativity and innovation, and reflect the communities where we operate. All applicants, employees, and guests can expect equality of opportunity and fair treatment in alignment with our values. Leave it BetterWe believe that the mountains transform us, that how we adventure matters, and that there’s always a better way. Join us in creating positive change in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Live it. Get out there - the mountains make us better Disruptive evolution. In pursuit of better. Always. Commit. We set bold objectives and see them through.