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TECHNICAL DESIGNER – FOOTWEAR

TERRAZIGN k

Portland, OR

Jan 31
Job Description

You spend a lot of time thinking about shoes. What sets you apart is that more than just sketching concepts you are comfortable sewing an upper and using a bladder press. You feel comfortable modifying a midsole to test new tech, redrawing a shell pattern to add volume for a new fit system and drawing a tech pack to communicate designs to a factory. You have knowledge of stack heights, foam hardness, last offsets…but are always ready to rethink standards to innovate. You love the power a physical sample has to move an idea forward. You take the initiative and are team oriented. You have a keen understanding of the parts and processes involved in making a performance shoe. You want to bring concepts to life in a way that can be efficiently produced. You love a challenge.

What you’ll do:
• Work on innovation and inline footwear design projects across multiple brands and categories
• Design and fabricate in Terrazign’s 6,000 square foot soft goods studio and machine shop
• Sketch footwear concepts, create technology icons/visual language, develop footwear innovation platforms/new technology
• Pattern uppers, build component assemblies and full prototype shoes
• Generate 2D tooling drawings, cross sections and color CAD
• Define and produce full tech pack for factory hand off
• Build presentation assets and communication tools that clearly describe decision making and design solutions
• Continually grow your knowledge of textile/material properties, footwear manufacturing processes and product industry standards
• Deliver the highest quality output with attention to all construction and material details.

What you’ll bring
• Background that includes the physical prototyping of performance/technical footwear
• Experience building functional footwear samples – including upper construction and bottom unit assembly
• Knowledge of footwear constructions, last design, tooling design, and common performance footwear materials – foams, plates, textiles, films, and reinforcements
• Experience making technical 2D tooling drawings, cross sections and full tech packs
• Comfort building novel, new concept, and innovation proof of concept prototype shoes
• Experience with modifying existing shoes for new technology component testing
• CAD skills (Adobe Illustrator, rhino, Fusion 360, or equivalent) – gravity sketch is a plus

TERRAZIGN

Terrazign is a product design firm focused on textile integration with hard goods, and other structural components. Anything and everything that touches textile-based product design is our specialty. We span a wide range of industries and work with clients at every phase of the product creation process.

Our approach is simple: design by prototype. Our studio serves as our sketchbook. We utilize machines and materials, especially textiles, in unconventional ways to solve problems. We start working with real materials immediately. Driving to a production ready solution and discovering new insights along the way. A process that balances form and function. A process producing functional simplicity and beauty.