Footwear Developer

About the Role

We are looking for a Footwear Developer with deep, hands-on expertise in technical footwear development and a performance footwear materials background to join out team. In this role, you will focus on product development, and maintain an elevated understanding of materials development for footwear; including uppers, linings, membranes, trims, and reinforcements, and how they integrate with lasts, constructions, and bottom units to achieve price and performance for each model. Most importantly, you know how to keep things moving—ensuring every decision pushes the product, the process, and the team forward.

The Footwear Developer should bring confidence when presenting solutions, curiosity when exploring new technologies, and be collaborative when working across internal teams and external partners. The developer will own the work end-to-end, from concept through commercialization, partnering closely with design, engineering, sourcing, and vendor partners to deliver full spectrum of footwear built for hunting, fishing, and rugged outdoor environments.

This role is located in Bozeman, Montana with the possiblility of a hybrid work arrangement. Relocation may be available for this role.

Responsibilities

• Guide footwear project development from concept through commercialization, ensuring performance, fit, durability, and manufacturability
• Ability to analyze design tech packs and prepare for factory deliverables
• Create, manage and maintain footwear BOM database for accurate and up to date product material accuracy
• Track and guide prototypes and samples, driving solutions to materialrelated challenges
• Drive footwear-specific materials development across uppers, linings, membranes, trims, and components, including seasonal material direction and palettes
• Work together with Design, Engineering, and Product Marketing to specify materials and components to meet performance, cost, margin, and sustainability targets
• Own footwear costing in partnership with sourcing and production manager, including cost modeling, negotiations, and margin trade-offs
• Manage vendor relationships across materials suppliers and factories; evaluate, onboard, and optimize the supply base
• Partner with planning and supply chain to ensure material readiness, capacity alignment, and on-time delivery
• Work in cooperation with Footwear Development Lead and Gore Engineers for testing of waterproof and weather-protective systems (e.g., GORE-TEX, membranes, seam sealing, coatings)
• Interpret lab and field-testing results and translate insights into material and construction decisions
• Manage timelines, risks, and cross-functional communication to deliver projects on schedule
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance to team through explanation of facts and timelines

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Materials, Engineering, Chemistry, or related field OR an additional 3 years of experience in footwear and/or materials development
• Minimum 5 years of experience in footwear and/or materials development
• Strong understanding of footwear manufacturing, material processes, and waterproof constructions
• Proven experience in materials costing, vendor management, and supply planning
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills
• Comfortable working directly with overseas suppliers and factories
• Passion for outdoor, hunting, and fishing footwear performance
• Willingness to travel up to 15%

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with GORE-TEX or similar waterproof/breathable systems
• Experience working in Centric or similar product management software in daily operations