Footwear Developer
SUMMARY
First and foremost, we are riders. We share the core belief that bikes help make the world a better place. From product development and operations to finance and marketing - every role at Specialized contributes to a culture of sustainable, global growth, and innovation. Around the world, we work to recruit candidates who are passionate and curious with the belief that everyone has the potential to be a leader.
Are you a highly organized person who loves working with product and pushing the limits of innovation? Specialized is looking for an experienced and passionate Footwear Developer to join the team and help create world-class product. This role partners closely with Product, Design, and Manufacturing to deliver footwear that meets performance, fit, durability, cost, and sustainability targets. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of hands‑on footwear development experience, deep understanding of injected material, rubber compounds, and proven capability managing tooling development, revisions, and commercialization in a factory environment.
HOW YOU’LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Lead new projects through the full development lifecycle from design handoff to production confirmation.
- Manage development calendars, track milestones, and ensure on‑time sample delivery.
- Support fit validation, wear testing, and lab testing to ensure footwear meets functional requirements.
- Be a lead voice in driving materials exploration and execution, partnering with Industrial Design, CMF and Asia-based development teams.
- Costing: help to facilitate cost-engineering of products throughout the design and commercialization phase.
- Process Optimization: Continually find opportunities to improve design and development processes.
wHAT YOU NEED TO WIN
- Experience with midsole and outsole tooling development, understanding geometry refinement, draft, parting lines, sidewall detailing, groove design, and mold feasibility.
- Ability to communicate with detail cross-functionally ensuring very clear direction and expectations to all team members.
- Experience in cost-engineering and negotiations.
- Knowledge of materials; plastics, composites, textiles, construction techniques, advanced tooling, etc.
- Experience tracking and driving footwear projects, meeting delivery, cost and innovation targets.
- Ability to work fluidly with factories and vendors; communicate forecasts clearly and accurately.
- Experience contributing to design reviews and ability to provide feedback and give direction based on production capabilities and costing.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally, 3-4 times per year.
- 5+ years in footwear development
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field or equivalent work experience.
- Passionate cyclist desired
Pay
Below is a summary of compensation elements for this role at the company if based in the following locations:
California Base Pay Range: $80,000 - $120,000
At Specialized, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package and will depend on your work experience, skills, certification, and location.
LOCATION
- Morgan Hill, CA (Office) (4 days in office)
BENEFITS
As a full-time, regular teammate, you are eligible for the following benefits, beginning the first of the month following your start date.
Benefits include:
- Competitive pay with annual performance-based reviews for continued growth and recognition
- Comprehensive healthcare plan options, including PPO, EPO, HDHP, and HMO (acupuncture and physical therapy included)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer HSA contributions when enrolled in the High-Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP)
- 401(k) Company Matching up to $5,000 annually with immediate 100% vesting and administrative fees paid for by the company
- Company-paid Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program that provides access to individualized mental well-being care
- Generous Vacation, Sick, Paid Holidays, and Volunteer Time Off
- 14 weeks of 100% paid leave for birthing parents and 8 weeks of 100% paid leave for non-birthing parents, plus a Specialized bike for your new baby
- Up to $9,000 annually in Career Development & Degree Assistance
- Up to $250 annually in Fitness & Wellness Reimbursement
- Industry Pro-Deal Discounts and Perks
For additional information on benefits and perks, please visit: https://benefits.specialized.com.
We want to increase representation of all races, genders, and body types in the cycling industry and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where all people thrive. We encourage everyone – especially those from marginalized groups – to apply to our job postings and help us earn the position as the rider’s brand of choice. We are always looking for creative, innovative, and passionate people who are eager to contribute to our mission of pedaling the planet forward. Regardless of your qualifications, if you are ready to make a difference, please apply and let us know how you can make an impact at Specialized! See what we are up to on LinkedIn, Instagram.
