Senior Lead - Footwear Developer

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary technical advisor during briefing and design phases to ensure concepts align with manufacturing capabilities
• Facilitate technical alignment between Zurich-based Design/Product Management and Asia-based execution teams
• Support the evolution of development standards by identifying technical bottlenecks
• Serve as the senior technical point of contact for Asia-based development partners to resolve complex technical hurdles
• Support the validation of fit, feel, and durability standards across factory partners
• Mentor the broader development team and translate innovation breakthroughs into actionable frameworks

Requirements

• 8–12+ years of experience in footwear development
• Background in high-performance footwear and technical complexity
• Proven ability to influence product direction through partnership and advisory
• Deep understanding of performance tooling, materials, and construction impact on supply chains
• Exceptional ability to navigate HQ and regional dynamics
• Strong strategic judgment regarding technical trade-offs and commercial scalability
• Fluency in English (verbal and written)

About the Company

On is a high-performance footwear brand based in Zurich. The Footwear Development team acts as the technical heart of the brand, linking Biomechanical Research, Material Science, Design, and Sourcing to engineer elite performance products.