Your opportunity at ARC’TERYX:
As a Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation, you contribute to the exploration, creation, and validation of future footwear solutions that advance Arc’teryx’s product vision. In this role, you will help identify athlete needs, develop experimental concepts, build prototypes, test new materials and constructions, and translate insight into innovation opportunities for the footwear category. You will support the creation of a strong and ownable Arc’teryx footwear DNA by connecting mountain utility, technical problem solving, material innovation, fit, durability, and commercial potential. You are a curious and hands-on problem solver who thrives in ambiguity, learns through making, and works collaboratively to turn emerging ideas into meaningful product possibilities.
This role is based out of our Portland office and is expected to be performed on-location.
Meet your future team:
The Arc’teryx Footwear team creates innovative, technical product that exceeds the core mountain athlete’s needs in the outdoors. We are builders, problem solvers and passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Fueled by curiosity, we take an immersive approach to identifying our athlete’s needs and build, test, and validate products that solve for real functional challenges. We are a passionate collective with a focus on collaborative teamwork and our vision is to redefine the industry.If you were in the Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation role now, here are some of the core activities you would be doing:
- Supporting the exploration of future footwear innovation opportunities through athlete insight, field observation, product research, trend awareness, and competitive analysis
- Translating research, performance problems, and user needs into early concepts, prototypes, experiments, and product hypotheses
- Helping build and evolve a distinct Arc’teryx footwear innovation DNA across fit, ride, traction, protection, durability, materials, construction, and mountain utility
- Creating sketches, concept boards, mockups, prototypes, test samples, material explorations, and clear visual storytelling to communicate new footwear possibilities
- Translating concepts into detailed tech packs to clearly communicate complex constructions to manufacturing partners
- Building, testing, and iterating footwear prototypes to validate comfort, fit, performance, durability, construction, and usability in real outdoor conditions
- Working with material and development partners to investigate new materials, components, tooling approaches, construction methods, and manufacturing possibilities
- Documenting experiments, learnings, product hypotheses, prototype intent, testing feedback, and next steps to support clear decision making through the innovation process
- Staying current with developments in footwear, biomechanics, materials, manufacturing, outdoor equipment, and adjacent industries to inspire future product solutions
Here are some of the things you could be working on in the future:
- Contributing to the creation of a future footwear innovation pipeline that supports product, process, athlete experience, and commercial opportunity
- Helping develop signature innovation platforms and product concepts that strengthen a distinct Arc’teryx footwear point of view in the market
- Exploring new approaches to fit, protection, traction, climate comfort, weight reduction, durability, repairability, and adaptable performance systems
- Collaborating with Arc’teryx athletes, field testers, and external innovation partners to gather insight and prototype solutions for future mountain footwear needs
Are you our next Designer 2 – Footwear Innovation?
- You have a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, Innovation, Engineering, or equivalent industry experience
- You have 5+ years of hands-on experience in footwear innovation, footwear design, product innovation, technical product development, or a related field
- You have a strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, components, tooling, prototyping methods, and manufacturing processes
- You are skilled at turning insights, product problems, and technical questions into experiments, prototypes, and learnings
- You are comfortable building concept boards, sketches, mockups, prototypes, test plans, and documentation that clearly communicate innovation intent
- You are proficient with Adobe Illustrator and other tools used to communicate footwear concepts, specifications, and prototype direction
- You have strong curiosity, hands-on making skills, and a bias toward testing, learning, and iteration
- You are an excellent team player with the ability to take direction, work independently, and collaborate across functions
- You remain flexible, adaptable, and energized when working through ambiguity and unknowns
- You balance autonomy and collaboration while contributing to breakthrough thinking and continuous improvement
- Your passion for your work is paralleled by your passion for getting outside and living it
- You have strong knowledge of Arc’teryx products and the activities Arc’teryx makes products for
- You have the ability to travel both nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaboration
Compensation:
Most 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, Innovation, Engineering, or equivalent industry experience
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in footwear innovation, footwear design, product innovation, technical product development, or a related field
- Strong understanding of footwear construction, materials, fit, components, tooling, prototyping methods, and manufacturing processes
- Ability to translate insights, product problems, and technical questions into experiments, prototypes, and learnings
- Ability to create concept boards, sketches, mockups, prototypes, test plans, and documentation
- Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and other tools used to communicate footwear concepts, specifications, and prototype direction
- Strong curiosity, hands-on making skills, and willingness to test, learn, and iterate
- Ability to collaborate across functions, take direction, and work independently
- Flexibility and adaptability when working through ambiguity and unknowns
- Passion for outdoor activities and living the product category
- Strong knowledge of Arc'teryx products and the activities they support
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required for research, development, testing, and partner collaboration
What We Do
Arc’teryx is a global design company based in North Vancouver, B.C. that specializes in technical high-performance outerwear and equipment. We design and manufacture a wide range of mountain sports outdoor apparel and equipment for all conditions and experiences, including mountaineering, ice and rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and trail running. Our company is built on a passionate and relentless commitment to design, craftsmanship and performance. We have a unique construction process that enables us to create technical products that can be trusted to perform at the point of extreme need. We are uniquely positioned in our industry as we have our own factory located in New Westminster, BC, which enables us to build products with a meticulous focus on detail and performance. We leverage this manufacturing knowledge and share it with our global partner factories. In the Coast Mountain Range behind our headquarters and design centre in North Vancouver, we field test our products in real world conditions allowing us to create the best-fitting, longest-lasting, highest-performing technical products available. We distribute our outerwear and equipment through more than 3,000 retail locations worldwide, in over 40 countries globally, including 38 branded and outlet stores in Europe, North America and Asia. The company started with six employees in 1989 and now has more than 1000 employees in Canada.
