About the Role
Specialized is looking for a Footwear QA Specialist to join our Footwear team and support the delivery of world-class cycling products. This role plays a key part in ensuring that footwear products meet Specialized's quality, fit, performance, and manufacturing standards from commercialization through mass production.
The position will work closely with the engineering team and factory teams to identify potential quality risks, validate production readiness, and drive continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing process.
This role will be based full-time at our manufacturing partner's facility in Thai Binh Province, Vietnam, with regular collaboration with global and regional teams.
How You will Make a Difference
Support footwear commercialization activities from Tech II through Tech IV, ensuring products are developed and prepared for successful mass production.
Work closely with factory technical and quality teams to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve product and manufacturing issues.
Review fit and wear test results and follow up on corrective actions as required.
Monitor production readiness, including material approvals, laboratory testing results, bonding performance, and production trial outcomes.
Verify that production processes, materials, and finished products align with approved specifications and quality standards.
Conduct in-line quality audits and inspections during production.
Perform final inspections prior to shipment to ensure product quality and compliance with Specialized requirements.
Maintain accurate quality records, inspection reports, and supporting documentation.
Partner with factory teams to drive continuous improvement in product quality, manufacturing consistency, and process control.
Escalate quality concerns proactively and support root cause investigation and corrective action implementation.
What You will Need to Win
Bachelor’s degree in engineering is highly preferable
3+ years of experience in footwear quality assurance, manufacturing, commercialization, or a related field.
Strong understanding of footwear construction, manufacturing processes, and product quality standards.
Experience working directly with footwear factories and cross-functional production teams.
Familiarity with laboratory testing, product validation, and quality control methodologies.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
Good communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to work independently and influence factory partners to achieve quality objectives.
English communication skills sufficient for working with international teams.
Here at Specialized we believe that bikes have the power to change lives for the better. We are a culture of barrier-breakers, but we need your unique ideas and backgrounds to help us push boundaries and change the world. We are always looking for creative, innovative, and passionate people who can contribute to our mission of getting people outside. Regardless of your qualifications, if you think this could be you and you're ready to make a difference, please apply! We hope that you will reach out and show us how you can make an impact here.
Skills Required
- 3-5+ years in footwear QA, manufacturing, or commercialization
- Experience in in-line inspection, final inspection, and lab testing coordination (materials, bonding, performance)
- Solid understanding of footwear construction, factory production workflows, and commercialization process
- Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis (RCA) and issue follow-up
- Good English communication skills for collaborating with factory teams and internal stakeholders
- Willingness to work hands-on at factories (on-site)
- Bachelor's degree in engineering
- Exposure to performance footwear or technical products
Specialized Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Specialized and has not been reviewed or approved by Specialized.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with Fidelity offers up to $5,000 in annual employer matching with immediate vesting, and the company covers plan administrative fees for active employees. This provides strong retirement support within the total package.
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Parental & Family Support — Published materials describe 6–8 weeks at 100% pay for birthing recovery and 8 weeks of fully paid parental bonding, alongside fertility benefits and adoption assistance. Some materials indicate certain roles or locations may offer even longer fully paid leave.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Cycling‑centric perks include substantial gear discounts, race entry fee support, on‑site fitness options, healthy on‑site meals, an employee bike service center, and a dog‑friendly HQ. These benefits can meaningfully enhance day‑to‑day experience for those who value the cycling culture.
Specialized Insights
What We Do
Founded on the principle of performance and fueled by innovation, our focus on the rider and their needs is our constant. From seasoned pros and weekend warriors, to kids and commuters—if you ride, we’re for you. The passion we have for sharing our love of bikes with the world can be seen in those who choose to work here. Headquartered in Morgan Hill, CA, the passionate and creative teammates at Specialized have designed and manufactured the world's most innovative bikes and gear since 1974. Are you ready to join our team and help pedal the planet forward?
