Senior Material Designer - Footwear

Description & Requirements

who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in.

As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

about this team

As a world class design team, we are at the forefront of the industry in creating transformative products and experiences for our guests. We establish the Footwear Creative Direction for our brand. Through a deep understanding of guests needs, cultural references and science of feel solutions, we create innovative products that address our guests' unmet needs. We drive excellence by establishing a strong connection between design, innovation and raw materials.

We create products distinguished by their silhouettes, fit, function and style. Our team works collaboratively between the color design, material design, footwear design and 3D design functions. We are dedicated to cultivating a culture of continuous learning and growth, where Designers are empowered to push boundaries and unleash their full potential.

a day in the life

The Senior Material Designer - Footwear plays a critical role in shaping the creative and strategic direction of footwear materials across performance and lifestyle product. This role balances hands-on material creation with strategic thinking and strong cross-functional partnership.

• Contribute to the footwear material vision by translating cultural, aesthetic, and global insights into functional, performance-driven material solutions aligned with brand and business strategy.
• Design and develop cohesive seasonal material stories that elevate product experience, leveraging lululemon's apparel material excellence.
• Partner closely with design and development to bring material concepts to life from ideation through commercialization.
• Research, prototype and experiment with new material constructions, finishes, and applications to drive innovation and future-forward solutions.
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of global material trends, performance insights, tools and technologies relevant to footwear, and proactively share key learnings with teammates to inform seasonal direction and material strategy.
• Clearly articulate design intent through visual storytelling, material concepts, visualization tools and detailed tech packs to support development and production timelines.
• Manage multiple projects across overlapping seasons, owning deliverables and milestones to support GTM calendars.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with global suppliers and internal partners to advance material quality, performance and execution.
• Mentor junior designers through informal guidance, feedback and knowledge sharing, supporting team growth and creative excellence.
• Brings a hands-on, solution-oriented approach with strong curiosity and a proactive mindset, grounded in knowledge of materials, material technologies and processes.
• Collaborates effectively across teams, openly gives and receives feedback, and uses physical making to drive momentum, alignment and shared outcomes.

qualifications

• Has 8+ years of industry experience in footwear material or textile design
• Holds a BA, BFA or BS in Design, Materials or Textile Design (or equivalent)
• Is a footwear materials and textile specialist with strong performance product knowledge
• Is proficient in Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Maintains a portfolio that demonstrates material design process
• Point of View - Energized to move the industry and brand forward; pushes visual and technical capabilities and embraces failure as part of innovation
• Design Skills - Demonstrates strong design capabilities with a proven ability to ideate, design and apply functional materials that express lululemon's brand, performance and aesthetic point of view.
• Innovative Thinking - Explores new materials, processes, and approaches that advance product creation and guest experience.
• Research and Synthesize - Understands global markets and translates trends and consumer insights into brand-aligned material solutions.
• Team Building & Collaboration - Fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose in an environment where team members feel valued and contribute ideas.
• Project Management - Manages multiple priorities, timelines and deliverables across overlapping seasons.

must haves

• Acknowledge the presence of choice in every moment and take personal responsibility for your life.
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovate to achieve great results.
• Communicate with honesty and kindness and…