Senior Specialist - Footwear Design

We are excited to offer the position of Senior Specialist - Footwear Design Performance with a focus on trail within our Design team. You will work in a very fast-moving environment where you will be involved in the full design process of footwear creation starting from concept research to product briefings for production. To excel in this role you need a strong background in product design, paired with a passion for trail running and excellent understanding of runner’s needs and preferences.

You will be working at the intersection of technology, sport-science and data‑driven insights while pushing the boundaries of performance‑oriented footwear.

• You will be an integral part of the Performance Footwear team.
• You will own your projects from initial ideation, to design concepts, up to final delivery for commercialization.
• You will build the foundation of your project through thorough research and challenge the status quo of the industry with meaningful disruption.
• You will work on developing concepts, mock‑ups, visuals, 2D and 3D files for new projects.
• You will collaborate with our Zurich and Vietnam based development team on creating highly functional and performance‑driven products.
• You will travel to Vietnam two to four times a year to finalise your prototypes on location with our factory partners and Vietnam development centers.
• You will collaborate with sports engineering and testing teams to develop innovative running footwear concepts that align with ON’s brand identity and performance standards.
• You will contribute to co‑create and sharpen On’s design vision and creative process.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design or related field.
• Proven experience in product design (3+ years), preferably in the running or sportswear industry.
• A passion for trail running and an understanding of runner’s needs and preferences is definitively a plus.
• You have an innovative mind with a strong drive to pushing the boundaries of footwear design and footwear manufacturing.
• You have strong sketching and expert skills in Adobe creative Suite as well as skills in Maya, Zbrush, or similar platforms. Knowledge of AI tools is a plus.
• Understanding of industrial manufacturing processes.
• Hands‑on approach in building physical mock‑ups and proof‑of‑concept prototypes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. You are fluent in English both written and spoken.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced, creative environment within a cross‑functional product creation team.

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team‑oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self‑care for both physical and mental well‑being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.