Senior Specialist - Sports Engineer

In short

Join On's Innovation team as a Senior Specialist - Sports Engineering. You will drive cutting‑edge advancements in sports performance by merging deep scientific understanding with advanced engineering principles. This role is centered on developing revolutionary bottom‑unit systems through utilisation of emerging technologies. You’ll be pivotal in translating scientific insights into groundbreaking product innovations, pushing the boundaries of athletic performance.

Your mission is to safeguard consistency, performance and steady innovation of the company's proprietary bottom‑unit technologies across the performance product portfolio. By using your interdisciplinary engineering know‑how you come up with new concepts to break performance boundaries and unleash new running experiences.
Through continuous innovation, you will especially focus on pushing the boundaries in the area of structural cushioning and propulsion systems by combining the latest insights from our Sports Science team with emerging technologies and novel materials. As we interpret innovation as a horizontal approach you will support cross‑functionally and provide engineering expertise throughout the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to market launch.

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Sports Engineering or a related field with 5 to 8 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Innovation & Problem‑Solving: A track record of developing disruptive solutions and applying creative thinking to technical challenges.
• Adaptability:
  Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, agile, and flexible environment with a high degree of autonomy. You are able to work independently towards a deadline on several projects simultaneously.
• Communication and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with interdisciplinary teams and external partners. Experience working in a cross‑functional team between engineers, designers, sports scientists, product experts and cross‑functional non‑product creation partners. The ability to translate complex ideas and data into formats that others can understand is essential.
• Innovation Mindset:
  You have an innovative mind with a strong drive for pushing the boundaries of footwear creation. You have the ability to connect the dots between different disciplines, processes and technologies.
• Project Management:
  Managing a portfolio of complex, interdependent projects from ideation to completion.
• Hands‑on Mentality:
  Eagerness and ability to work directly with prototypes, machinery, and lab equipment.
• An understanding of materials, mechanical and functional testing.
• An understanding of Finite Element Modelling (FEA) and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and their role in the product creation process.
• Footwear Industry experience is preferred.

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.