Footwear Technical Developer (Hanoi)

About the job

Dr. Martens is a globally recognisable and culturally influential British brand, with 65 years of rich heritage, rooted in craftmanship. As brand custodians, we are lucky to work for a dynamic, thriving, and ethical business, with people from diverse backgrounds, who bring their true selves to work, and where anyone can grow their career.

We are guided by three core values that are at the heart of everything we do: be yourself, act courageously, and show you care. They make us who we are and inspire us to push boundaries, embrace our individuality, and stand up for what's right.

SO, WHAT'S THE STORY?

Join the Technical Development team to bring footwear concepts to life by translating design and development intent into production-ready samples. Based in one or more of our partner factories, you will work on-site to bridge Product Development and Commercialisation, ensuring samples are built with manufacturing realism, scalability, and profitability in mind. You will also support Collaboration projects and new construction research that help evolve the brand’s product and process capabilities.

Be part of a fast-paced technical team that delivers high-quality, cost-effective samples on time to meet seasonal calendars, while driving continuous improvements in construction, testing, materials, and manufacturing processes. You will work closely with Product Development team to fully understand design intent and aesthetic requirements, then apply your manufacturing expertise to deliver technical solutions across our existing supply chain.

THE GIG

The Technical Developer is responsible for assessing, developing, and executing technical footwear solutions across CAD, bottom systems, and construction validation to deliver production-ready, scalable outcomes aligned to manufacturing and the seasonal calendar.

Key responsibilities include:

Footwear Development

• Lead sample development in offshore factories, giving hands-on support for construction, patterns, tooling, and cost-efficient builds.

• Turn design concepts into production-ready footwear that can be scaled for bulk.

• Validated and confirmed constructional materials to ensure suitability for specific build methods.

• Lead and participate in factory DD meetings, providing technical direction and driving alignment on timelines, build methods, and manufacturability.

• Validate constructional material in BOMs with accuracy and completeness.

Product Testing & Evaluation

• Support fit, wear trial, and performance tests to ensure comfort, durability, and quality.

• Review lasts, patterns, and constructions, recommending practical improvements.

• Confirmed sole fit across last and bottom combinations to ensure correct geometry.

• Assess half-opened uppers to evaluate trimming quality and component attachment methods.

• Identified early risks with Product Development and documented key risk assessments.

• Collaborated with Compliance team to assess functional risk areas, conduct pre–due diligence testing, and drive resolution of failed items with T1 partners.

• Conducted pre-shipment sample reviews to ensure full compliance with the BOM prior to distribution to cross-regional teams.

Material Analysis

• Assess uppers, linings, reinforcements, outsoles, and functional materials for performance and production readiness.

• Partner with Materials teams to explore new, sustainable, and innovative options.

• Help establish and maintain commercial standards across development and production.

• Support suppliers to improve technical capability and innovation.

• Validate functional material (e.g., backer, reinforcement) and drive consolidation across styles and T1 suppliers.

• Identify material-related risks and opportunities, providing recommendations that balanced cost, performance, and manufacturability.

• Develop technical manuals for key functional areas (e.g., strap attachment).

Validated material suitability for specific constructions (e.g., blocking).

Footwear Engineering

• Drive process standardisation by developing, implementing, and maintaining footwear manufacturing SOPs.

• Validated takt time during proto stages and assessed production readiness for new and carryover styles.

• Lead engineering readiness for new styles, ensuring factories are capable of delivering consistent, scalable quality.

• Review factory machinery and tooling to ensure production capability.

• Drive continuous process and cost improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject preferred.

• Min. 5 years of experience in working with Asian footwear suppliers or within a footwear brand environment.

• Technically competent in shoemaking with extensive knowledge of footwear and accessory constructions, materials and their application and manufacture.

• Experienced in footwear and accessory environment with knowledge of product development, costing, bulk manufacture.

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), and database management

• Effective time management and project management skills with an attention to detail.

• Excellent spoken and written English, fluency in Chinese will be an advantage

• Demonstrate strong communication skills (verbal and written) to enable clear detailed communication.

• Good organisation skills and meticulous filing awareness to enable smooth sharing of information.

• Ability to prioritise workload and follow seasonal sample making schedules that run simultaneously thought the year.

• Right to work in Vietnam without a work visa sponsorship.