Innovation Footwear Developer

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?

At the core of our brand is a drive to innovate - blending craftsmanship, comfort, and creativity to push what’s possible in premium footwear.

This role plays a pivotal part in transforming R&D / Innovation, and mainline tooling concepts into production-ready technical solutions.

You’ll leverage your technical expertise to refine design solutions, engineering methods, and mould concepts across both bottoms and uppers, shaping the future of our products.

THE GIG

The Innovation Footwear 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:

Tooling & Mould Development

• Execute new tooling and mould development across innovation and mainline projects.

• Coordinate design and technical revisions with Design teams and T1 factories

• Participate in mould trials and prototyping to validate tooling feasibility and performance.

CAD & System Development

• Create, review, and validate 2D/3D CAD for footwear systems including uppers, footbeds, midsoles, outsoles, and tooling interfaces.

• Translate design intent into manufacturable CAD data while maintaining performance and aesthetic integrity.

• Participate in CAD reviews with Design, product Development, and Mould Shop teams to ensure technical and functional accuracy.

Construction Engineering

• Develop, refine, and validate footwear constructions to balance design intent, performance, manufacturability, and cost-effective production.

Fit & Functional Validation

• Support design-led wear trials and be accountable for upper–bottom fit alignment.

• Optimise pattern, bottom geometry, and component configuration for comfort, stability, and durability.

• Support factories in implementing corrective actions based on fit and wear test results.

Cross-Functional & Supplier Collaboration

• Act as the technical bridge between Design, Development, Materials, and Mould Shop teams.

• Partner with mould shops and T1 factories to optimise tooling, processes, and production readiness.

• Identify and resolve bottom, tooling, and component feasibility risks early in development.

Industrialisation & GTM Readiness

• Ensure solutions are scalable, cost-effective, and aligned with the seasonal GTM calendar.

• Support smooth transfer from development into pilot and bulk production.

Documentation & Standards

• Maintain CAD drawings (Blueprint), tooling specifications, BOMs, and technical handover documentation.

• Contribute to building technical standards and knowledge-sharing across the organisation.

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Footwear Engineering, Materials Science or relevant subjects.

• At least 6 years of hands-on experience in footwear tooling engineering, bottom mould development, or manufacturing engineering, gained through branded environments, factories, or mould shops.

• Experience with footwear tooling technologies, such as multi-density moulding, dual-injection, direct moulding, or cemented/assembly construction systems.

• Strong understanding of mould and tooling construction, bottom geometry, and last–upper–bottom fit, supported by solid knowledge of footwear manufacturing processes.

• Interest and experience in innovative and sustainable materials, including new compounds and next-generation manufacturing methods.

• Confidence in managing timelines, sample rounds, and production risk in fast-moving seasonal environments.

• Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD systems (e.g., Rhino, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pro/Engineer, Illustrator or similar).

• Familiarity with footwear testing protocols and performance validation methods.

• Strong technical problem-solving skills, supported by knowledge of sole systems (midsole/outsole), materials, processes, and industrialisation requirements.

• Ability to operate within GTM calendars, critical paths, and multiple parallel projects.

• Fluent in written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate clearly across cross-functional and international teams.

• Willingness to travel regionally (Asia-based factories and suppliers) as required.

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