Brooks Running

Designer II, 3D Footwear Innovation

Brooks Running$104K — $156K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, 3D Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • Proficient in creating algorithmic modeling tools such as Grasshopper, Houdini, or Blender Geometry Nodes
  • 5+ years of experience in advanced 3D CAD modeling with complex surfacing
  • Expert proficiency in Rhino 3D and other surface modeling tools (such as Modo, Alias)
  • Strong visualization and rendering skills for compelling design presentations
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Deep empathy for athletes and their needs.

Responsibilities

  • Pioneer advanced 3D design from initial concepts to production.;
  • Master the blend of aesthetic and technical excellence in footwear design.
  • Dynamically scale workflow from rapid explorations to production-ready models.
  • Generate tooling geometry in Rhino 3D for prototyping with elite athletes.
  • Create photorealistic renderings to impactfully communicate design concepts.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to create breakthrough performance concepts.
  • Mentor junior designers, enhancing overall team capabilities.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life and AD&D insurance, along with disability insurance
  • Employer contributions to HSA and FSA
  • Generous paid time off, including three to five weeks and 11 holidays
  • 401K Savings Plan with employer matching
  • Annual performance-based bonuses
  • Employee discounts and fitness program discounts.
Full Job Description
Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That's why we're driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive - whether it's a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:
Runner First

We act in the best interest of the runner
Word is Bond

We do what we say we'll do
Champion Heart

We give our all in everything we do
There is no "I" in Run

We stay generous with our humanity
Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we're all moving towards something. Let's run there.

Your Job:

As a 3D Innovation Designer 2 on the Innovation & Elite Athlete Team, you will drive both art and science by creating what athletes need and want in their lives-a digital craftsperson who transforms visionary concepts into tangible reality.

You'll work with a fearless team at the leading edge of footwear creation, developing advanced 3D models that span from early-stage explorations to production-ready geometry. Your work directly influences how our most ambitious innovations come to life and how elite athletes achieve their fullest potential.

You will collaborate with Innovation Footwear Design, Computational Design, Run Research, Product Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering teams to create

breakthrough footwear concepts that redefine performance. Your 3D fluency, aesthetic sensibility, and technical mastery will be essential in translating complex biomechanical insights and radical design ideas into a crafted reality for our high-performance athletes.

This role demands someone who can scale seamlessly from rapid, iterative virtual and physical 3D explorations that spark new possibilities to high-quality models for prototyping. You understand how surface and contour contribute to human biomechanics, dynamic motion, and performance optimization. You think in 3D, create in 3D, and communicate through stunning visualizations that inspire teams and move concepts forward.

Your role here at Brooks Innovation is vital in our mission to be the most innovative and loved brand in running, where athletes trust us to deliver the tools that help them reach heights they once only dreamed of.

Your Responsibilites:
    • DESIGN & INNOVATION:
    • Pioneer advanced 3D design across concept, prototype, and production phases, pushing the limits of what's possible in footwear design.
    • Master aesthetic and technical excellence, blending digital sculpting prowess with highly controlled 3D modeling capabilities to create forms that are both beautiful and performance-driven.
    • Scale your workflow dynamically-move fluidly from quick, iterative explorations to high-fidelity, production-ready geometry based on project needs and timelines.
    • Generate production tooling geometry using Rhino 3D or other surface modeling environments, ensuring designs can be prototyped and tested with elite athletes.
    • Create photorealistic renderings that communicate design concepts and performance expression with impact.
    • TECHNICAL SKILLS:
    • Demonstrate 3D fluency across multiple paradigms, work confidently with NURBs, mesh, and other geometry typologies to solve complex design challenges. Parametric skills and methods are a bonus.
    • Navigate 3D interoperability with expertise, moving seamlessly between formats and software platforms based on project requirements.
    • Apply foundational knowledge of footwear construction: Understand methods of make, tooling processes, upper construction techniques, and how digital forms translate to physical products.
    • COLLABORATION & INFLUENCE:
    • Partner directly with Innovation Footwear Design and Computational Design team members to create breakthrough footwear concepts that advance performance.
    • Interface regularly with Run Research, Product Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering to ensure designs are grounded in performance science and manufacturing reality.
    • Present concepts and designs with clarity and conviction, inspiring cross-functional teams to embrace bold ideas.
    • Provide mentorship and guidance to Associate Designers and Designer 1 team members, elevating the entire team's capabilities.
    • ACCOUNTABILITY & EXECUTION:
    • Own your deadlines and deliver with excellence: Establish and manage timelines and autonomously ensure accurate completion of projects.
    • Travel as needed (approximately 10%) to Asia, Europe, trade shows, races, factory sites, or other locations that advance the work.
    • EXPLORATION & CONTINUOUS GROWTH:
    • Explore algorithmic modeling approaches such as Grasshopper, Houdini, Blender Geometry Nodes, and other computational design tools.
    • Experiment with animated forms to communicate advanced design expression and performance dynamics.
    • Identify and champion new methods for evolving our 3D workflows, continuously improving our capabilities and knowledge base.
    • Deepen your understanding of performance footwear construction, runner biomechanics, manufacturing processes, and design philosophy.
    • Conduct factory and supplier visits to gain firsthand insights into manufacturing processes and build relationships that inform better design decisions.


Qualifications:
    • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, 3D Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)
    • Proficient in creating algorithmic/computational modeling tools (Grasshopper, Houdini, Blender Geometry Nodes)
    • 5+ years of professional experience in advanced 3D CAD modeling with complex surfacing and organic geometry
    • Expert-level proficiency in Rhino 3D and other surface modeling tools (Modo, Alias, etc.)
    • Demonstrates a powerful blend of both aesthetic design sensibilities and technical modeling precision
    • Strong visualization and rendering skills to create compelling, photo-real representations of design concepts
    • Excellent communication and presentation skills
    • Strong collaboration skills and ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
    • Deep empathy for athletes and their needs


Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $104,217- $156,324 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Other:

Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!

Benefits - Including medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.

Paid Time Off - Brooks offers generous time off, including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, and paid sick and parental leave.

Bonus - In addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.

Perks - Including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Location- You will spend 3 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.

About Brooks Running

Brooks Running is a sporting goods company that specializes in running shoes and apparel. The company was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Brooks Running's mission is to inspire people to run and be active by creating innovative and high-quality products. The company has won numerous awards for its products and is a popular choice among runners of all levels.
Learn more about Brooks Running
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1914

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