Technical Developer- Footwear

Target Brands, Inc.

$73K — $132K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or certification in technical design, product design, industrial design, or related field, with equivalent practical experience considered
  • 5-8 years of footwear product development experience with a comprehensive understanding of the production timeline
  • Strong knowledge of footwear fit, construction, molds/blueprints, and lasts
  • Current knowledge of technical footwear development processes for man-made and genuine leather materials
  • Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office Suite, and PLM systems; 3D CAD experience is a plus
  • Attention to detail with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop guest-centric footwear products from concept to production
  • Partner with technical designers, merchandising, sourcing, and vendors to achieve product objectives
  • Maintain accurate specifications and approvals in the PLM system with overseas technical design teams
  • Communicate with internal and external partners to ensure high-quality execution
  • Perform fit evaluations on samples for quality and construction
  • Conduct technical research and quality analysis during the product development cycle
  • Lead market research to identify competitive insights and new product opportunities
  • Facilitate vendor training and onboarding to establish product standards

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, vision, and dental for eligible team members and dependents
  • 401(k) plans to help save for retirement
  • Employee discount programs
  • Short and long-term disability coverage
  • Paid sick leave and paid national holidays
  • Paid vacation to support work-life balance
Full Job Description
The pay range is $73,000.00 - $132,000.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

Technical Developer, Footwear

A role with the Footwear Development team means a big opportunity to start from scratch and create something truly original. Are you a footwear product development expert who can support your business by staying one step ahead of the industry? Can you demonstrate the utmost attention to detail and develop products that are unprecedented in the marketplace for their value? Then you'll have success on our Footwear Development team who owns the development of all Target-owned brands. In close partnership with our design, merchant and sourcing counterparts, you'll drive brand cohesion and continuity, ensuring that our products meet the merchant line plans, assortment strategies, price points and guest expectations.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with CFT to research and develop guest-focused Owned Brand product from concept through production


  • Partner with Sr. Technical Designer, Designer, Merchandising, Sourcing and Vendors to deliver on product objectives and business strategy while adhering to calendar timelines


  • In partnership with overseas technical design teams and vendors, create, maintain and complete accurate specifications and approvals in PLM system


  • Communicate daily with internal and external partners to ensure high-quality execution in materials, components, and fit


  • Perform fit evaluation on samples for fit, construction, and quality


  • Conduct in-cycle technical research, wear testing, quality analysis, innovation and product solutions


  • Partner proactively with overseas technical designers, production engineers and vendors to alleviate potential manufacturing, quality, and fit concerns within the product development cycle


  • Conduct market research of competitors, benchmarks, and new opportunities to engineer value and drive development of cost viable quality products.


  • Partner with guest insights and product testing teams to drive guest research and wear testing to build products that foster inclusivity


  • Support close to vendor and production teams by reviewing production issues and collaborating with CFT to resolve


  • Establish and enhance product development guidelines and standards by category and brand


  • Conduct vendor training, onboarding, assessments and accreditation


  • May include Travel internationally and domestically to support business


  • Hind-sighting on quality execution, guest feedback and partner connections with Quality Assurance team


  • Assist in building and maintaining last library


  • Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager
  • This role is performed 4 days/week in office from our Downtown MN campus. This role is not eligible for remote work.


About you:

  • Bachelor's degree, AA, or certification in technical design, product design, industrial design, or related field; equivalent hands-on experience in the footwear industry will also be considered.


  • 5-8 years' experience in footwear product development with Full knowledge of total production timeline


  • Strong knowledge of footwear fit, construction, molds/blueprints, and lasts


  • Current in industry standard technical knowledge of footwear development and manufacturing processes, in both man-made and genuine leather materials


  • Proficient in use of relevant computer applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office Suite, PLM system, 3D CAD experience is a plus)


  • Attention to detail, problem solving and decision-making skills


  • Drive to learn and retain new technology and software as it pertains to role


  • Strong multi-tasking ability while being detail oriented with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills


  • Ability to proactively trouble shoot and problem solve in a fast-paced, often changing, highly collaborative environment.


  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to effectively influence.


  • Committed to continuous learning, diversity, equity, and inclusion


Team Members in the Target General Merch Inc operating company are prohibited from working more than thirty (30) days per calendar year in any of the following states: AL, AR, DE, FL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MS, MO, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN and VA. If hired, you will be prohibited from working remotely from any of the states listed above for more than thirty (30) days per calendar year.

Benefits Eligibility
Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D

Application deadline is : 09/06/2026

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