In short

As a Senior Specialist - Upper Concept Designer, you will drive groundbreaking footwear upper innovations. You will be helping us to continue pushing the boundaries of material design and upper engineering to shape the future of performance footwear. Collaborating with cross-functional teams and industry-leading partners, you’ll translate visionary concepts into real-world performance breakthroughs, elevating both product experience and athletic potential.

Your Mission

• Design and craft uppers and materials that seamlessly blend form and function, defining a unique design language that fuses aesthetic storytelling with technical innovation
• Drive upper and material innovation from concept to execution, integrating cutting-edge materials, construction techniques, and performance-driven designs.
• Develop and prototype new upper constructions and materials, leveraging expertise in textiles, footwear making, and material science to redefine upper engineering through making, sampling and fearless experimentation.
• Scout and integrate emerging materials, processes, and technologies, staying ahead of industry trends and sustainability advancements.
• Work closely with suppliers, research institutes, and material technology experts in weaving, knitting, and textile development to turn breakthrough concepts into scalable products.
• Create precise tech packs and utilize digital tools (CAD, Adobe Illustrator etc.) to effectively communicate design intent internally and to external partners.
• Work cross-functionally with Design, Materials, Development, Sport Science, and Sustainability teams, aligning innovation with On’s product vision.
• Be a proactive self-starter, thriving in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects with strong prioritization and execution skills

Your story

• BSc/MSc in material design, product/footwear design or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 5 + years experience as a materials designer, product designer or developer in the performance footwear industry or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Affinity for product design and technology, particularly in the technical performance category, with an eye for aesthetics and key awareness of trends both in and out of the industry.
• Highly creative problem solver that thrives in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects with strong prioritization and execution skills.
• Advance textile construction and manufacturing knowledge, optimizing stitches, structures and raw materials for peak functionality.
• Footwear Construction Knowledge: Understanding of shoe anatomy, various shoemaking processes and the ability to adapt and engineer pattern and processes to achieve the desired outcome.
• Ability to create detailed tech packs to communicate design intent effectively with partners.Knowledge of textile-specific design software, such as CAD tools and Adobe suite.
• Experience in working and communicating with manufacturing partners
• Experience in IP and patent protection within the R&D space.
• Ability to work autonomously parallel to cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong communication skills (verbal & written) as well as the ability to communicate across all levels of the organization and to manage several projects in various stages
• Skilled in dealing with change and bring an entrepreneurial spirit when facing unexpected challenges.

The difference is in the detail. So we push boundaries. Mark those marginal gains. All in pursuit of designing ever better looking products. That’s what we do – what’s best today, can be improved tomorrow.

Zürich

Just by the banks of the Limmat you’ll find our largest global hub in Zürich West – On Labs – where you can hike up 12 floors through our custom-built spiral trail.

Förrlibuckstrasse 190,