About the Role
We are looking for a Footwear Developer with deep, hands-on expertise in technical footwear development and a performance footwear materials background to join our SITKA team. In this role, you will focus on product development, and maintain an elevated understanding of materials development for footwear; including uppers, linings, membranes, trims, and reinforcements, and how they integrate with lasts, constructions, and bottom units to achieve price and performance for each model. Most importantly, you know how to keep things moving—ensuring every decision pushes the product, the process, and the team forward.
The Footwear Developer should bring confidence when presenting solutions, curiosity when exploring new technologies, and be collaborative when working across internal teams and external partners. The developer will own the work end-to-end, from concept through commercialization, partnering closely with design, engineering, sourcing, and vendor partners to deliver full spectrum of footwear built for hunting, fishing, and rugged outdoor environments.
This role is located in Bozeman, Montana with the possiblility of a hybrid work arrangement. Relocation may be available for this role.
Responsibilities
- Guide footwear project development from concept through commercialization, ensuring performance, fit, durability, and manufacturability
- Ability to analyze design tech packs and prepare for factory deliverables
- Create, manage and maintain footwear BOM database for accurate and up to date product material accuracy
- Track and guide prototypes and samples, driving solutions to materialrelated challenges
- Drive footwear-specific materials development across uppers, linings, membranes, trims, and components, including seasonal material direction and palettes
- Work together with Design, Engineering, and Product Marketing to specify materials and components to meet performance, cost, margin, and sustainability targets
- Own footwear costing in partnership with sourcing and production manager, including cost modeling, negotiations, and margin trade-offs
- Manage vendor relationships across materials suppliers and factories; evaluate, onboard, and optimize the supply base
- Partner with planning and supply chain to ensure material readiness, capacity alignment, and on-time delivery
- Work in cooperation with Footwear Development Lead and Gore Engineers for testing of waterproof and weather-protective systems (e.g., GORE-TEX, membranes, seam sealing, coatings)
- Interpret lab and field-testing results and translate insights into material and construction decisions
- Manage timelines, risks, and cross-functional communication to deliver projects on schedule
- Ability to work independently and provide guidance to team through explanation of facts and timelines
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Product Development, Materials, Engineering, Chemistry, or related field OR an additional 3 years of experience in footwear and/or materials development
- Minimum 5 years of experience in footwear and/or materials development
- Strong understanding of footwear manufacturing, material processes, and waterproof constructions
- Proven experience in materials costing, vendor management, and supply planning
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills
- Comfortable working directly with overseas suppliers and factories
- Passion for outdoor, hunting, and fishing footwear performance
- Willingness to travel up to 15%
Desired Qualifications
- Experience working with GORE-TEX or similar waterproof/breathable systems
- Experience working in Centric or similar product management software in daily operations
What We Offer
Our success is based on the capability and creativity of our Associates, and we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards program that supports your everyday and helps you build your tomorrow.
We provide benefits that offer choice and flexibility and promote overall well-being. And in keeping with our belief that every Associate should share in the collective success of the enterprise; we provide a distinctive Associate Stock Ownership Plan in each country as well as potential opportunities for “profit-sharing”. Learn more at gore.com/careers/benefits
Gore is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, gender identity and expression, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
Gore is committed to a drug-free workplace. All employment is contingent upon successful completion of drug and background screening. Gore will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, e.g., arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws.
Gore requires all applicants to be eligible to work within the United States. Gore generally will not sponsor visas unless otherwise noted on the position description.
