Manager, Footwear Engineering

About the role

The Manager, Footwear Engineering will own the end-to-end evaluation and optimization of fit, comfort, and performance for Rothy's footwear portfolio. This role translates complex consumer feedback, wear-test data, and technical findings into clear, actionable product recommendations that directly improve commercialization outcomes. You will design and implement scalable testing approaches that keep pace with volume while preserving scientific rigor and relevance. You will act as a technical thought partner, bridging the gap between data insights and real-world product decisions. You will ensure that every new silhouette and material change is grounded in consumer truth and aligned with brand standards. This position requires proactive problem-solving in a fast-moving, sustainability-focused environment. You will collaborate closely with design, product development, and factory teams to embed insights into every phase of creation. Ultimately, you will drive product readiness and long-term category growth through disciplined testing and clear storytelling.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Create and implement a streamlined, scalable approach for leveraging quantitative and qualitative consumer data to inform product development, fit decisions, and commercialization strategies.
• Synthesize wear test results, lab testing, and consumer feedback into clear, actionable insights that influence product, fit standards, and future development direction.
• Establish and continuously improve best-in-class product testing methodologies for existing styles, new silhouettes, and emerging categories, with a focus on knit footwear.
• Explore and implement alternative testing methods to support an increasing volume of tests each season while maintaining rigor and relevance.
• Partner with Product Development and Design teams to identify opportunities to refine and enhance the existing assortment through fact-based product insights.
• Analyze primary and secondary research to inform fit improvements, material choices, construction updates, and commercialization readiness.
• Prioritize key fit, wear, and performance risks to ensure a smooth and timely transition from development into production.
• Act as a technical partner during commercialization, ensuring product readiness aligns with consumer expectations and brand standards.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing to translate consumer insights, testing results, and product benefits into compelling, authentic product stories.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to understand research needs and define clear wear test objectives, success criteria, timelines, and deliverables.
• Leverage consumer insights, market research, and analytics to identify growth opportunities and support broader brand and product initiatives.
• Strategically recruit, manage, and grow relationships with internal and external wear test participants, including core consumers and target segments.
• Build and maintain connections with key brand advocates and influencers in local and high-growth markets to support testing and insight generation.
• Build, document, and maintain official wear testing protocols for internal and external groups, ensuring consistency, quality, and scalability.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with Asia-based factory partners, sharing key consumer insights, testing outcomes, and product learnings.
• Ensure factory teams are informed and aligned on fit, wear, and performance expectations to support future development and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• You are highly analytical with a strong ability to translate data into practical product decisions.
• You are comfortable operating at the intersection of consumer insight, technical evaluation, and product development.
• You are a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• You are collaborative and effective at working across technical, creative, and commercial teams.
• You communicate clearly, structured, and persuasively in both written and verbal formats.
• You are detail-oriented with strong organizational and follow-through skills.
• You are curious, consumer-obsessed, and motivated to improve product experiences.
• You establish proactive and consistent communication and feedback with your team.
• You provide continuous feedback to your team and individual development, and hold everyone accountable for performance and growth.
• You manage your time and priorities effectively in a matrixed organization.
• You have a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.
• You bring a bias toward action, balancing speed with thoughtful analysis.
• You have experience working with knit footwear products and understanding their unique construction challenges.
• You are comfortable working with both qualitative narratives and quantitative datasets to form conclusions.
• You have strong written and verbal communication skills to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• You demonstrate ownership and accountability for outcomes, even in ambiguous situations.
• You are able to translate technical product constraints into clear guidance for commercial teams.
• You partner effectively with factory teams to ensure alignment on quality and performance standards.

Nice to have

• Experience developing and maintaining testing protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Background in apparel or footwear product development and commercialization.
• Familiarity with knit footwear manufacturing processes and materials.
• Experience working with cross-functional, matrixed teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated success managing consumer insight programs and panel recruitment.
• Comfort with quantitative analysis and data visualization to support decision-making.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices and materials within the footwear industry.
• Experience presenting insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

Practical notes

This role is based in San Francisco and requires regular in-person presence at the office and factory locations. Travel may be required up to 25% of the time for testing, partner meetings, and industry events. You must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship for this position. The successful candidate will engage closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to align on priorities, timelines, and deliverables.