Expert Designer, Energy - HOKA Footwear

Deckers Brands•Portland, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Expert Designer – Energy Footwear at HOKA, you will be a creative force, leading the design of innovative, future-facing performance and lifestyle footwear. You’ll drive collaborations, shape brand-defining stories, and elevate HOKA’s presence in the marketplace. Your entrepreneurial spirit and independent mindset will connect people, ideas, and processes, bringing clarity and momentum from concept to final product. You’ll be at the forefront of bold, disruptive design, amplifying creativity and unlocking new dimensions of innovation. We celebrate diversity--of your background, your experiences and your unique identity. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and equitable workplace where all of our employees can Come as They Are. We believe that when we bring our different perspectives to work, we are truly Better Together.

Requirements

Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Interaction Design, or a related field
Bring 8+ years of experience in footwear design
Possess advanced understanding of footwear material, construction, and process (Tooling + Upper)
Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Miro or Lucid
Demonstrate expertise in leading generative AI platforms (e.g., Midjourney, Vizcom, etc.)
Exhibit strong leadership and communication skills, with a track record of building and mentoring creative environments
Have a portfolio showcasing both creative excellence and technical innovation in digital design

Responsibilities

Lead design of Energy category priority projects, including high-profile collaborations and brand-first stories
Manage the transition from Energy to Inline, delivering strategic design paths from pinnacle incubation to commercial scale
Contribute to design strategy, category constructs, and HOKA’s creative vision
Design forward-thinking performance and lifestyle footwear that blends fashion, function, and HOKA’s design DNA
Translate external partner input, brand priorities, and consumer insights into compelling concepts and product solutions
Explore new materials, constructions, and aesthetics to bring meaningful newness to footwear
Create inspiring, memorable design stories and develop accurate illustrations, 2D drawings, renderings, and tech packs
Act as a role model and mentor for junior designers, guiding project execution and cross-functional collaboration
Lead product franchise vision and manage execution across multiple designers
Set style and color direction for projects and categories, contributing to seasonal inspiration and presenting key insights internally and externally
Work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve bold goals and mentor the design team in consumer understanding
Attend seasonal kickoffs, design travel, and assist in travel/inspiration planning