About the job
Martens is a globally recognisable and culturally influential British brand, with 65 years of rich heritage, rooted in craftmanship. As brand custodians, we are lucky to work for a dynamic, thriving, and ethical business, with people from diverse backgrounds, who bring their true selves to work, and where anyone can grow their career.
We are guided by three core values that are at the heart of everything we do: be yourself, act courageously, and show you care. They make us who we are and inspire us to push boundaries, embrace our individuality, and stand up for what&039;s right.
SO, WHAT&039;S THE STORY?
You’ll leverage your technical expertise to refine design solutions, engineering methods, and mould concepts across both bottoms and uppers, shaping the future of our products.
This role plays a pivotal part in transforming R&D / Innovation, and mainline tooling concepts into production- ready technical solutions.
At the core of our brand is a drive to innovate- blending craftsmanship, comfort, and creativity to push what’s possible in premium footwear.
THE GIG
The Innovation Footwear Developer is responsible for assessing, developing, and executing technical footwear solutions across CAD, bottom systems, and construction validation to deliver production- ready, scalable outcomes aligned to manufacturing and the seasonal calendar.
Key responsibilities include:
Tooling & Mould Development
• Coordinate design and technical revisions with Design teams and T1 factories
• Participate in mould trials and prototyping to validate tooling feasibility and performance.
• Execute new tooling and mould development across innovation and mainline projects.
CAD & System Development
• Translate design intent into manufacturable CAD data while maintaining performance and aesthetic integrity.
• Create, review, and validate 2D/3D CAD for footwear systems including uppers, footbeds, midsoles, outsoles, and tooling interfaces.
• Participate in CAD reviews with Design, product Development, and Mould Shop teams to ensure technical and functional accuracy.
Construction Engineering
• Develop, refine, and validate footwear constructions to balance design intent, performance, manufacturability, and cost- effective production.
Fit & Functional Validation
• Optimise pattern, bottom geometry, and component configuration for comfort, stability, and durability.
• Support design- led wear trials and be accountable for upper–bottom fit alignment.
• Support factories in implementing corrective actions based on fit and wear test results.
Cross- Functional & Supplier Collaboration
• Partner with mould shops and T1 factories to optimise tooling, processes, and production readiness.
• Act as the technical bridge between Design, Development, Materials, and Mould Shop teams.
• Identify and resolve bottom, tooling, and component feasibility risks early in development.
Industrialisation & GTM Readiness
• Support smooth transfer from development into pilot and bulk production.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, cost- effective, and aligned with the seasonal GTM calendar.
Documentation & Standards
• Contribute to building technical standards and knowledge- sharing across the organisation.
• Maintain CAD drawings (Blueprint), tooling specifications, BOMs, and technical handover documentation.
