Materials Design Apprentice - Footwear

Who We Are: 

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

The New Balance design team is a closely connected global community united by a common pursuit of setting the standard for product quality, this our legacy to uphold through a balance of innovation and craftsmanship.

The NB Apprenticeship serves as a talent pipeline, with a mission to provide the future of our industry with firsthand industry experiences and an environment to develop professionally while honing their craft.

The Role.

You will be an instrumental part of the global design community and your category team. This role focuses on Materials Design across footwear. You will experience, learn and contribute to all aspects of our culture and the design process (including but not limited to research, ideation, designing and assisting design, presentations, gathering feedback, tech packs, reviews, revising and refining projects). You will be part of the apprentice community attending learning capsules, expanding your technical and soft skills and creating a personal project that will showcase your skills.

Key Partners.

Global Design and Category Product (Design, Product Management, Development) and Apprentice team.

Requirements for Success:

• Understanding of material design, including knits, wovens, non-wovens, leather, and synthetics. Familiarity with post-processing techniques is a plus.

• Collaborative individual that seeks out, navigates and actions feedback with ease.

• Action oriented individual with ability to track key dates and deliverables.

• Team player that takes on any task no matter how big or small.

• Obsesses product details that meet brand quality standards and consider environmental impact.

• High level of taste with ability creating original concepts that exude NB quality and craftsmanship.

• Passion for sport and culture.

• Awareness of the trend, culture and design landscape.

• Brings curiosity and a commitment to continually learning, growing and refining skill set.

• Ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations to different audiences.

• Motivated self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit.

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, is mandatory; you are required to learn prior to start date.

• Experience in 3D a plus, you will be required to bring a strong desire to learn.

• Strong Communication and Storytelling skills (visual and verbal)

• Bachelor’s degree in Material Design, Textile Design, Product Design, or a related field.

Requirements: Office

• You will be based in one our Lawrence MA headquarters, travel to Brighton HQ will be required on occasion.

• This is a hybrid position - we are in office three days a week, Tues Wed and Thursday.

Lawrence, MA Corp Only Pay Range: $24.40 - $30.50 - $36.60 Hourly (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Regular Associate Benefits 

Our products are only as good as the people we hire, so we make sure to hire the best and treat them accordingly. New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K. We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally. You’ll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword – it’s part of our culture.

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