Lead - Pattern Engineer

In short

At On, the perfect fit is engineered, not guessed. We are looking for a highly skilled Pattern Engineer to elevate our footwear uppers by establishing robust pattern standards and bringing our innovative designs to life.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between 2D concepts and 3D realities, working closely with Design, Development, Last Engineering, and Manufacturing. You will champion best practices and precise engineering, ensuring our inline footwear collections deliver the exact fit, performance, and quality our global community expects.

Your Mission

• Pattern Standards & Development: Develop, establish, and implement comprehensive pattern standards for inline footwear, outlining best practices, construction methods, and strict quality benchmarks.
• Pattern & Last Synergy: Collaborate deeply with the Last Engineering team to ensure upper patterns and footwear lasts complement each other perfectly, optimizing designs for mass production without compromising comfort or aesthetic goals.
• Prototype Refinement: Lead the transition from digital design to physical sample. Oversee the prototype refinement process, addressing fit, construction, or performance concerns, and feeding those solutions back into our standard practices.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Inline Product Designers, Upper Engineers, and Manufacturing teams. Guide them on adhering to standards while ensuring production feasibility and aligning with the overall design vision.
• Documentation & Training: Create clear, comprehensive documentation outlining pattern standards. Conduct training sessions to educate internal teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and precise execution.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess inline footwear patterns against established standards. Proactively research and incorporate industry advancements, new construction methods, and software capabilities to elevate our product.
• Sustainable Pattern Engineering: Champion On’s sustainability goals by optimizing pattern nesting, material yield, and cutting efficiency to minimize waste. Leverage your deep understanding of sustainable and innovative materials to anticipate how they impact pattern behavior during the manufacturing process.
• Mentorship & Strategic Leadership: Lead, mentor, and elevate creation teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

Your Story

• Pattern Engineering Experience: 8+ years of proven, hands-on experience in footwear pattern engineering, demonstrating successful integration of pattern standards into the product development process.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in 2D and 3D pattern-making software/CAD tools (e.g., Romans CAD, Dimension, Jevero, MindCAD).
• Material & Construction Knowledge: Deep understanding of footwear upper materials, textiles, and modern construction techniques relevant to performance and lifestyle footwear.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex fit, comfort, and manufacturability challenges within standardized patterns.
• Attention to Detail: A meticulous, detail-oriented mindset with an unwavering commitment to precision and quality in pattern execution.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to promote collaboration, educate team members, and translate technical constraints to creative design teams.
• Global Factory Collaboration: Proven track record of collaborating closely with Tier 1 (T1) development facilities and overseas manufacturing partners. Must possess strong cross-cultural communication skills and a willingness to travel internationally to oversee sampling, troubleshoot complex technical issues on the factory floor, and ensure seamless commercialization.

About the team The Footwear Engineering team is a highly specialized collective of Pattern Engineers, Tooling Engineers, and Last Engineers who hold the keys to the ultimate fit, feel, and ride of every On shoe. Rooted in our proud heritage of meticulous Swiss engineering, we obsess over every millimeter and material to craft the absolute best performance products for elite athletes and everyday consumers alike. We are the critical bridge between radical design and physical reality, working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where data-driven precision fuels our relentless dedication to human movement.

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically – to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self-care for both physical and mental well-being, so each person is led by purpose.

On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination.