Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

Runner First
- We act in the best interest of the runner
Word is Bond
- We do what we say we’ll do
Champion Heart
- We give our all in everything we do
There is no “I” in Run
- We stay generous with our humanity
Keep Moving
- We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

Your Job:

As a Senior Materials Engineer, Footwear Innovation, you will be responsible for developing, testing, and validating the materials used in footwear product innovation to ensure they meet performance, durability, and quality standards. This role combines hands-on laboratory testing with material development, focusing on analyzing materials such as foams, plates, rubber, and other plastic materials, and translating test results into actionable improvements. You will demonstrate curiosity by evaluating the data and forming a hypothesis, identifying failure modes, and seeking ways to improve the testing methods and material properties and relaying these conclusions to the product team. You’ll work cross-functionally within Brooks and externally with our partners to select materials to deliver on the short- and long-term innovation goals. With responsibility for collecting and managing testing data on Innovation materials, it is crucial to have strong organizational skills with great communication skills to be able to disseminate key learnings to all our partners.

As an integral part of the Materials Science Engineering team, you will also focus on core material innovations individually or as part of a project team. Outside of the lab, your role will scout for new materials and participate in the innovation creation for the Brand.

### Your Responsibilities:

MATERIALS RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Advance footwear material innovation by conducting research and testing on materials used in footwear (e.g., EVA, TPU, rubber, PU, textiles) to meet performance targets

Stay current with new materials, technologies, and testing methods in the footwear industry

Identify opportunities to improve material performance, sustainability, and cost efficiency

Contribute to innovation initiatives across cushioning, outsole durability, and upper material systems

Maintain and continuously improve data systems to support traceability, analysis, and continuous improvement

MATERIALS TESTING & ANALYSIS

Design and execute material testing protocols (mechanical, physical, and chemical) to evaluate performance characteristics such as durability, strength, rebound, abrasion, and wear resistance

Analyze test data and provide clear recommendations to support material selection, product development, and performance improvements

Develop and standardize test methods, SOPs, and acceptance criteria

Support material selection decisions based on testing results, manufacturability, and sustainability considerations

Ensure materials meet quality, regulatory, and performance standards prior to commercialization

Interpret lab and wear-test results and prepare technical reports and documentation

Troubleshoot issues related to molding, foaming, bonding, and assembly processes

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIP

Work directly with our factory labs and external testing facilities to ensure consistency in our testing and data collection protocols

Collaborate with R&D teams to develop and optimize new materials and compounds

Partner with factories and suppliers (T1/T2) to implement materials into production and ensure feedback is delivered to them to make adequate adjustments

Partner cross-functionally with the Run Research team and computer modeling team to connect the dots between a raw material and the runner experience.

### Your Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field or equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience.

5+ years of experience in Materials testing and analysis in the polymers and elastomers industry with preferences to foams and rubbers.

Strong knowledge of material properties and testing methodologies (e.g., tensile, hardness, abrasion, compression)

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions

Excellent communication skills to translate technical findings to cross-functional teams in various global offices and with various partners

Direct experience with footwear materials (EVA, TPU, rubber, PU, textiles)

Familiarity with footwear construction and manufacturing processes

Knowledge of industry standards such as ISO, ASTM, SATRA

Experience working with Asia-based factories and suppliers

Background in R&D labs, product testing environments, or innovation teams

Experience in midsole/outsole compound validation and testing a big plus

Must be optimistic that a solution to difficult challenges can always be found, with the perseverance to keep investigating options until it is.
Curious and open-minded; always open for a challenge, inventive, creative. Ability to challenge the status quo – always looking at improving our products and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details.
Passionate participation in Brooks’ sports activities a plus, overridden by the ability to understand and empathize with the runner in order to develop loyal engaging relationships with our customers, partners and the Brooks’ community.
Strong computer skills including experience with MS office
Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Global travel 20%.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.

Senior Materials Engineer, Footwear Innovation, Asia

Your Job:

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