Senior Product Manufacturing Engineer - Future of Manufacturing (FOM)

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:

The purpose of the Future of Manufacturing (“FOM”) team is to diversify and automate our source base to mitigate risk, increase capacity, drive quality, improve environmental impacts, reduce total landed cost, improve service, and deliver growth closer to our consumers. 

As a Senior Product Engineer, FOM you are a critical player on the team responsible for leading and driving the future of our footwear making process from development to production in Southeast Asia. You will manage a portfolio of projects related to the footwear manufacturing process for new ways of making key models with various product groups to ensure the mass manufacturability of key models within the new processes and technologies for manufacturing.  You will ensure that the technologies and processes deliver to our consumers the expected fit, feel, ride, and quality.

As a Senior Product Engineer, you will be leader on the team to design the tools, processes and leading change management to ensure that the team provides input and feedback to development, commercialization, Lean, and engineering teams to improve our products utilizing a FOM approach.  You, and members of your team, will lead projects, manage related factory trials, and ensure proper execution of product and process changes. 

• Your Responsibilities:
• Lead trials and commercialization on a portfolio of projects for all key manufacturing processes and technologies in the Brooks lineup, from innovation sample to production with end-to-end accountability
• Lead the collaboration and design of procedures on processes, trials, and documentation for end-to-end full processes of the entire product cycle
• Partner with Innovation on new technologies, Manufacturing Engineering on standardization of processes, and Lean Manufacturing on delivery of the right processes and QA to ensure quality and Commercialization to bring to market
• Utilize your expert understanding of the footwear manufacturing process with the ability to teach the concepts to the broader team and proactively recommend changes to processes to enhance overall product quality and performance
• Own the documentation and trial design for a portfolio of projects and synthesize the work of the Product Engineers, FOM into a fully end-to-end PFC with current process
• Own the transfer of technology from innovation to commercialization for the full manufacturing process of the shoes
• Engage and build relationships with development managers to align on standards, materials, and methods
• Own the review of component construction, pattern, and process at the product factory for more advanced models
• Review and confirm wear test shoes received from factories
• Ensure the team’s products are manufactured according to approved product specifications, including functional and aesthetic performance specifications
• Work closely with QA teams to improve our footwear standards and construction methods
• Collaborate with tooling engineering team to review critical wear test samples, production tools, and best practices identify any gaps/issues, and implement solutions
• Be an expert resource to assist USA/Asia DP, Factory, and Production Teams from an automation perspective on upper pattern, upper molds, and tooling concerns for production
• Provide solutions, options, and benefits/risks to address issues as they arise during the early stages of design/development
• Lead and support problem-solving and resolve issues/opportunities across the Commercialization team
• Develop standards and templates to ensure best practices for technologies and processes are documented and manage the proliferation of the process documentation with affected locations
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new and emerging technologies and recommend feasible options for Brooks
• May manage up to 1 direct report - including goal setting, performance review, hiring decisions, team culture, etc. and support their career development to ensure job satisfaction, retention, and to identify and develop bench strength
• Mentor and support more junior teammates
• Ensure standard processes are followed across all factories
• Occasional International travel may be required

• 7+ years’ experience in the Footwear industry
• Advanced/Expert knowledge of footwear construction methods, patterns, processes, tooling, and materials
• Post-secondary degree in an associated discipline (science, engineering) preferred; in lieu of degree, an additional 3+ years of experience acceptable
• Proven project accountability and delivery; proven leadership in formal or non-formal roles
• Fluent English communication skills (both speaking and writing). Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions
• Effective communication, organizational skills, and willingness to lead or work in a team-oriented environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Familiarity with SmartSheet preferred
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values and Run Happy attitude

Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $114,945 - $172,469 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  

Other:

Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!

Benefits- including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.

Paid Time Off- Brooks offers generous time off including three to five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.

Bonus- in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.

Perks- including product discounts, a home office stipend, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.

Location- You will spend 3 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

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, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), honorable discharge or military status, protected citizen status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained guide dog 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.