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Technical Footwear and Knitwear Developer -

Contract Location:

Hybrid / Remote Job type: Part-time contract

Hours:

Approximately 8-24 hours per week

Compensation:

$ varies with experience; 1099 About Motive Labs Motive Labs develops functional footwear and wearable products to help people walk. Funded by government research grants, we bring together product development, engineering, and research in biomechanics to develop footwear that helps people get back on their feet and improve their performance. We work with multiple communities, including: people with disabilities, people rehabilitating after injury, athletes, workers, and older adults. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Footwear Product Developer to turn user needs and technical concepts into well-documented, manufacturable products. We create a variety of footwear that improves people's ability to walk and overcome limitations. You will contribute to the development process across user requirements, product requirements, materials, suppliers, sample rounds, and production readiness. Working directly with the founder and engineering lead, you will translate feedback into clear documentation, factory instructions, keep development moving, and help our team build repeatable processes. This is a hands-on technical product management role suited to someone who enjoys solving unfamiliar problems in a small team. What You Will Do Translate user feedback into user requirements, product requirements and measurable criteria for fit, comfort, retention, durability, and manufacturability. Create and maintain technical packages, bills of materials, material specifications, sample comments, and revision records with the engineering team. Lead supplier communication and sample development. Define objectives, owners, approval criteria, and delivery dates for each round; identify delays and resolve open issues. Evaluate yarns, engineered knits, footwear materials, closures, and construction methods with suppliers and technical specialists. Coordinate prototype reviews and fit, wear, and performance testing. Translate results into specific material and construction changes. Assess factory capabilities, sample and production costs, minimum order quantities, and lead times. Identify backup suppliers when needed. Support the transition from approved samples to repeatable production by documenting specifications, quality checkpoints, and handoff requirements. Build a practical development playbook and strengthen the team's ability to manage future projects. Maintain task-level time records for project accounting. What You Bring Substantial footwear and/or technical knitwear development experience, ideally 10 or more years, with direct responsibility for factory sampling and commercialization. Demonstrated ability to take multiple products through multiple development rounds and resolve material, fit, construction, and manufacturing problems. Working knowledge of engineered knit structures, yarn selection, stretch and recovery, abrasion resistance, and textile integration with other components. Experience creating clear user requirements documents, product requirements documents, tech packs, bills of materials, sample evaluations, and supplier instructions.

Strong project management skills:

you establish priorities, track decisions, anticipate dependencies, and follow through with suppliers. Established supplier relationships and the judgment to evaluate new manufacturing partners. A collaborative approach, clear written communication, and comfort working with evolving requirements in a small company. Helpful Additional Experience Athletic performance footwear, protective / military footwear, boots, adaptive footwear; or wearable medical products. Flat or circular knitting, coatings, textile composites, or resin-compatible knit structures. US or Mexico sourcing, domestic textile supply chains, and experience supporting military footwear sourcing requirements. What Success Looks Like Within 30 days: Review current designs and suppliers, formalize user requirements and product requirements with the team, and establish a sample-development plan with clear approval criteria. Within 60 days: Advance the tech packs and bills of materials, assess supplier risks, and establish a practical cadence for user and factory feedback. Within 90 days: Lead an initial sample round through the agreed review process, document the next changes, and track turnaround time and unresolved issues. How We Work You will work alongside the engineering lead, while the founder sets priorities, business direction and approvals. Your focus is on product development, documentation, supplier evaluation, technical development and supplier execution. You will have direct influence on product decisions and the opportunity to see your work progress from early prototypes toward field use. How to Apply Apply with your resume and 1) A brief (2-4 sentences only) description of two relevant technical products you helped develop. Identify the type of product, your role, and one factory or material challenge you resolved. 2) Hours per week availability (flex time) and desired consulting rate. Nonconfidential work examples are welcome. Selected candidates may be invited to a short working discussion which may include a paid sample-development exercise. A confidentiality and IP agreement will be required before access to proprietary work or supplier introductions.

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Application Question(s): Identify two technical footwear or technical knitwear projects you have completed, your role, and a technical or materials challenge you helped overcome. Brief - 2 to 4 sentences only. Please identify the number of hours you can support each week, flex time, and a preferred hourly rate.

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Glastonbury, CT 06033