Job Description

The Product Development and Engineering Innovation Manager leads the development, engineering, and innovation of new products from concept through commercialization domestically (USA). This cross-functional role blends technical development engineering expertise with strategic innovation leadership to create breakthrough solutions that meet evolving market, consumer needs, and business objectives. The role is both a hands-on problem solver and a visionary thinker capable of managing the fully journey of new products or solutions from concept through development to successful market launch. This management role will collaborate cross-functionally with product creation, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure go-to-market execution of high-quality solutions.

What You’ll Do

Product Development / Engineering

• Drive engineering, prototyping, and testing for new products.
• Manage sample room operations and ensure production readiness.
• Create technical specs, CAD models, and documentation.
• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain for cost efficiency and manufacturability.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and align commercialization with production.

Team Leadership

• Inspire and mentor team members, promoting collaboration and growth.
• Provide hands-on leadership and clear strategic direction.
• Translate corporate initiatives into actionable plans.

Innovation

• Identify trends, technologies, and automation opportunities.
• Collaborate on ideation, concept development, and feasibility assessments.
• Integrate innovation into business operations and champion creative thinking.

Work Environment

• Work performed primarily in an office setting based in Red Wing, Minnesota, with regular visits to sample rooms, test labs, and manufacturing facilities.
• Requires exposure to manufacturing environments that may include noise, moving machinery, adhesives, dust, and varying temperatures.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Materials), Footwear Design, Product Development, Innovation Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in product development, product engineering, R&D, or manufacturing within the footwear industry.
• Proven track record of managing projects from concept through commercialization.
• Experience in last engineering, outsole tooling, mould development, and material performance.
• In-depth knowledge of design, development, and commercialization process within go-to-market.
• Experience with various footwear construction methods (cemented, Goodyear welt, stitchdown, injected, vulcanized).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency with CAD software (Rhino, SolidWorks, AutoCAD), rapid prototyping, 3D modeling, and digital prototyping tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent product initiatives with varying timelines and complexity.
• Strong experience leading and working with cross-functional teams (product creation, manufacturing, and sourcing).
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Creative thinking skills with a balance of commercial and technical constraints.
• Passion for technical innovation and continuous improvement in materials, construction, and performance.

Additional Information

Red Wing Shoes is an Equal Opportunity Employer .

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
Individuals with disabilities needing assistance in completing an application may contact rwsc.recruitment@redwingshoes.com or call 651-388-8211.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP at https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory results of a background check.

Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.

Red Wing Shoe Company will not be using recruitment agencies or firms to fill this position and we will not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate information. No agency calls please.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)