Senior Specialist - Tooling Engineer

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On

IN SHORT: WE ARE SEEKING AN INTERNATIONALLY SEASONED, HIGHLY SPECIALIZED SENIOR LEAD - PATTERN ENGINEER TO SPEARHEAD THE TECHNICAL LIFECYCLE OF OUR GLOBAL PRODUCT LINES FROM CONCEPT TO PRODUCTION. THIS STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP ROLE REQUIRES AN ELITE MASTERY OF BOTH DIGITAL AND MANUAL PATTERN ARCHITECTURE, COMBINED WITH A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF MANAGING GARMENT ENGINEERS WHILE WORKING CLOSELY WITH DESIGN, TECHNICAL DESIGN, AND SUPPLIERS. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL DIRECTLY LEAD, MANAGE, AND SCALE OUR INTERNAL TEAM OF PATTERN ENGINEERS. THIS POSITION ACTS AS THE DEFINITIVE GLOBAL TECHNICAL AUTHORITY FOR PATTERN ENGINEERING - ARCHITECTING SCALABLE FITTING SYSTEMS, OPTIMIZING CROSS-FUNCTIONAL 2D/3D WORKFLOWS, AND DRIVING THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF THEIR DIRECT REPORTS TO REDUCE DEVELOPMENT TIMELINES AND ENSURE FLAWLESS GLOBAL FIT CONSISTENCY.   YOUR MISSION: * Lead, manage, and evaluate a dedicated internal team of Pattern Engineers.  * Design and execute internal training on advanced fitting techniques, complex pattern adjustments, and Gerber Accumark instruction. * Manage team workflow distribution and capacity against dynamic seasonal product creation calendars. * Establish global pattern standards and technical production standards relative to fit and quality benchmarks. * Spearhead high-profile franchise updates and complex special projects, translating technical sketches into scalable, production-ready patterns. * Implement and maintain robust systems for fitting processes, digital pattern management, and PLM pipelines to improve sample approval rates. * Lead high-level fit sessions on live models, acting as the ultimate cross-functional expert between Design, Sourcing, and Materials. * Drive the integration of 2D digital pattern making with 3D prototyping software (CLO/Browzwear) to optimize fabric efficiency.   YOUR STORY: * A minimum of 10–12+ years of progressive experience in pattern engineering and technical apparel design within premier global brands.international vendor communication. Knowledge of a Swiss national language (German, French, or Italian) is considered a strong asset. * A degree in Apparel Design, Pattern Engineering, or a related field. Prior experience acting as an industry instructor or academic specialist in CAD/Pattern software is highly preferred. * Proven track record of direct people management and supervisory experience, having previously led a team of pattern engineers, patternmakers, or technical designers in a brand environment. * Expert-level proficiency in industry-leading CAD systems (specifically Gerber Accumark Explorer/Design & Marker Making or Lectra), PLM software, and Adobe Illustrator. High proficiency in 3D apparel simulation tools (CLO 3D or Browzwear) is required. * Deep expertise in the unique physical properties of technical, performance, stretch-woven, and multi-category fabrics (including experience in complex categories like performance bottoms and custom structured garments). * Exceptional cross-functional leadership skills with a proven track record of driving process improvements, managing team performance, and presenting technical solutions to senior leadership. * Full professional fluency in English (written and spoken) is required as the primary language for global cross-functional collaboration and    YOUR TEAM:   In this role, you will collaborate with the Development, Design, Materials, Sourcing, suppliers, and Product Management teams to translate the product design intent and style vision into a consistent fit, quality, and execution level by leading the team responsible for our product’s technical specifications on fit, sizing, and commercialization requirements.

On

IN SHORT: Product Testing is the voice of the athlete and the consumer at On. We’re responsible for ensuring every On product meets the highest quality standards and delivers a premium, high-performance experience by combining scientific rigor with real-world insight. Through rigorous testing and validation, only products that truly perform make it to market. As a Footwear Testing Senior Lead you will be responsible for validating footwear products from development through to market and driving excellence and leading the team in the Running category. You’ll work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and act as a key partner across Design, Development, Materials, Product Strategy and Sports Science to ensure excellence in fit, comfort, durability, and performance.   YOUR MISSION: * Lead a high-performing team of Specialists, fostering a culture of growth and exploration while elevating existing, successful workflows.  * Serve as a senior point of contact for internal stakeholders in the Run category, providing guidance and alignment on testing projects. * Collaborate closely with key stakeholders to identify testing requirements based on product briefs and target consumers, owning end to end processes for assigned projects  * Define and execute rigorous testing strategies across durability, fit, comfort, and performance,  taking charge of high-complexity testing programs.   * Lead qualitative and quantitative footwear testing, perception studies, and real-world validation to ensure products reflect authentic athlete and consumer needs. * Build and maintain strategic partnerships to integrate consumer insights, scientific expertise, and performance analysis into standardized, evidence-based product evaluations. * Translate complex testing data into powerful insights and clear reports that enable confident decision-making and elevate product excellence across the organization.  * Ensure testing timelines are efficient and seamlessly integrated into the fast-moving Product Creation calendars. * Expand and cultivate a diverse tester network to support project timelines and enhance community engagement.  * Work seamlessly with  testing systems and databases to ensure accurate & high-quality data integrity. * As a leader you will significantly contribute to team goals and process improvements.    YOUR STORY: * 8+ years of experience in footwear testing or a closely related role within the footwear industry * A strong passion for run culture and performance running footwear. * Proven leadership experience, with a passion for building high-performance teams * Ability to influence cross-functional team effectiveness through partnership & advisory * Excellent communication skills and confidence in working with cross-functional stakeholders. * A detail-oriented, creative, and solutions-focused mindset. * Flexibility to work outside standard hours when necessary. * Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint & capable of adapting to internal databases  * Analysis expertise with complex data and analysis methods  * Fluent in English (written and spoken).   YOUR TEAM: We’re a team responsible for making sure that the products for On represent the highest quality & performance standards. We have a lot of responsibility to meet the needs and demands of our customers. So we analyse, test and validate our products in the most comprehensive manner. Only products that pass our rigorous tests ever go to market.   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.