Sr. Technical Engineer, Tooling (adidas Basketball | Footwear)

POSITION OVERVIEW

At adidas, we never launch a product unless we consider it perfect. Our product creation teams bring together technical expertise, engineering innovation, and craftsmanship to create footwear that performs at the highest level. Every product is developed with precision and purpose, transforming creative concepts into technically advanced solutions that deliver exceptional performance, quality, and consumer experience.

The Sr. Technical Engineer, Tooling (Footwear) plays a critical role in the creation of high-performance basketball footwear by leading technical engineering solutions, driving tooling development, and translating innovative designs into high-quality, manufacturable products. This role combines advanced footwear engineering expertise with a deep understanding of mold making, materials, manufacturing processes, and basketball-specific performance requirements.

Working closely with Basketball Footwear Product Development, Design, Materials, Innovation, Digital Creation, and global manufacturing partners, this role provides technical leadership throughout the product creation lifecycle. The Sr. Technical Engineer identifies opportunities to optimize footwear construction, improve manufacturing efficiency, enhance sustainability, and achieve quality and cost objectives while supporting the unique demands of basketball athletes.

Through technical consultation, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement, this position helps advance adidas basketball footwear engineering capabilities while supporting the development of innovative products that deliver performance, durability, comfort, and confidence on the court.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Technical Engineering Leadership: Serve as a technical expert for basketball footwear product creation teams, evaluating designs for performance, manufacturability, quality, production efficiency, and cost optimization.

• Tooling Development: Own the tooling creation process by translating basketball footwear design concepts into validated technical specifications and leading tooling prototyping through key development milestones.

• Technical Documentation: Oversee the creation and validation of technical engineering information in partnership with Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 manufacturing partners and adidas operational teams.

• Product Engineering Solutions: Develop and recommend technical solutions that balance basketball-specific performance requirements, adidas quality standards, target costs, material specifications, and manufacturing capabilities.

• Manufacturing Innovation: Guide innovative manufacturing processes, evaluate technical feasibility, and support proof-of-concept development for new footwear constructions and tooling technologies.

• Product Review and Validation: Lead technical project reviews with key stakeholders to ensure basketball footwear meets engineering requirements, functional performance expectations, quality standards, and cost objectives.

• Basketball Performance Engineering: Apply technical expertise to footwear construction and tooling solutions that support stability, traction, cushioning, durability, and multidirectional movement.

• Consumer-Centered Innovation: Integrate athlete and consumer insights into technical engineering decisions that strengthen product credibility, sustainability, and on-court performance.

• Digital Engineering Collaboration: Partner with Design and Digital Creation teams to translate 2D and 3D concepts into technically feasible, production-ready basketball footwear solutions.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Product Development, Design, Marketing, Materials, Innovation, Product Testing, Costing, and manufacturing partners to resolve technical challenges and support basketball footwear creation objectives.

• Technical Mentorship: Provide guidance to junior engineers and new employees on adidas technical standards, footwear engineering processes, tooling development, and technical package creation.

• Process Optimization: Identify and implement improvements that eliminate non-value-added activities, accelerate development timelines, and strengthen engineering efficiency.

• End-to-End Engineering Excellence: Evaluate technical processes across the basketball footwear development lifecycle and implement improvements that enhance product quality, consistency, and operational effectiveness.

• Technical Standards and Systems: Challenge existing engineering tools, methodologies, and workflows while developing practical solutions that improve cross-functional decision-making.

• Emerging Technologies: Maintain expertise in footwear engineering advancements, mold making, prototyping technologies, materials, manufacturing systems, and digital development capabilities.

• Digital Innovation: Explore advanced digital engineering tools, including virtual reality and emerging visualization technologies, to improve technical collaboration and development decisions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Sport Science, Mold Making, or a related technical discipline, or comparable education.

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in mold making, shoe making, footwear manufacturing, product development, or technically focused design.

• Advanced technical knowledge of footwear mold making, shoe construction, and manufacturing processes.

• Experience applying 2D and 3D CAD technologies to technical engineering, product development, or tooling applications.

• Strong understanding of footwear materials, compounds, manufacturing technologies, and production requirements.

• Ability to evaluate technical designs for manufacturability, product performance, quality, and cost efficiency.

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional product creation teams and manufacturing partners.

• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop.

• English language proficiency, including professional reading and written communication.

• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, international, and fast-paced product development environment.

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, technical innovation, and process improvement.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience developing tooling or engineered footwear solutions for basketball, performance sports, or other technically demanding athletic categories.

• Experience using Rhino for advanced 3D CAD modeling and footwear tooling development.

• Knowledge of digital 2D engineering, advanced 3D modeling, and technical analytics.

• Understanding of footwear biomechanics, anatomical considerations, and performance-driven product construction.

• Familiarity with basketball footwear performance requirements, including traction, stability, cushioning, and multidirectional movement.

• Experience supporting technical product development across global manufacturing partners and multi-tier supply chains.

• Exposure to digital prototyping, virtual reality, and advanced product visualization technologies.

• Experience mentoring junior technical professionals or supporting engineering knowledge-sharing initiatives.

• Experience identifying sustainability opportunities through material selection, tooling innovation, and manufacturing optimization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based in Los Angeles, California, and follows the adidas hybrid work policy. Employees are expected to work in the office Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. In-office attendance may also be required on Fridays for collaborative activities, business needs, or in-person presentations.

The role operates in a dynamic, collaborative, and technically focused basketball footwear product creation environment. Responsibilities involve close interaction with engineering, design, development, and manufacturing teams, as well as global supply chain partners. Travel expectations will be determined by business and project requirements.

The position requires adaptability, strong technical judgment, and the ability to manage multiple development priorities within a fast-paced, globally connected organization. English is the working language across adidas teams.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

The Sr. Technical Engineer, Footwear Tooling (Basketball) operates within the Basketball Footwear product development organization and works in close partnership with footwear engineering and product creation leadership. The position serves as a senior technical contributor, providing engineering expertise and recommendations that influence basketball footwear development decisions.

The role maintains strong cross-functional relationships with Product Development, Design, Marketing, Materials Development, Innovation, Product Testing, Digital Creation, Concept Excellence, Costing, Liaison Offices, and Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 manufacturing partners.

The position provides technical guidance, mentorship, and knowledge sharing to junior team members and newly onboarded employees. Formal people management responsibilities are not specified.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $129,250 - $144,343.

Actual salary will be determined based on various factors, including a candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.

Employees are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on both company and individual performance.

adidas offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible full-time employees, designed to support health, financial well-being, work-life balance, and professional development. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical coverage including HSA with employer funding or FSA options, dental, vision, and prescription plans.

• Adoption, surrogate, and fertility support programs.

• Short and