Senior Lead - Last Engineer
Zurich
In Short
At On, the secret to our signature cloud-like sensation starts from the inside out. The last is the very foundation of our footwear, dictating fit, performance, and aesthetic. We are seeking a visionary Senior Lead Last Engineer to pioneer the creation, optimization, and management of our footwear lasts across all product categories.
In this pivotal role, you will bridge the gap between biomechanics, design, and manufacturing. You will serve as the central authority on all last-related topics, ensuring our performance running, fashion, and lifestyle shoes deliver the ultimate fit and experience for our global community.
Key Responsibilities
- Standardization & Consolidation: Establish clear standards and best practices for all new last creations. Champion the implementation of these guidelines across internal teams and suppliers to strategically consolidate and optimize our existing last library.
- Last Creation & Internal Consulting: Lead the hands-on creation of new lasts while acting as the primary technical consultant for Design, Development, and Innovation teams regarding last grading, selection, and fit optimization for new and existing projects.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Build and manage strong, collaborative relationships with external last suppliers and manufacturers to ensure quality, precision, and timely delivery.
- Library Management: Own and meticulously maintain our comprehensive digital and physical last libraries, ensuring all data is accurate, organized, and easily accessible to cross-functional teams.
- Sourcing & Production Support: Partner with the Sourcing and Manufacturing teams to resolve technical last challenges, streamline production processes, and provide expert guidance on last-related topics at the factory level.
- Process Innovation: Continuously evaluate and improve our last development workflows, integrating the latest 3D modeling technologies and fit-data insights.
Requirements
- Comprehensive Last Modeling Expertise: 8 years+ hands-on experience in last engineering across both high-performance running and fashion/lifestyle footwear. You must possess a deep understanding of dynamic fit, foot anatomy, and biomechanics, while also knowing how to balance complex aesthetic requirements with commercial fit standards.
- Program & Library Management: Proven experience managing comprehensive last development programs for a sports or performance footwear brand. Must possess exceptional organizational skills to build, consolidate, and seamlessly manage extensive digital and physical last libraries while juggling multiple development calendars from concept to mass production.
- Manufacturing Equipment Operation: Practical ability to utilize physical last manufacturing and digitizing equipment, specifically 3D scanners and milling machines, to create, reverse-engineer, and modify physical models.
- Technical & CAD Proficiency: Advanced skills in 3D CAD software relevant to last design and modification (e.g., Romans CAD, Rhino, or similar footwear-specific engineering tools).
- Industry Knowledge: Extensive understanding of footwear manufacturing processes, tooling, and grading principles.
- Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage extensive digital and physical libraries and juggle multiple development calendars simultaneously.
- Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively translate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and external suppliers.
About the Team
The Footwear Engineering team is a highly specialized collective of Pattern Engineers, Tooling Engineers, and Last Engineers who hold the keys to the ultimate fit, feel, and ride of every On shoe. Rooted in our proud heritage of meticulous Swiss engineering, we obsess over every millimeter and material to craft the absolute best performance products for elite athletes and everyday consumers alike. We are the critical bridge between radical design and physical reality, working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where data-driven precision fuels our relentless dedication to human movement.
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