Lead Innovation Researcher - HOKA Innovation

Hoka
United States
Workplace: HybridFull timeUSD 108,700 - 146,700 annuallyFunction: Research & Scientific (R&D)Experience: 6-8 yearsSkills: ["Storytelling","Communication","Teamwork","Self-starter","Continuous learning"]

Lead science-driven research to identify athlete and consumer needs, define knowledge gaps, and design applied studies that generate actionable insights for footwear innovation. Partner across Innovation, Design, Development, Product Creation, and external research collaborators to translate findings into concept development and validation. Execute performance testing and help evaluate disruptive concepts from early exploration through commercialization using advanced motion capture and analysis tools.

Loading

Loading job details...

Preparing the role view and application actions.

FursaFursa
Hoka
Hoka
1 day ago

Lead Innovation Researcher - HOKA Innovation

✓ Verified Job

Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 6 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Lead science-driven research to identify athlete and consumer needs, define knowledge gaps, and design applied studies that generate actionable insights for footwear innovation. Partner across Innovation, Design, Development, Product Creation, and external research collaborators to translate findings into concept development and validation. Execute performance testing and help evaluate disruptive concepts from early exploration through commercialization using advanced motion capture and analysis tools.
Location: United States
Workplace: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Research & Scientific (R&D)
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Partner with Innovation leadership to shape and advance innovation strategy at the intersection of science, athlete insight, and product performance.
  • •Provide scientific expertise to inform innovation design, concept development, and product decision-making.
  • •Identify knowledge gaps and set research priorities to uncover innovation opportunities.
  • •Design research protocols, develop tools, and execute applied studies to generate actionable insights.
  • •Apply performance testing methods to evaluate how footwear concepts influence movement, efficiency, and performance and translate findings into product direction.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 108,700 - 146,700 annually
Perks:Annual Bonus

Key Requirements

  • •Master’s or PhD degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, or a similar field.
  • •6–8 years of experience in footwear, sports equipment, or human performance research.
  • •Experience leading research programs within the footwear industry or a closely related field.
  • •Expertise in research design and applied sport science, including experimental design, statistical methods, and current sport science literature.
  • •Advanced proficiency with lab and field technologies (e.g., 3D motion capture, force plates, pressure insoles, metabolic carts, IMUs) and data processing/analysis/visualization using Python, MATLAB, and Visual3D.
Experience:6-8 yearsFootwearSports equipmentHuman performance researchSports scienceApplied research
Education:
Skills:StorytellingCommunicationTeamworkSelf-starterContinuous learning
Tech Stack:PythonMATLABVisual3D3D motion captureForce platesPressure insolesMetabolic cartsIMUs

Company Brief

Hoka
Deckers Brands designs, markets, and distributes premium footwear, apparel, and accessories through global brands including HOKA, UGG, Teva, and Sanuk, selling via wholesale, e-commerce, and owned retail stores.
Industry: Fashion & Apparel
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Revenue: USD 1B+
Growth: Public Company
Valuation: Public Company (Market Cap in USD)
Funding: IPO / Publicly Listed
Headquarters: Goleta, United States
Founded: 1973
Website