❤️ #38 - Jobs at Hoka!

Author

siddharth muthyala
March 24, 2025

Happy Monday, design friends!

Let's kick off the week with a spring in our step and a dash of inspiration from the world of footwear design. Today, we're lacing up with HOKA, the brand that's taken the sneaker world by storm with its bold, maximalist designs and unparalleled comfort.

I have an ask, and it’s simple, can you send this to friends, colleagues partners if you think they would benefit from these roles I send out? It doesn’t take a lot but it means so much!

Thanks!

  1. Sr. Materials Design Manager - HOKA/Decker Brands (click link for job posting)

    Summary: The Sr. Materials Design Manager at Deckers Brands (UGG Footwear) leads material strategy, innovation, and execution for men's and women's collections,

    Salary Estimate:$150,000 - 160,000 USD

    Location: Goleta, California

  2. Director, Color Design - HOKA /  Decker Brands (click link for job posting)

    Summary: The Director of Color Design – HOKA leads the brand’s color strategy, driving trend vision, innovation, and execution to enhance product storytelling, commercial success, and global impact while inspiring and mentoring a high-performing design team.

    Salary Estimate: $200,000 - $250,000 USD

    Location: Portland, Oregon

  3. Product Developer II - HOKA Footwear (click link for job posting)

    Summary: The Product Developer – HOKA Footwear (Collab/Energy) drives the footwear creation process from concept to production, ensuring design, performance, and cost alignment while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, on-time products.

    Salary Estimate: $150,000 - 160,000 USD

    Location: Portland, Oregon

  4. Product Developer I, Innovations and Collaborations (click link for job posting)

    Summary: The Product Developer I, Innovations and Collaborations supports the development of innovative and collaboration-driven footwear projects, balancing creativity with manufacturability while ensuring technical excellence, product integrity, and seamless execution from concept to commercialization.

    Salary Estimate: $150,000 - 160,000 USD

    Location: Goleta, California

  5. Sr. Manager, Product Development - HOKA Innovation (click link for job posting)

    Summary: ​The Senior Manager of Product Development at HOKA Innovation leads the creation of next-generation footwear concepts by collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to drive radical innovation.

    Salary Estimate: $150,000 - 160,000 USD

    Location: Portland, Oregon

  6. VP, Design - FLG Footwear - HOKA Footwear (click link for job posting)

    Summary: The VP of Design, FLG Footwear at Deckers Brands leads global design strategy, innovation, and execution, ensuring market-driven, category-defining footwear while mentoring a high-performing team.

    Salary Estimate: $200,000 - 300,000 USD

    Location: Goleta, California

  7. I saw so many more design roles in the USA, keep an eye out for more roles

  8. And don’t forget to check ot past editions of Design Scramble for more roles

10 Things Great Designers Do!

After leading a ton of design projects at LEGO, I've noticed a pattern. The best designers—the ones who stand out—are the ones doing these things. If you want to level up in your design career, here’s what you can learn from them!

They embrace ambiguity. Product design is messy. You won’t always have all the answers upfront, and that’s okay. Learn to navigate the unknown, clarify what’s unclear, and find innovative solutions where there’s no clear path.

They think in systems. Stop thinking of your product as a one-off project. It’s part of a bigger picture. Think about how it fits in with everything else, how every piece connects, and how your design plays a role in the larger system.

They prototype early and often. Perfection is a myth. Don’t waste time trying to create the perfect design right out of the gate. Start messy, get feedback fast, and iterate, iterate, iterate.

They collaborate relentlessly. Design is not a solo act. You need to be working closely with developers, PMs, and stakeholders. Align on the goals and execute together for the best outcome.

Thay are data-driven. Don’t design based on gut feelings alone. Let data inform your decisions, but also be ready to pivot with user feedback. It’s all about making intentional design decisions. People will trust your gut when you can back it up with insight.

They tell a story. Your design should speak for itself. If you can’t craft a compelling narrative around your work, it won’t resonate with your audience.

They prioritize simplicity. The simplest solutions are often the most effective. Get rid of unnecessary complexity. Your job is to make things clear and easy for the user.

And these last 3 are what I have noticed that sets great designers apart from the good.

They never stop learning. Design is always evolving. The best designers are constantly hungry for new knowledge. Stay curious, keep learning, and adapt with the industry.

They create beyond work. Side projects fuel creativity and keep you sharp. Don’t wait for work to inspire you—work on personal projects to keep your design brain in top shape.

They step outside the design bubble. Break free from the comfort zone. Look for fresh perspectives and challenge yourself to approach problems from new angles. Get out of your design silo and see the bigger world around you.

There you go. Follow these and you'll find yourself creating stronger, more impactful designs, with bigger opportunities ahead. Keep pushing, keep improving, and never settle. Your best work is ahead of you.

Love,
Sid.
Who am I?
Linkedin 

Hey, if this isn’t for you, no problem—but someone in your network might need it.

Job hunting is tough, and I know from experience how easy it is to focus on just a few familiar companies, forgetting about so many others. That’s why I started this newsletter—not just to share great roles, but to inspire you to think beyond your usual search.

Forwarding this could be the small action that leads someone to their dream job. The impact? Huge!

Where they can sign up too - https://design-scramble.beehiiv.com/ 

Thanks!!

Just for some laughs