Results Group LLC is hiring a Technical Knitwear / Footwear Developer on a contract basis for Motive Labs. This hybrid/remote role in Glastonbury, CT partners closely with the founder and an engineering lead to convert user needs and technical concepts into documentation-ready, manufacturable footwear and knitwear.
Location and Schedule
- Work location: Hybrid / Remote in Glastonbury, CT 06033
- Job type: Part-time contract
- Hours: Approximately 8–24 hours per week
- Compensation: $ varies with experience; 1099
- Availability: Flex time
Role Overview
This is an experienced, hands-on technical product development role focused on user requirements, product requirements, materials and suppliers, sample rounds, and production readiness. You will help keep development moving by translating feedback into clear documentation and factory instructions, supporting repeatable processes from early prototypes toward field use.
Responsibilities
- Translate user feedback into user requirements, product requirements, and measurable criteria for fit, comfort, retention, durability, and manufacturability.
- Create and maintain technical packages, bills of materials, material specifications, sample comments, and revision records with the engineering team.
- Lead supplier communication and support sample development.
- Define objectives, owners, approval criteria, and delivery dates for each development round; identify delays and resolve open issues.
- Evaluate yarns, engineered knits, footwear materials, closures, and construction methods with suppliers and technical specialists.
- Coordinate prototype reviews and fit, wear, and performance testing.
- Translate testing and review results into specific material and construction changes.
- Assess factory capabilities, sample and production costs, minimum order quantities, and lead times.
- Identify backup suppliers when needed.
- Support transition from approved samples to repeatable production by documenting specifications, quality checkpoints, and handoff requirements.
- Build a practical development playbook to strengthen the team’s ability to manage future projects.
- Maintain task-level time records for project accounting.
Requirements
- Substantial footwear and/or technical knitwear development experience, ideally 10 or more years, including direct responsibility for factory sampling and commercialization.
- Proven ability to move multiple products through multiple development rounds while resolving material, fit, construction, and manufacturing problems.
- Working knowledge of engineered knit structures, yarn selection, stretch and recovery, abrasion resistance, and integration of textile components with other parts.
- Experience producing clear user requirements documents, product requirements documents, tech packs, bills of materials, sample evaluations, and supplier instructions.
- Strong project management skills, including prioritization, decision tracking, dependency anticipation, and follow-through with suppliers.
- Established supplier relationships and sound judgment when evaluating new manufacturing partners.
- Collaborative working style with clear written communication, comfortable with evolving requirements in a small company.
Benefits
About Motive Labs
Motive Labs develops functional footwear and wearable products to help people walk. The work is funded by government research grants and brings together product development, engineering, and biomechanics research to develop footwear that supports recovery and improved performance. Projects involve multiple communities, including people with disabilities, people rehabilitating after injury, athletes, workers, and older adults.
Success Milestones
- Within 30 days: Review current designs and suppliers, formalize user requirements and product requirements with the team, and establish a sample-development plan with clear approval criteria.
- Within 60 days: Advance tech packs and bills of materials, assess supplier risks, and establish a practical cadence for user and factory feedback.
- Within 90 days: Lead an initial sample round through the agreed review process, document the next changes, and track turnaround time and unresolved issues.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and a brief (2–4 sentences) description of two relevant technical products you helped develop. Include the type of product, your role, and one factory or material challenge you resolved. Provide your hours per week availability (flex time) and desired consulting rate. Nonconfidential work examples are welcome. Selected candidates may be invited to a short working discussion, which may include a paid sample-development exercise. A confidentiality and IP agreement will be required before access to proprietary work or supplier introductions.
Application Questions
- Identify two technical footwear or technical knitwear projects you have completed, your role, and a technical or materials challenge you helped overcome (2–4 sentences only).
- Please identify the number of hours you can support each week (flex time) and a preferred hourly rate.
