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Retail, Apparel & Fashion, Manufacturing, E-commerce

Junior Material Developer Intern

Portland, OROnsiteInternshipJunior / Entry-levelPosted 5 days agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

  • sustainability
  • outdoor industry
  • footwear
  • innovation
  • community
  • material mood boards
  • material library
  • technical specifications
  • season material specification
  • Junior

Nice to have

  • creative eye
  • passion for sandals, boots
  • outdoor enthusiast
  • fascinated by footwear trends
  • detail-oriented
  • solving problems

Role summary

KEEN is seeking a Junior Material Developer Intern for a 10-week paid internship at their Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon. The intern will gain hands-on experience in footwear innovation, developing material mood boards, sourcing and developing materials, collaborating with suppliers, and testing materials against quality standards. This role requires a student pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in Textile Design, Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, or a related field, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong communication and organizational skills. The internship focuses on creativity, sustainability, and the outdoor industry.

Are you passionate about sandals, boots, and everything in between? Do you live and breathe sustainability? Do you have a creative eye, a hunger to learn, and a KEEN interest in the outdoor industry? If you said yes to any of the above, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

Position: Junior Material Developer InternLocation: KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (on-site)Duration: 10 weeksCompensation: $22/hourProgram Duration: Monday, June 14th – Friday, August 20th

What You'll Do

As an Intern at KEEN (KEENtern), you’ll dive into the exciting world of footwear, innovation, and community! You’ll get hands-on experience working alongside industry experts and contribute to shaping the future of KEEN.

As the Junior Materials Developer Intern, you will create new materializations of KEEN icons by developing material mood boards that bring each story to life, sourcing and developing selected materials and upper components, collaborating with suppliers to provide direction and monitor progress, and testing materials against QPS standards to ensure quality and performance.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Research trends and create material mood boards.
  • Maintain and organize material library.
  • Translate design ideas into technical specifications.
  • Document season material specification.

    • Minimum Qualifications

  • Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, or a related field.
  • Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university at the Junior, Senior, or Graduate level. You will also be considered if you have recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
  • Must be able to work 40 hours/week during the internship program during normal working hours (Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and be available to work in the office 5 days/week.

    • What We’re Looking For:

    We’re seeking someone who embodies our passion for creativity, sustainability, and the great outdoors. Our ideal KEENtern is:

  • Passionate: Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, committed to sustainability, or fascinated by footwear trends and innovation, you’re excited to engage with the world around you.
  • Creatively Minded: You’re detail-oriented, love bringing fresh ideas to life, and have a knack for solving problems.
  • A Strong Communicator: Whether it’s collaborating with a team or presenting ideas, you know how to express yourself clearly and effectively.
  • Proactive & Eager to Learn: You’re curious, ready to ask questions, take initiative, and dive into new challenges with enthusiasm.

    • Why Intern with Us?

    Being a KEENtern means you’re not just an intern—you’re a valued part of our KEEN community. Here’s what you can look forward to:

  • Meaningful Work: Tackle real-world projects that make an impact, gaining valuable hands-on experience at a globally recognized brand.
  • Collaborative Environment: Partner with talented teammates and work on a group project with other KEENterns.
  • Networking Opportunities: Build connections with industry experts and mentors who can help shape your career.
  • Perks & Benefits: Enjoy product discounts, a subsidized cafeteria, and an inspiring workspace.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Immerse yourself in Portland – a vibrant city nestled between the mountains and the coast – a hub for all things outdoors, such as hiking, biking, rafting, camping, and climbing.

    • Program Requirements:

    To qualify for this internship, you must:

  • Be a Junior, Senior, or Graduate student working toward a degree in Textile Design, Textile Engineering, Fashion Design, or a related field.
  • Be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
  • Commit to a 10-week program from mid-June through mid-August.
  • Dedicate 40 hours per week during standard M-F work week.
  • This is an onsite role located at our beautiful headquarters office in Portland, OR.
  • Plan no more than four total days of vacation during the internship.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Able to learn and adapt quickly to new software and tools.
  • Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, strong attention to detail in preparation of presentations, reports, and materials.
  • Demonstrate strong organization skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
  • Proven ability to work independently as well as collaborate with a team.
  • Able to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation, including using a computer for extended periods.

    • Travel: Occasional travel in and around the larger Portland area to support activations.

    Ready to Take the Next Step?If you’re ready to take your passions to the next level and be part of a world-class team, please apply.

    Other Requirements

    Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without cause.

    Fuerst Group, KEEN and Chrome are equal opportunity employers. We value an inclusive and diverse community. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

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