Build the footwear brand you want to build.
Staark Balance is building a new performance footwear brand focused on technically engineered products combining comfort, stability, support, traction and durability.
We are looking for a Co-Founder, Head of Footwear Design & Development to own our product journey from concept → prototype → manufacturing → market.
This is not a traditional design job. You will be a founding partner with real ownership and direct influence over the product and future brand.

What you will own
Footwear design, engineering and product development.
Materials, components, construction and tooling.
Prototyping, testing, fit and product refinement.
Technical packs and factory relationships.
Manufacturing readiness and product quality.
Future product roadmap and Staark's product DNA.

Who we want
7+ years of footwear design/development experience.
Proven concept → prototype → production experience.
Strong knowledge of footwear construction, materials and manufacturing.
Experience working directly with factories.




Strong product judgement and attention to detail.
Hands-on, entrepreneurial and commercially minded.
Most importantly: thinks like a founder, not an employee.
Performance, athletic, recovery or technical lifestyle footwear experience is a strong advantage.

The opportunity
10–15% founder equity, depending on experience, commitment and contribution.
4-year vesting · 1-year cliff · Equity-based at the initial stage
You are joining early enough to help define the product, design language and future of the company.
We are looking for someone willing to take a calculated risk today for meaningful ownership tomorrow.
We don't want to build another footwear product for someone else's brand. We want to build our own.

How to apply
Don't send us only a CV. Show us what you've built.

Please share:
1–3 footwear products you personally designed or developed.
Your portfolio, website, LinkedIn or product examples.
One product you took from concept → pr

📌 Co-Founder, Head of Footwear Design (Italia)
🏢 Yooma
📍 Italia