Innovation Intern

Location: Portland, OR Department: Innovation/R&D

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: Innovation Intern Location: KEEN’s Global Headquarters in Portland, Oregon (on-site) Duration: 10 weeks Compensation: $22/hour Program 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 an Innovation Intern, you will participate in Innovation team meetings, contribute fresh ideas, and support an assigned project from initial concept through soft prototype. You’ll have opportunities to lead design exploration and concept development while tracking milestones, samples, and next steps and sharing clear status updates. You’ll also assist with day-to-day Innovation tasks, including sample coordination, shipping, and maintaining organized project materials.

Essential Responsibilities

Support the Innovation team’s product-creation process, from early idea generation through soft prototype development.

Own assigned innovation projects and tasks, ensuring work progresses against key milestones.

Maintain accurate project tracking, timelines, and status updates for the team.

Assist with sample coordination, including requesting, receiving, organizing, reviewing, and shipping samples.

Keep Innovation materials, samples, and shared spaces organized and easy for the team to access.

Participate actively in team meetings by documenting key decisions, actions, and follow-ups.

Contribute research, concepts, and fresh thinking that help identify new footwear innovation opportunities.

Support concept visualization and storytelling through sketches, mood boards, Illustrator/Photoshop layouts, or simple 3D studies.

Assist with prototype reviews by documenting feedback, identifying opportunities for refinement, and preparing materials for team presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

Currently pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s degree in Industrial 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.

Must have working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Rhino, Fusion, Procreate or similar applications.

Experience with physical prototyping.

A background in industrial design, footwear design, product design, or a related creative discipline is preferred.

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 Industrial 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.

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 fo