LEAD, DATA ENGINEER - NIKE
[Beaverton, OR - USA]
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITHConsumer Product and Innovation (CP&I) Data and Analytics Engineering sits at the intersection of product innovation and enterprise data strategy at Nike. Reporting to the Engineering Director, this team partners with data scientists, engineers, analysts, and product managers to build a cross-capability data foundation and a semantic layer that powers Advanced Analytics, Business Intelligence, and AI solutions driving business growth.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FORWe're looking for a Lead Data Engineer to design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and analytics solutions within Nike's CP&I organization. This role drives the development of robust data products that support Business Intelligence and AI initiatives across the business. The candidate will lead technical design and development while mentoring junior engineers and setting standards for data governance, performance, and engineering excellence.
We're seeking someone with deep expertise in distributed data processing and cloud-based data platforms who can translate complex business requirements into reliable, production-grade solutions. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership instincts, excels in cross-functional collaboration, and communicates technical concepts clearly to both engineering peers and non-technical stakeholders. Success in this role requires a builder's mindset, a commitment to continuous improvement, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where data directly fuels innovation and growth.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, experience, or training
- 8+ years of experience as a Data Engineer with strong expertise in Databricks, PySpark, SQL, and Apache Spark
- Hands-on experience with the Databricks Lakehouse Platform, Medallion architecture, Delta Lake, and AWS data services (S3, RDS)
- Proven experience leading and mentoring data engineering teams, with strong skills in CI/CD, Git, and DevOps practices
- Experience with data modeling, ETL/ELT processes, real-time data processing frameworks (Kafka, Kinesis, or similar), and cross-functional stakeholder communication
Preferred qualifications:
- Knowledge of Generative AI and Machine Learning pipelines and integrating them into production environments
- Databricks certification (e.g., Databricks Certified Data Engineer or Databricks Certified Developer for Apache Spark)
You'll be at the forefront of building Nike's data foundation and semantic layer - designing and delivering the pipelines, frameworks, and data products that turn raw data into insights shaping product innovation and business strategy. This is hands-on, high-impact work at the intersection of engineering craft and enterprise scale.
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable data pipelines and architectures that power analytics and AI initiatives across CP&I
- Partner with data scientists, analysts, product managers, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into technical specifications and deliver solutions that drive decision-making
- Mentor junior data engineers and champion best practices in coding standards, data governance, and performance optimization
- Build and maintain robust, reusable data engineering components, frameworks, and libraries that process data from diverse sources with consistency and quality
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize data pipelines to ensure high availability, performance, and reliability at enterprise scale
- Implement CI/CD pipelines to automate deployment and testing of data engineering workflows
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, experience, or training
- 8+ years of experience as a Data Engineer
- Strong expertise in Databricks, PySpark, SQL, and Apache Spark
- Hands-on experience with the Databricks Lakehouse Platform, Medallion architecture, and Delta Lake
- Experience with AWS data services (S3, RDS)
- Proven experience leading and mentoring data engineering teams
- Strong skills in CI/CD, Git, and DevOps practices
- Experience with data modeling, ETL/ELT processes, and real-time data processing frameworks (Kafka, Kinesis, or similar)
- Strong cross-functional stakeholder communication skills
- Knowledge of Generative AI and Machine Learning pipelines (preferred)
- Databricks certification (e.g., Databricks Certified Data Engineer or Databricks Certified Developer for Apache Spark) (preferred)
Nike Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nike and has not been reviewed or approved by Nike.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a company match is complemented by options such as a Mega Backdoor Roth and deferred compensation for eligible earners. Financial coaching and structured savings programs support long-term financial security.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a stock discount sits alongside broad-based equity vehicles like RSUs and non-qualified stock options. These avenues expand wealth-building opportunities beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave includes maternity and paternity time, recently expanded in the U.S. to 16 weeks and extended to part-time retail teammates. Additional supports include childcare assistance at select locations and family-building benefits such as fertility, surrogacy, and adoption.
Nike Insights
What We Do
At NIKE, Inc., we innovate to serve athletes*. Every teammate - from coder to creator - plays a role in making these athletes’ dreams real. Our tech, data, and digital teams push limits every day, building the future of sport and the tools that drive it. Here, curiosity is fuel. Innovation is the game plan. Different perspectives keep us on the offense. You’ll solve challenges worth tackling, grow fast and belong to a team that backs you to do the right thing. Bring your drive. Bring your bold. Let’s move the world, together. Take your first step at nike.com/careers * If you have a body, you’re an athlete.
Why Work With Us
At NIKE, Inc., your dedication fuels the future of sport. There is a sense of pride that comes from representing an iconic brand and shaping its future. Here, we treat every day as a new opportunity to push boundaries, ask tough questions and share whole-hearted convictions. We are a team – united by the belief that anything is possible.
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