NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At Nike, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FORWe’re currently looking for a Lead Designer for Backpacks & Technical Bags within Accessories to lead and develop seasonal design concepts for bags in accessories. Product Design at Nike is a diverse culture of creativity, collaboration and innovative thinking on all levels. This role requires strong passion and knowledge of apparel product creation and the ability to problem solve every step of the way, from concept to final design. This teammate embodies expert communication skills with the ability to translate complex ideas into focused design narratives as well as a passion and energy for sport culture and design.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ONAs a Lead Designer for Backpacks & Technical Bags within Accessories Design, you will focus on creating highly functional and innovative carry solutions — including backpacks, crossbody bags, messenger bags, and other utility-driven products. This role requires a strong technical mindset, deep product knowledge, and a passion for analyzing function, ergonomics, and user needs. You will operate the developing and editing cohesive collections, ensuring that every product balances functionality, durability and style.
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITHAs a Lead Designer for Backpacks & Technical Bags within Accessories Design, you will be guiding the creative through the design season while working with a team of Designers, Developers, Product Managers, and Merchants to deliver creative in line with the Nike Design. This opportunity will require strong collaborative skills to meet cost requirements, deadlines, all while taking your partners though the thinking behind your work.
***TO BE CONSIDERED, YOU MUST SUBMIT A CREATIVE DESIGN PORTFOLIO. PLEASE PROVIDE WEBSITE LINKS OR ATTACH A PDF FILE WHEN YOU APPLY.***
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Bachelor’s degree in Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
- 6+ years of relevant work experience
- Proven experience designing backpacks across sport, outdoor, or lifestyle categories.
- Ability to translate concepts into precise, technical backpack solutions.
- Strong understanding of ergonomics, fit, load management, and functionality.
- Highly detail-oriented and thorough — with a hands-on, iterative approach to testing and refining designs.
- Deep knowledge of materials, hardware, trims, and construction techniques for backpacks.
- Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, 3D design/rendering tools, and technical sketching.
- Portfolio showing backpack designs with emphasis on technical innovation and real-world usability.
- Positive but rigorous personality, motivated to solve problems and elevate product standards.
- Sustainability (knowledge of sustainable materials and processes).
- Passion for sports/for analyzing the utility and functionality of products to elevate consumer experience.
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 in Design or related field
- 6+ years of relevant work experience
- Proven experience designing backpacks across sport, outdoor, or lifestyle categories
- Strong understanding of ergonomics, fit, load management, and functionality
- Deep knowledge of materials, hardware, trims, and construction techniques for backpacks
- Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, 3D design/rendering tools, and technical sketching
- Portfolio showing backpack designs with emphasis on technical innovation and real-world usability
- Knowledge of sustainable materials and processes
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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