WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
The Lead, Manufacturing Process Engineer at Air MI is a technical leader within Air Manufacturing Engineering responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining the manufacturing processes used to create Nike Air components. This role drives process capability and manufacturing readiness in alignment with the ambitions of the Air MI Manufacturing System (AMS)—focusing on standardization, flow, stability, and Lean‑driven continuous improvement.
This role will report to the Sr Manager, Process Engineering in AM93 in St. Charles and will partner closely with Product Development Design, Tooling, Quality Systems Engineering, Automation Engineering, and Air Manufacturing Operations to deliver safe, scalable, standardized, data‑driven processes that enable Air MI to meet demand, reduce scrap and waste, and operate as a standardized global network.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Lead, Process Engineering is a key member of the Manufacturing Engineering team that delivers AIR and is expected to: mentor process engineers engineering and manufacturing best practices; drive process optimization, technical excellence and deliver quality; integrate digital and automation solutions; lead continuous improvement and team collaboration with emphasis on Lean Six Sigma; and promote workplace safety. This role will elevate, evolve, and drive manufacturing process engineering best practices and standards while driving the adoption of real-time data systems. The right person for this role will bring experience in critical-to-quality control plans, statistical process control, PFMEA, process validations, predictive modeling or digital twins and excel in process simulation. You need to be solutions oriented, decisive and bring a hands-on approach to teaching and problem solving with a proven track record of improving efficiencies in processes as well as driving accountability.
Required:
- Experience - At least 6 years in process engineering within a high-volume manufacturing production environment in Plastics, Semiconductor, Technology or Food & Beverage industries.
- Education – bachelor’s degree in plastics, chemical, mechanical, manufacturing or industrial engineering, will accept any suitable combination of education, experience or training
- Technical – process simulation/optimization/digital twin technology, Six Sigma, lean manufacturing, Statistical modeling/analysis
- Experience troubleshooting complex manufacturing equipment utilizing mechanical, process, and automation fundamentals.
Preferred:
- Experience in Thermoforming of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes, RF Welding, and Part Trimming.
- Experience in product development and validation in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Proven ability to work with associates of all levels including machine operators, supervisors, experts, engineers, technicians, and executives, while adapting communication style to suit different audiences.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
The Lead, Process Engineer at Air MI will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining the manufacturing processes used to create Nike Air components. This role drives process capability and manufacturing readiness in alignment with the ambitions of the Air MI Manufacturing System (AMS)—focusing on standardization, flow, stability, and Lean‑driven continuous improvement.
You will partner closely with Quality Systems engineers, Automation Engineers, and Air Production to deliver safe, scalable, data‑driven processes that enable Air MI to meet demand, reduce scrap, modernize equipment strategies, and operate as a unified global network. You get to:
- Serve as technical SME for AM93 manufacturing processes, providing expert guidance on thermoforming, RF Welding, material processing, tooling interactions, and process capability improvement.
- Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause investigations involving quality losses, downtime, process variation, yield reduction, scrap generation, and equipment reliability issues.
- Lead process design, validation, capability and optimization, ensuring stable, robust processes that meet throughput, OEE, and Cpk requirements while supporting Air MI network standardization
- Ownership mindset to drive process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives utilizing engineering fundamentals, statistical analysis, experimental design, RCAs, and advancing data‑driven digital and automation solutions to improve OEE, quality rate, performance rate, throughput, and cost performance.
- Oversee process monitoring and troubleshooting, enabling rapid response to abnormalities and improving machine availability through expert understanding of materials, tooling, equipment, and key machine operating parameters
- Ensure documentation creation and validation rigor, including control plans, process specs, validation packages, and standard work in partnership with Air Standards and Quality Systems
- Leverage manufacturing data systems and digital tools to identify trends, predict process performance, improve decision-making, and advance data-driven manufacturing practices.
- Establish and maintain process standards, including process specifications, control plans, standard work, validation protocols, engineering documentation, and best practices.
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
- At least 6 years in process engineering within high-volume manufacturing (Plastics, Semiconductor, Technology, or Food & Beverage)
- Bachelor's degree in plastics, chemical, mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering (or equivalent combination of education/experience)
- Experience with process simulation/optimization/digital twin technology
- Knowledge of Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing methodologies
- Statistical modeling/analysis and experience with process capability (Cpk) and statistical process control concepts
- Experience troubleshooting complex manufacturing equipment using mechanical, process, and automation fundamentals
- Experience with PFMEA and process validations
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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