WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This role sits within Nike’s Category Engineering team—a collective of developers, engineers and innovators obsessed with raising the bar of footwear product excellence. The Lead Engineer reports into Category leadership, partners closely with Design, Marketing, Product Creation and Innovation teams, and collaborates daily with both onshore and offshore engineering partners to bring bold ideas to life.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike is looking for a Lead Product Engineer who blends technical mastery with curiosity, creativity and a maker’s mindset. This person thrives at the intersection of design, engineering and manufacturing—someone who can translate imagination into buildable solutions without losing sight of craft, cost or performance. They bring deep understanding of both upper and mold engineering, an ability to interpret complex technical drawings, and the confidence to guide teams through ambiguity with clear, data‑driven direction.
They excel at problem solving, anticipate manufacturing risks early, and bring a multi‑solution viewpoint to challenges. They think globally, collaborating seamlessly with overseas factory partners while keeping sustainability and efficiency at the forefront. They’re also a teacher—someone junior engineers look to for context, clarity and mentorship as they grow in their craft.
Required Qualifications
- 6 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or R&D; open to work in multiple Nike locations as needed
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
- Experience in footwear product fabrication, pattern engineering, tooling and manufacturing processes
- Proficiency with 2D/3D CAD/CAM tools and pattern engineering software
- Strong creative problem‑solving and communication skills
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
You’ll lead engineering excellence from concept through creation—turning early ideas into manufacturable, high‑quality products built for athletes everywhere.
Core Responsibilities
- Partner with Category, Design, Innovation and Product Creation teams to shape construction approaches and tooling solutions
- Evaluate early design concepts to flag and resolve manufacturing, costing or material challenges
- Collaborate with offshore factory partners to refine processes, test prototypes and develop new materials and fabrication techniques
- Interpret and translate technical drawings, sketches and digital 3D files into actionable engineering direction
- Analyze process data to create and refine product specifications
- Mentor junior engineers on best practices, manufacturing procedures and technical decision‑making
- Drive alignment across cross‑functional teams, ensuring clarity, quality and timely execution throughout the product creation cycle
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.
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.
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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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