You will collaborate across Product Creation, Innovation, Chemical Engineering, Tooling Engineering, Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Demand & Capacity, and manufacturing partner teams. The role is expected to act as the engineering leader to bridge between product creation, factory execution, capability development, and manufacturing system readiness. This role will be based out of Kanchipuram, India.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FORWe are looking for a technically strong footwear manufacturing engineer who can combine hands-on process knowledge with structured engineering methods, pattern making, tooling design, factory execution discipline, and enterprise-level collaboration. The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between the sample room, production floor, technical reviews, and leadership discussions.
Any Bachelor’s degree in Footwear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or related engineering / technical discipline; advanced technical education is preferred.
12+ years of experience in footwear manufacturing engineering, pattern making, process engineering, product development, commercialization, or manufacturing capability building.
Experience in footwear manufacturing environments across sample, trial, Pattern Engineering, commercialization, and production environment.
Experience in Project Management and Storytelling.
Strong understanding of footwear construction, bottom tooling, upper engineering, bonding systems, assembly flow, manufacturing methods, materials behavior, and quality-critical process parameters.
Demonstrated ability to diagnose manufacturability risks, convert technical issues into corrective actions, and scale engineering solutions across factory environments.
Experience using data, statistical thinking, root-cause analysis, DoE, FMEA, process capability, control plans, and structured problem-solving methods to improve manufacturing outcomes.
Ability to partner with cross-functional teams and factory leadership to evaluate new technologies, standardize best practices, and improve production readiness.
Strong communication skills in English, with proficiency in MS Office and business intelligence / data visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent.
Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, FMEA, process capability, measurement systems, standard work, and factory quality systems.
Experience with automation, modernization, digital manufacturing, manufacturing systems, or advanced tooling is an advantage.
Ability to work across cultures, influence without direct authority, and lead complex technical discussions with factory and enterprise teams.
Provide technical leadership to ensure manufacturing partners meet Nike’s strategic goals, quality expectations, and engineering readiness requirements.
Lead manufacturability reviews for new products, constructions, materials, and manufacturing methods; identify risks early and influence corrective action before scale-up.
Collaborate with Manufacturing Systems Engineering and factory teams to drive global strategic initiatives, pilot new capabilities, and define implementation requirements.
Develop, validate, and standardize engineering best practices on the factory floor, including process parameters, standard work, control plans, and capability checks.
Use data-driven engineering methods to improve process stability, reduce rework / rejects, strengthen the performance, and improve production readiness.
Participate in product tear-down meetings and technical reviews to provide manufacturing feedback on construction, tooling, materials, process sequence, and quality risks.
Drive structured problem solving for complex manufacturing issues, including root-cause analysis, experiment planning, corrective actions, and preventive actions.
Support the scale-up of innovative manufacturing methods and technologies by assessing feasibility, process capability, operator readiness, equipment requirements, and risk controls.
Build future-ready engineering capability within manufacturing teams through coaching, technical standards, best-practice sharing, and hands-on problem solving.
Influence cross-functional decisions by communicating technical trade-offs clearly across product, engineering, sourcing, factory, and leadership stakeholders.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Footwear, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related engineering discipline
- 12+ years of experience in footwear manufacturing engineering, pattern making, process engineering, product development, commercialization, or manufacturing capability building
- Experience across sample, trial, pattern engineering, commercialization, and production environments in footwear manufacturing
- Experience in project management and storytelling
- Strong understanding of footwear construction, tooling, bonding systems, assembly flow, materials behavior, and quality-critical process parameters
- Ability to diagnose manufacturability risks, implement corrective actions, and scale engineering solutions across factories
- Experience with data-driven methods: statistical thinking, root-cause analysis, DoE, FMEA, process capability, control plans, and structured problem solving
- Proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams and factory leadership to evaluate technologies and improve production readiness
- Strong English communication skills and proficiency in MS Office and business intelligence/data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau or equivalent)
- Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, measurement systems, standard work, and factory quality systems
- Advanced technical education (master's or equivalent)
- Experience with automation, digital manufacturing, manufacturing systems, or advanced tooling
- Ability to work across cultures, influence without direct authority, and lead complex technical discussions
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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