At Academy Sports + Outdoors our vision is to be the best sports + outdoors retailer in the country — but what truly sets us apart is our people. We’re a passionate, purpose-driven team that’s as committed to each other as we are to our customers.
We’ve spent over 80 years building a culture that puts people first. We believe in creating opportunities for growth, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting every Team Member’s journey. What fuels us? Our belief in the power of fun.
Here, you won’t just help customers gear up for their next adventure — you’ll launch one of your own. Whether you're starting out or leveling up, Academy is a place where fun can’t lose!
In this role, you help shape distribution operations by turning engineering analysis into practical improvements that reduce cost and improve profitability. Your work supports ASO strategy through business justification, capital investment analysis, and cross-functional projects that bring retail industry concepts into the distribution center environment. You evaluate material handling processes, MHE utilization, preventive maintenance programs, and automation opportunities so teams can make informed decisions about performance, cost, and operational flow.
Working across project design and execution, you develop business cases and ROI analyses, support material handling and automation capital projects, and participate in system design reviews, design validation, and vendor evaluations. You draft sketches, samples, technical documentation, user manuals, and written analyses of proposed designs or improvements, then estimate material needs, costs, and timelines. Your work also includes facilitating installation, testing, debugging, commissioning, startup activities, and operational ramp-up while continuing to assess new processes and confirm desired results were achieved.
Who You Will Work WithYou collaborate with vendors, engineers, DC leadership, DC maintenance, senior leaders, DC Directors, business leaders, and cross-functional team members. Through those partnerships, you help define material, conveyance, transport, handling, automation, and performance needs while translating data gathering, synthesis, modeling, problem solving, and recommendations into action.
You also support the growth of others by mentoring entry level engineers and DC managers. The role calls for clear technical reporting, formal presentations, and communication that helps senior managers and operating teams understand proposed changes, project plans, baseline analyses, and operational improvement initiatives.
What You BringBring your energy, your ideas, and your love for sports and the outdoors.
Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or relevant field of study required
7+ years of related distribution operations and mechanical or industrial engineering experience
5+ years of retail industry experience preferred
3+ years of experience with MOST Robotics Warehousing Systems or DC automation preferred
Six Sigma Green Belt preferred
Strategic thinker and leader with ability to understand business strategy provide consultative analysis and recommend insightful effective solutions
Demonstrated strength in problem solving and analytics and capable of driving insights to actions
Self motivated and eager to succeed with the ability to drive for results and influence senior managers DC Directors and business leaders
Ability to proficiently utilize AutoCAD
Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively create technical reports and make formal presentations based on findings
Change management skills
A team-first attitude; while your core duties are your priority, you're happy to step in wherever you're needed
Up to 15% travel
Adhere to company work hours policies procedures and rules governing professional staff behavior
Develops a thorough understanding of Academy policies procedures and safety rules
Duties may change and Team Members may be required to perform other duties as assigned
Regular in-office attendance is required
Acceptable level of hearing and vision to perform job duties
Ability to adhere to company policies and professional standards
Process Improvement, Project and Program Management, Strategic Analytics, Automated Processes, Engineering Expertise, Inventory Management and Warehousing, Analysis and Reporting
Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate with regard to employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a relevant field
- 7+ years of related distribution operations and mechanical or industrial engineering experience
- 5+ years of retail industry experience
- 3+ years of experience with MOST Robotics Warehousing Systems or distribution center automation
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Ability to proficiently utilize AutoCAD
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to provide consultative analysis and recommend effective solutions
- Ability to drive results and influence senior managers, DC directors, and business leaders
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to create technical reports and deliver formal presentations
- Change management skills
- Regular in-office attendance
Academy Sports + Outdoors Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Academy Sports + Outdoors and has not been reviewed or approved by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
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Retirement Support — A dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 6% and an employee stock purchase plan are consistently presented as core strengths. These features stand out within big-box retail and are frequently highlighted as valuable parts of total compensation.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — A 20% merchandise discount, pay-on-demand access to wages, and tuition reimbursement provide tangible everyday value. Onsite gym access in Katy corporate/DC locations and vendor discount networks further enhance lifestyle perks.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, paid holidays, and defined maternity and parental leave are part of the standard package. Materials also indicate PTO availability for some part-time store roles in certain situations.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Insights
What We Do
At Academy Sports + Outdoors, we believe in the power of fun. And we believe in helping our customers have more of it. With a wide assortment of sporting and outdoors gear, Academy offers the best brands under one roof — curated to make the most of every budget. Day in and day out, our 20,000+ Team Members bring a sense of adventure, energy, and passion to work. Understanding our people and the things that matter to them has been at the core of Academy culture for over 80 years. We take pride in creating a workplace that values hard work, commitment, growth, and of course, FUN. Academy — headquartered in Katy, TX, a suburb of Houston — is one of the nation’s largest sporting goods and outdoor stores. We offer a broad assortment of quality hunting, fishing, and camping equipment and gear, as well as sports and leisure products, footwear, apparel, and much more. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to a wide network of stores across many states, with $6.8 billion in annual revenue.
