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Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

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, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

The Senior Footwear Materials Developer partners across Product Development, Design, Engineering, Material Planning, and Supply Chain to bring bold ideas to life. They work closely with vendors, category teams, and collaborators to solve problems fast, elevate craft, and deliver materials that move the industry forward.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Nike Sportswear is looking for a builder—someone who sees possibility in every material and knows how to turn a concept into something real, repeatable, and ready for athletes. This person blends deep technical knowledge with creative instincts, acting as the bridge between aesthetic vision and manufacturing reality. They can interpret lab data, navigate complex timelines, and spot risks before they become roadblocks. They lead with clarity, communicate with purpose, and thrive in environments where innovation meets execution.
They understand materials from the inside out: how they’re made, how they behave, and how they can evolve. They bring confidence when presenting solutions, curiosity when exploring new technologies, and a steady hand when working across internal teams and external partners. Most importantly, they know how to keep things moving—ensuring every decision pushes the product, the process, and the team forward.

Required Skills & Experience
  • 5+ years of experience in materials development, chemistry, footwear, apparel, product creation, project management, or innovation
  • Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training
  • Strong knowledge of material manufacturing processes, lab testing, and interpretation of results
  • Experience collaborating with external partners, vendors, or suppliers
  • Proven ability to mentor others and lead through influence

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

You’ll turn ideas into material solutions—from first concept to commercial readiness. You’ll create clarity, drive execution, and ensure that every material meets Nike’s standards for performance, sustainability, and craft.

Key Responsibilities
  • Collaborate across product creation, design, sourcing, and planning to build best‑in‑class material strategies
  • Manage the full material development cycle—from early exploration to commercialization—with a sharp focus on timelines, cost, quality, and sustainability
  • Partner with vendors to secure feasibility, ensure accurate specs, and troubleshoot technical issues
  • Translate 2D design intent into working 3D samples that meet performance and business goals
  • Track and guide prototypes and samples, driving solutions to material‑related challenges
  • Stay connected to market trends, emerging technologies, and evolving consumer needs
  • Document material updates and ensure the supply chain is set up for smooth, scalable manufacturing

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, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

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What You Can Expect

OUR HIRING GAME PLAN

01 Apply

Our teams are made up of diverse skillsets, knowledge bases, inputs, ideas and backgrounds. We want you to find your fit – review job descriptions, departments and teams to discover the role for you.

02 Meet a Recruiter or Take an Assessment

If selected for a corporate role, a recruiter will reach out to start your interview process and be your main contact throughout the process. For retail roles, you’ll complete an interactive assessment that includes a chat and quizzes and takes about 10-20 minutes to complete.  No matter the role, we want to learn about you – the whole you – so don’t shy away from how you approach world-class service and what makes you unique.

03 Interview

Go into this stage confident by doing your research, understanding what we are looking for and being prepared for questions that are set up to learn more about you, and your background.

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