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 Chemical Engineer joins the Footwear Innovation team in Busan, Korea, collaborating with a global network of engineers, product developers, and manufacturing partners. Reporting to the Director of Chemical Engineering Innovation in Busan, this role operates in a highly matrixed environment with internal and external stakeholders.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike is seeking a seasoned chemical engineering professional who brings deep technical expertise and a collaborative mindset to the Footwear Innovation team. This individual excels at translating complex scientific concepts into actionable solutions and is recognized for their ability to lead moderately complex projects from concept to execution. Effective communication and networking skills are essential, as the role requires frequent collaboration with internal teams, external partners, and manufacturing stakeholders. Professionalism, data-driven decision-making, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are key attributes. Familiarity with sustainability practices and compliance with restricted substances is highly valued, as is the ability to apply scientific methodologies and tools to drive innovation in footwear materials and processes.
• Open to work in Busan, Korea
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in chemical/material engineering (footwear preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Demonstrate a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles, with hands-on experience in rubber, foam, thermoplastics, adhesives, bonding processes, and upper materials
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to lead moderately complex initiatives
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
You’ll drive medium- and long-term chemical and material R&D for innovation programs, ensuring technology advancements are grounded in scientific rigor and aligned with Nike’s performance and sustainability goals.
• Develop project plans for new chemical technologies and optimize processes with global teammates
• Consult on material selection, product construction, and manufacturability of innovative footwear materials
• Validate chemical engineering designs to proven standards before transition to production
• Collaborate with inline teams and offshore manufacturing to ensure performance integrity
• Address durability, performance, manufacturability, sustainability, and IP considerations in all projects
• Coordinate research activities with internal teams, vendors, and factory partners
• Communicate progress and critical updates to stakeholders, simplifying complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
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.
