NXT Space explores the future of sport through radical imagination and barrier breaking innovation. We exist to cultivate extraordinary possibility for athletes.

Formally known as Nike’s Innovation Kitchen, NXT Space is one of the world’s foremost innovation laboratories exploring revolutionary platforms and strategic products. A playground where a diverse cohort of designers, engineers, risk takers and visionaries draft game changing futures for product performance, experience and manufacturing.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

This role will report to the Senior Design Innovation Manager in the Innovation Space Kitchen while regularly partnering with cross functional teams across innovation, design, engineering, materials, sports researchers and development. You may also engage with athletes* and collaborate with external vendor and factory partners.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
 

We are seeking an outstanding Senior Designer in the Innovation Space Kitchen to combine their footwear design experience, innovative problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial leadership to help shape the future of sport.

WHAT YOU BRING

• BA/BFA/MA/MFA (preferred), in Industrial Design, Product Design, Fashion Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
• Minimum of 5-7 years relevant Design work experience in a related field
• Well-curated portfolio showcasing a variety of projects that demonstrate your personal methodology for research, inspiration, design development, problem solving and final execution.
• 10% travel

Portfolio:

• Examples of working from a brief to completion/commercialization.

• Examples of self-initiated innovation and your entrepreneurial spirit.

• Examples of in-depth research leading to new opportunities.

• Examples of working directly with a diverse range of consumers/athletes.

• Examples of strong project management skills with the ability to track to key dates and deliverables.

Approach + Behaviors

• Self-starter with a bias for curiosity, action, and a proactive approach to learning and exploring.

• A collaborative team player who values transparency, builds trust, and fosters strong partnerships with the design team and cross-functional teams.

• Proven ability to independently manage and lead projects and initiatives

• Thrives in ambiguity, working independently with minimal guidance while maintaining open communication and a partnership-oriented mindset.

• Demonstrates self-awareness, with the confidence to ask hard questions and the humility to incorporate constructive feedback into their process.

Skills

• Advanced product designer with the ability to ideate, generate, develop, and execute original designs, balancing performance, fit, feel, form, function, and environmental footprint while incorporating feedback to enhance innovation, performance, and style.

• Entrepreneurial spirit with a holistic perspective across product design and business, identifying opportunities to disrupt

• Stays connected to sport, cultural, and societal insights, translating them into future concepts that align with the brand’s vision

• Expertise in advanced product construction, including part drawings, 2D documentation, 3D technologies, materials, manufacturing processes, and sustainability principles.

• Advanced knowledge of product design and product development, with ability to partner with internal and external partners (development, engineering, manufacture for design, testing, athlete research) and own the design process to ensure that project standards are met.

• Advanced skills in Illustrator, Photoshop, Miro, and Keynote

• Familiarity with advanced digital tools, computational design, 3D skills and AI is a plus

• Strong storytelling and communication skills with the ability to prepare and deliver compelling presentations to different audiences.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

If this is you, you’ll focus on being an entrepreneurial designer, driving self-generated future concepts, proposing new opportunities, and pitching innovative ideas to shape the future of the brand.

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.