WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This role sits within Nike’s Materials Development function, partnering closely with Product Management, Product Development, Design, Engineering, Product Testing, Planning, and Supply Chain. The Lead Materials Developer works cross-functionally across Energy Footwear, collaborates directly with external material vendors, and mentors junior materials developers while reporting into senior materials leadership.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike is looking for a seasoned footwear materials leader who thrives at the intersection of craft, performance, and possibility. This person brings deep technical fluency in footwear materials and manufacturing, paired with the ability to translate design ambition into scalable, commercial reality. They lead with clarity, anticipate risk, and use data, testing, and consumer insight to guide smart material decisions. Just as critical, they know how to build trust-across product creation teams and with external partners-by communicating clearly, mentoring others, and driving solutions forward under pressure. This role requires someone equally comfortable in the lab, with vendors, and in cross-functional working sessions, always with the athlete and consumer at the center.
- Open to work in Beaverton, OR
- Minimum 6 years of direct experience in footwear materials and product creation
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Footwear Design, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
- Proven experience collaborating with external manufacturing partners and vendors
- Demonstrated people leadership, mentoring, or team management experience
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
You’ll lead materials development for some of Nike Energy Footwear’s most visible and demanding projects, driving material readiness from early concept through commercialization. Your work ensures materials deliver on design intent, performance, cost, quality, and sustainability-on time and at scale.
- Lead the end-to-end materials creation process, from concept development through commercial readiness
- Partner daily with Design, Product Development, Engineering, Testing, Planning, and Sourcing teams to deliver aligned solutions
- Translate 2D design intent into 3D material executions that meet athlete, consumer, and business needs
- Manage prototypes, samples, and lab testing, interpreting results to resolve performance and quality challenges
- Drive material strategies across palettes, sustainability initiatives, and product creation tools
- Collaborate directly with vendors to ensure technical feasibility, pricing alignment, and scalable manufacturing routes
- Maintain clear documentation and material data to support commercialization and long-term supply chain success
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.
