Lead Material Designer, Running Footwear Materials Design – Create & Expression

NIKE, Inc. is seeking a Lead Material Designer for Nike Running Footwear Materials Design. The role collaborates with Industrial Design, Color Design, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Marketing, and Development teams to bring seasonal creative direction to life through innovative footwear materials design.

Who We Are Looking For

We’re seeking an exceptional Lead Footwear Materials Designer who can blend expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills to shape the future of Nike Footwear Materials. The ideal candidate is an independent leader who drives material design expressions and new creations, balances performance and trend relevance, and creates compelling storytelling and narratives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, Fashion Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Accessory and Footwear Design, or Textile Design; a Master’s degree is also accepted.
• Ideally 4+ years of relevant design experience, with expertise in textile or footwear design.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into compelling narratives and product executions.
• Strong capability to leverage manufacturing processes to develop new ideas, techniques, and materials.
• Experience building 3D samples and crafting mockups by hand.
• Experience collaborating with manufacturing partners to ensure design intent and material execution accuracy.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Ability to manage multiple seasonal projects within tight timelines and limited resources.
• Strong presentation, communication, collaboration, and cross-functional teamwork skills.
• Passion for sport culture, sustainability, and purpose-driven initiatives.

What You Will Work On

You will work across a diverse range of Running products within Create and Expression. Responsibilities include developing technically complex material designs using the latest innovations, curating and elevating existing materials for refresh and collection models, concepting and ideating, finalizing tech packs, collaborating with manufacturing partners, and at times engaging directly with athletes.

NIKE, Inc. offers accommodations throughout the interview process, a generous total rewards package, a casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development. NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.