NIKE, Inc. is seeking a Principal Controls Engineer to join Advanced Product Ventures and help develop the next generation of powered athlete products.
Who You’ll Work With
This role sits at the center of a multidisciplinary team developing powered athlete products. The Principal Controls Engineer will partner with controls, firmware, hardware, sports science, and product teams to bring intelligent mechatronic systems to life. This individual will provide technical leadership, influence product direction, and collaborate across research and engineering functions to deliver breakthrough athlete experiences.
Who We Are Looking For
Nike is seeking a seasoned controls expert who thrives in ambiguity and is energized by transforming advanced concepts into commercial-grade products. The ideal candidate has deep experience in real-time control systems, embedded software, machine intelligence, and human-in-the-loop product development, with a strong track record of shipping complex electromechanical products.
- Open to work in Beaverton, Oregon; in-person required.
- 10+ years of experience with a Master’s degree, or 7+ years of experience with a PhD, in controls engineering, robotics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Controls Engineering, or a related field. Suitable combinations of education, experience, and training will be considered.
- Demonstrated expertise in Model Predictive Control (MPC), Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, embedded controls, and machine learning systems.
- Experience deploying real-time algorithms in C/C++, leading technical programs, and building commercial electromechanical products.
What You’ll Work On
You will define how powered athlete products sense, decide, and act in real time. Working from early concepts through commercialization, you will develop advanced control systems, build intelligent embedded solutions, and collaborate with partners to create responsive, safe, and athlete-centered experiences.
- Develop and deploy real-time control algorithms on resource-constrained embedded hardware.
- Apply MPC, LQR, Kalman filtering, sensor fusion, data-driven control, and learning-based control to complex product challenges.
- Design systems that predict athlete intent and gait from noisy sensor inputs and translate those insights into precise motor behavior.
- Partner with firmware, hardware, product, and sports science teams to validate solutions through laboratory, simulation, and on-body testing.
- Build custom simulation environments, data analysis pipelines, automation tools, and development workflows.
- Advance embedded machine learning capabilities and edge-based intelligence.
- Establish performance metrics, monitor system behavior, identify improvement opportunities, and drive enhancements across the product lifecycle.
NIKE, Inc. offers a generous total rewards package, a casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and professional development opportunities. NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and provides interview accommodations and reasonable modifications for candidates with disabilities.