About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is about leading the development of footwear materials at Nike, focusing on turning design ideas into practical, market-ready products. It's a senior individual contributor position that involves collaboration with various teams and mentoring junior developers, requiring both technical expertise and strong communication skills.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have at least 6 years of experience in footwear materials and product creation, along with a background in materials science or engineering. They should be collaborative, detail-oriented, and comfortable working under pressure.

Worth noting

The role emphasizes sustainability and requires a balance of technical and interpersonal skills, which may be challenging for those who prefer strictly technical roles. The position is based in Beaverton, Oregon, which may not appeal to everyone.

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.

Aplyr's read

Nike is a global leader in sportswear, attracting talent passionate about innovation, design, and athletic culture.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Nike's strong brand reputation offers job security and industry recognition.
•Innovative product lines provide opportunities for creative professionals.
•Global presence enables diverse career paths across regions and functions.

What to watch

•Highly competitive environment may lead to high pressure and stress.
•Complex corporate structure can slow decision-making processes.
•Sustainability challenges persist despite ongoing initiatives.

Why Nike

•Nike's culture emphasizes sports and innovation, appealing to athletic enthusiasts.
•The company's collaborations with athletes and designers create unique product offerings.
•Nike's investment in technology and digital marketing sets it apart in retail.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Nike

Nike

nike.com

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NKE$45.96+4.55%

Nike, Inc. is a multinational corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories. It is one of the world's largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel.