Lead Materials Innovator Footwear, Innovation

Nike • Beaverton, OR

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Our Lead Materials Innovator sits within Nike Footwear Innovation, partnering with cross‑functional leaders across Product Development, Digital Innovation, Engineering, Manufacturing, Design, IP, and Legal. The team connects deep materials expertise with future‑focused product creation, collaborating closely with global testing, chemical engineering, and external supplier partners. This role reports to the Footwear Materials Director and has no direct reports. We are looking for a curious, driven materials expert who thrives at the intersection of science, creativity, and product. They bring a strong foundation in polymers and soft materials, paired with the ability to turn insight into action. This person is comfortable navigating ambiguity, leading technical problem‑solving, and shaping new material concepts from early research through application. They communicate with clarity and influence, translating complex material behavior into decisions that move teams forward. A collaborative mindset is essential, as the role works closely with internal partners and external suppliers to define standards, protect innovation, and unlock new capabilities for the future of footwear.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Engineering, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
• Minimum 3-5 years relevant work experience preferred (academic or industrial)
• Ability to ideate and create innovative engineering concepts in an R&D environment
• Experience working and communicating directly with internal and external (e.g., commercial raw material suppliers, engineering consulting firms, equipment manufacturers, etc.…) partners
• Strong communication and presentation skills for a wide and diverse audience
• Self-motivated, able to execute in an ambiguous environment, and drive projects forward in pursuit of data driven decision making
• Ability to work with moderate guidance and effectively keep senior management informed of both progress and challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Passion for Nike brand and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of applicable test methods, structure property relationships, and polymer / formulated goods manufacturing processes, a plus
• Experience with consumer product development, with footwear products preferred
• Knowledge of sustainability best practices including lifecycle assessments, a plus

Responsibilities

• Generating ideas
• Solving complex material, process and application problems to enable new products for the future of footwear
• Continually research and analyze new material technology opportunities in the marketplace
• Leveraging existing tools to facilitate data informed decisions
• Collaborating with other technical experts
• Participating in ideation sessions
• Material testing and evaluations
• Working with suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Material research

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees