Lead Technical Designer, Global Apparel (Multiple Openings)

Nike • Beaverton, OR

6d

About The Position

The Lead Technical Designer works across either Sportswear or Basketball, partnering closely with Design, Product Management, Product Creation Centers, Materials, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams. The role leads the technical design and execution of complex men’s and/or women’s apparel, translating consumer insight and design intent into technically sound, commercially viable, and manufacturable products. The position owns fit, construction, and technical execution from concept through commercialization while balancing quality, performance, sustainability, profitability, and critical development timelines. The designer also establishes standards, mitigates development risks, and supports continuous improvement in product creation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in apparel design, textile science, or a related field; suitable combinations of education, experience, and training will be accepted.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant apparel technical design or product creation experience.
• Advanced expertise in apparel fit, patternmaking, grading, construction, specifications, and manufacturing methods.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel up to 10% domestically and internationally.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to interpret design intent, develop technical solutions, and influence cross-functional decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple complex products against critical development timelines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Optitex.
• Experience with 3D apparel development platforms such as CLO or Browzwear.

Responsibilities

• Own fit, construction, and technical execution from concept through commercialization, delivering against key dates, quality, performance, sustainability, and profitability goals.
• Create and maintain technical documentation for complex apparel, including product specifications, patterns, and prototype notes.
• Establish fit and construction standards that improve consistency, product quality, and manufacturability.
• Lead prototyping, identify development risks, and solve technical and manufacturing challenges while protecting product integrity.
• Partner with Design, Product Management, and Product Creation Centers to translate creative intent and consumer insights into commercial product.
• Collaborate with Materials, Manufacturing, factory vendors, and other cross-functional partners to improve product quality, construction, and manufacturability.
• Apply consumer, market, technology, and business insights to influence product decisions, drive continuous improvement, and elevate technical capability across the team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior