Director, Footwear Research, Nike Sport Research Lab - Innovation

Nike Inc; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 200,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike Inc seeks a Director to lead the NSRL Footwear Research team, guiding a group of technical biomechanics experts to turn research insights into strategic product concepts while upholding research integrity and aligning with business needs.

You will partner with Principal Researchers to steer interdisciplinary projects, manage timelines, and communicate findings to diverse audiences. This role reports to the Sr. Director, Applied Footwear Research.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Deep understanding of footwear science and ability to turn research insights into program or product concepts.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams, aligning stakeholders, delivering projects under aggressive timelines.
• Balance research integrity with business needs and communicate complex science to nontechnical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of technical biomechanics researchers, setting goals and guiding methodologies.
• Report to the Sr. Director, Footwear Research, and align crossfunctional disciplines within NSRL.
• Manage testing and research requests with Principal Researchers to tune concepts, components, and prototypes.
• Oversee internal and external research addressing critical questions for product creation teams.

Skills

Leadership

Biomechanics

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Education

Master's degree in human movement science / biomechanics / related field

Job description

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

The Nike Sport Research Lab is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, innovators, and scientists who lead with science to make athletes* measurably better. The NSRL Footwear Research team conducts research that provides insights leading to innovative footwear and measurable benefits for athlete. This Director manages researchers and collaborates with Innovation Product Creation, Mechanical and Materials Testing, technical teams, stakeholders, and external research partners. You will report in to the Sr. Director, Applied Footwear Research.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Nike is looking for a versatile, creative leader with deep expertise in footwear science, research methods, and advanced data analysis tools, who will help shape product innovations across sport. You will lead a research team of technical biomechanics experts who turn complex research insights into clear strategies, validated assessments, and actionable product concepts. You will bring the scientific judgment to protect research integrity while responding to business and product creation needs. You will partner with Principal Researchers to lead interdisciplinary teams through aggressive timelines, align stakeholders around a shared vision, and communicate technical findings to diverse, nontechnical audiences. You will build strong relationships, set priorities, and create the conditions for researchers and partners to deliver their best work.

What you bring:

• Master’s degree in human movement science, biomechanics, kinesiology, engineering, biomedical engineering, ergonomics, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Deep understanding of footwear science and demonstrated ability to turn research insights into program or product concepts.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams, aligning stakeholders, and delivering projects or products on aggressive timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to balance research integrity with business needs and communicate complex scientific subjects to nontechnical audiences

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

You will lead a team of technical biomechanics experts, aligning work within collaborative research programs that turns scientific insight into better footwear. You will set priorities, align partners, and help build the research capabilities needed to advance high-performance product.

• You will manage and mentor a team of technical researchers, including setting business goals, advance skills and methodologies, and support career development.
• You will report to the Sr. Director, Footwear research, and help set strategy, communicate progress against initiatives, and serve as a link between cross-functional disciplines within the Sport Research Lab.
• In partnership with our Principal Researchers, you will manage testing and research requests and prioritize work where scientific insights can help teams tune concepts, components, and prototypes.
• You will oversee internal and external research that answers critical questions for product creation teams.

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.