Lead, Energy Whitespace Materials Design

NIKE Retail Services; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike Design in Beaverton, OR seeks a Lead Material and Color Designer for Energy White Space. You will drive material and color language, collaborating with internal teams and external partners from concept through execution.

You will craft a distinctive language across footwear and apparel, contribute to trim and overall design direction, and mentor teammates to elevate the design culture. This role requires strong color/material knowledge and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related field.
• 5–7 years designing footwear, apparel or related products.
• Knowledge of color, materials and form in consumer products.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into product solutions.
• Experience in technical footwear and apparel design.
• Experience in knit design and prototyping is a plus.
• Strong skills in 2D tech packs and accurate drawings.
• Proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator and design tools.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and sustainability is a plus.
• Experience with Keynote/PowerPoint for presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead material and color design for Energy White Space initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners from concept to execution.
• Create a unique material and color language across work and products.
• Contribute to trim creation and design point of view.
• Mentor and onboard design teammates and align with team culture.

Skills

Photoshop

Illustrator

3D design tools

Tech pack drawing

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Color and material knowledge

Knit design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

AI creation tools

Job description

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re seeking an exceptional Lead Material and Color Designer for Energy White Space. At White Space, our mission is to future proof the brand when it comes to design. And for that we need to create products/projects that excite the next generation of top athletes and designers to come work with us to trailblaze and shape the future of Nike Design. Driving edge and innovation for Nike design.

You have a high level of taste and are fluent in different ways of working with high-caliber partners, co-creating and building trust along the way. You’re a curious observer, a problem solver, and a cultural sponge, constantly seeking insights to push material and color to the next level.

With a visionary eye for design and a fearless approach to innovation, you create work that disrupts, excites, and redefines. You think differently. You think conceptually. You thrive in collaboration, seamlessly translating between our world and that of external partners to deliver something entirely new, both in performance and aesthetics.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

You’ll be trailblazing the future of Nike Design , focusing on serving the athlete* within and beyond our usual product propositions while bringing together innovation and cultural relevance.

Working closely with your White Space teammates, the broader internal team, and external partners, you’ll take ideas from concept through execution. You’ll craft a unique material and color language that brings edge and relevance across the work. You’ll also contribute to trim creation , helping to create a holistic design point of view.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

You’ll collaborate with some of the most creative and innovative minds across external partners, internal designers, developers, product managers, and engineers, bringing fresh ideas to life from concept to market.

You’ll take part in conversations that push boundaries. As a key voice in the creative process, you’ll inspire teams and communities while championing innovation at every step.

You will report to the Energy White Space Director .

WHAT YOU WILL BRING?

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, related field, or will accept equivalent combination of education, experience or training
• 5-7 (https://nike.sharepoint.com/:b:/r/teams/na10/taplaybook/TA%20Documents/Nike%20Job%20Leveling%20Criteria%20for%20Corp,%20AirMI,%20DC%20%28with%20US%20job%20posting%20language%29.pdf?csf=1&web=1&e=b5NE3e) years’ experience designing and developing innovative footwear, apparel and other products
• Knowledge of form, color, materials, human factors, related to elevating the consumer experience
• Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives
• Experience in technical footwear and apparel design
• Experience in knit design
• Strong Photoshop, Illustrator, AI creation tools skills
• Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs)
• Prototyping skills are a plus
• 3D design program experience is a plus
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
• Knowledge and experience with sustainable design and manufacturing are a plus
• Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
• Ability and passion to lead, mentor, and onboard Design teammates
• Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviors
• Catalyst to make connections with other Design groups
• Motivated and hardworking about bringing others along
• Extraordinary and humble teammate.
• Collaborator with skill in connecting the dots
• Speaks up with courage for self and the team
• Open-minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view
• True passion for design, problem solving, strategic thinking, and high level of curiosity.