Principal Engineering Technician - Bowerman Footwear Lab

Nike; Oregon, Beaverton (IL, OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike's Bowerman Footwear Lab seeks a Principal FW Molded Component Engineering Technician to enhance footwear manufacturing. This role involves project execution, technical expertise in materials, and effective communication within cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates are self-starters with strong problem-solving skills and relevant experience in manufacturing.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in low-volume manufacturing with materials like plastics and foams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration of machinery.
• Collaborate with teams to drive project completion and troubleshoot mechanical issues.
• Document processes and communicate technical information to stakeholders.

Skills

Critical thinking

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education

Engineering or technical degree

Tools

Miro

Airtable

Job description

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

You will interact with partners across the BFL and externally, including Nike's Global Footwear, Footwear Innovation, Design, Athlete Services, Materials Development, Footwear Product Testing, Engineering, and Product Development teams.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Bowerman Footwear Lab (BFL) is a hub for Creation, Collaboration, and Education within the Nike Footwear community. We seek a Principal FW Molded Component Engineering Technician passionate about athletic footwear, committed to high performance and sustainable manufacturing standards. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment, is an engineering technician eager to grow and innovate, and is a strong team player capable of multitasking across processes.

• Self-starter who identifies process improvements and proposes innovative solutions, adaptable to changing project needs.
• Critical thinker with analytical skills for process evaluation and enhancement, with a focus on project management and teamwork.
• Comfortable in a hands-on environment with basic knowledge of E2E footwear creation, R&D process engineering, and small-scale manufacturing.

Additional requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education, experience, or training.
• At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Engineering or technical degree in a related field, or minimum of 3 years of direct experience.
• Experience in a fast-paced, low-volume manufacturing environment, familiar with processing materials such as plastics, foams, polyurethane, rubber, and composites.
• Effective project management skills, including experience with software like Miro and Airtable.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As a Principal FW Molded Component Engineering Technician, you will be a key member of the Molded Component Center (MCC), supporting the strategy of the Bowerman Footwear Lab and MCC. Your responsibilities include overseeing maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration of machinery to ensure reliable manufacturing operations, including:

• Lead Project Execution: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate project goals into actionable steps, drive project completion, and troubleshoot mechanical issues with the BFL maintenance team.

• Technical Expertise: Apply knowledge of processing plastics, rubber, composites, and foams in footwear manufacturing to produce high-quality molded components.

• Communication and Documentation: Convey technical information and procedures to stakeholders, and document processes, project outcomes, and lessons learned throughout project lifecycles.

We provide accommodations for our interview process, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible locations, closed captioning, and other modifications. If you need assistance or accommodations due to a disability during the application process, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.