Senior Materials Developer – Energy Footwear (Multiple Openings)

Nike; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike, Inc. is seeking an experienced Materials Development professional for the Energy Footwear Materials Development team in Beaverton, Oregon.

The role leads development and commercialization of innovative material solutions aligned with performance, quality, cost, sustainability, and aesthetics, partnering with design, engineering, sourcing, and manufacturing to scale premium products. The candidate will drive testing, validation, and commercialization from concept to production, manage data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials, Chemistry, or a related field; will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in materials development or material design.
• Deep understanding of material construction, manufacturing processes, and supply chains across textiles, leathers, synthetic leathers, films, fibres, and components.
• Ability to interpret design intent, evaluate testing results, and translate concepts into commercially viable material solutions.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners and manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and product acumen to drive material innovation and product excellence.
• Ability to travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and commercialisation of innovative material solutions that deliver against performance, quality, cost, sustainability, and aesthetic objectives.
• Drive material development, testing, commercialisation, and implementation from concept through production.
• Partner with Product Creation and manufacturing teams to identify risks, resolve material challenges, and enable informed decision‑making throughout the development process.
• Collaborate with Materials, Colour, Graphic, and Product Design partners to execute seasonal material strategies and bring athlete‑focused product stories to life.
• Manage material data integrity within product creation systems, ensuring accurate sourcing, pricing, performance, sustainability, and feasibility information.
• Influence cross‑functional partners to meet key product creation milestones and commercialisation timelines.
• Evaluate material performance and manufacturing feedback to continuously improve product quality and execution.
• Build strong relationships across global teams, suppliers, and factory partners to deliver scalable, high‑quality material solutions.

Skills

Materials development

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Data interpretation

Communication skills

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials or Chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office

Material management systems

Job description

About the Role

The Energy Footwear Materials Development team sits within Nike Sportswear Product Creation and drives material innovation and product excellence across the footwear portfolio. This role partners closely with Product Development, Design, Engineering, Testing, Sourcing, and Supply Chain teams, as well as global manufacturing partners, to bring premium footwear concepts to life. The position leads the development and commercialisation of innovative material solutions that deliver against performance, quality, cost, sustainability, and aesthetic objectives. The role works across design, development, sourcing, and manufacturing teams to bring premium products to market on time and at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and commercialisation of innovative material solutions that deliver against performance, quality, cost, sustainability, and aesthetic objectives.
• Drive material development, testing, commercialisation, and implementation from concept through production.
• Partner with Product Creation and manufacturing teams to identify risks, resolve material challenges, and enable informed decision‑making throughout the development process.
• Collaborate with Materials, Colour, Graphic, and Product Design partners to execute seasonal material strategies and bring athlete‑focused product stories to life.
• Manage material data integrity within product creation systems, ensuring accurate sourcing, pricing, performance, sustainability, and feasibility information.
• Influence cross‑functional partners to meet key product creation milestones and commercialisation timelines.
• Evaluate material performance and manufacturing feedback to continuously improve product quality and execution.
• Build strong relationships across global teams, suppliers, and factory partners to deliver scalable, high‑quality material solutions.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials, Chemistry, or a related field; will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in materials development or material design.
• Deep understanding of material construction, manufacturing processes, and supply chains across textiles, leathers, synthetic leathers, films, fibres, and components.
• Ability to interpret design intent, evaluate testing results, and translate concepts into commercially viable material solutions.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners and manage multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and product acumen to drive material innovation and product excellence.
• Ability to travel.

Preferred Skills

• Strong digital proficiency with Microsoft Office and material management systems.

The Application Process

The interview process offers accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

1. Accommodations available include screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single‑location in‑person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed.
2. Candidates who need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability can complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.