Job description

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH The Energy Footwear Materials Development team sits within Nike Sportswear Product Creation and drives material innovation and product excellence across the footwear portfolio. In this role, you ll partner 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. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are seeking a talented, passionate, and influential Senior Materials Developer with the technical expertise to elevate product excellence through materials. This individual combines strong material knowledge with creative problem-solving to translate design intent into scalable solutions. They thrive in fast-paced environments, build trust across cross-functional teams, and effectively balance innovation, performance, cost, quality, and sustainability throughout the product creation process. 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, fibers, 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. Strong digital proficiency with Microsoft Office and material management systems preferred. Ability to travel. WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON As a member of the Energy Materials Development team, you will lead the development and commercialization of innovative material solutions that deliver against performance, quality, cost, sustainability, and aesthetic objectives. You ll partner across design, development, sourcing, and manufacturing teams to bring premium products to market on time and at scale. Drive material development, testing, commercialization, 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, Color, 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 commercialization 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. 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 .

Requirements

Must-haves

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, fibers, 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.
Drive material development, testing, commercialization, 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, Color, 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 commercialization 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.

Nice-to-haves

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

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: workday
Effort: long