NIKE, Inc

Expert Designer, Tennis Apparel Product Design

NIKE, Inc$90K — $130K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in performance apparel design and prototyping across sport and lifestyle.
  • Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Advanced expertise in silhouette development, fit strategy, garment construction, and material integration.
  • Strong understanding of performance apparel systems and athlete-informed design.
  • Hands-on experience with both digital and physical prototyping tools.

Responsibilities

  • Lead Tennis Apparel product creation and contribute to seasonal creative direction.
  • Design and prototype apparel across Nike Tennis, including elite athlete collections.
  • Translate design concepts into buildable silhouettes and premium finishes.
  • Drive innovation in fit, performance, and athlete-specific solutions.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners to align insights and performance requirements.
  • Mentor designers and provide creative leadership across projects.
  • Shape the future of Nike Tennis through innovative design and product excellence.

Benefits

  • Collaborative, cross-functional work environment.
  • Opportunities for mentoring and creative leadership.
  • Access to cutting-edge innovation and materials.
  • Chance to shape premium apparel experiences for elite athletes.
Full Job Description
We're looking for an Expert, Apparel Designer for the Nike Tennis Design team. This is a Creative Expert role that is deeply focused on craft, problem solving, and design execution. You will create the future of Nike Tennis and bring the brand's creative vision to life by designing product that delivers athlete-right, industry-leading solutions across Nike Team and top-tier athlete collections. Candidates need to have a strong understanding of the apparel landscape across performance and sportswear, as well as market, athlete, and consumer insights. Deep knowledge of technical apparel design, construction, materials, and product innovation is essential. The ideal candidate is a master of creative direction, trend, and strategic thinking, with the ability to translate vision into premium performance product. The Expert Designer, Nike Tennis Apparel Design leads the creation of Tennis Apparel platforms and seasonal innovation. You will translate creative concepts into silhouettes, construction, material systems, and product identities that elevate performance, craftsmanship, and athlete expression. The ideal candidate is a hands-on innovator with deep expertise in apparel design, prototyping, and technical product creation. You are a problem solver, collaborator, and design leader who moves fluidly between conceptual thinking, athlete insight, and technical execution. This role will help define the future of Nike Tennis by creating premium product systems across: • Elite athlete collections • Performance innovation platforms • Seasonal narratives and material innovation In this role, you will shape the future of Nike Tennis through innovative apparel design, creating new standards of fit, silhouette, construction, and performance across the world's premier tennis athletes and tournaments. You will: • Lead Tennis Apparel product creation and contribute to seasonal creative direction and design strategy. • Design and prototype apparel across the Tennis ecosystem, including Nike Team, Nike Lab, and elite athlete collections. • Translate early design concepts into buildable silhouettes, construction methods, material systems, and premium finishes. • Drive innovation in fit, performance, craftsmanship, and athlete-specific solutions. • Collaborate with cross-functional partners to align athlete insights, performance requirements, manufacturing capabilities, and commercial objectives. • Partner with Material Design, Color Design, Graphics, Innovation, Development, Product Management, and Engineering to create elevated product experiences. • Support seasonal product creation by delivering athlete-tested, consumer-ready collections that balance innovation, premium execution, and scalability. • Contribute to Tennis design standards, construction principles, fit strategy, and product innovation frameworks. • Mentor designers and provide creative leadership across projects and product initiatives. • Partner with Design Leadership and cross-functional teams to execute strategic priorities and elevate the overall creative vision for Nike Tennis. • Your core objective is to achieve product excellence by collaborating across the product creation process and bringing the future vision of Nike Tennis Apparel to life through innovative, athlete-right design. WHAT YOU BRING • 10+ years of experience in performance apparel design and prototyping across sport and lifestyle. • Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training. • Advanced expertise in silhouette development, fit strategy, garment construction, and material integration. • Strong understanding of performance apparel systems, athlete-informed design, and premium craftsmanship. • Experience working within cross-functional product creation teams, including Design, Development, Innovation, Materials, Color, Graphics, Product Management, and Engineering. • Hands-on experience with both digital and physical prototyping tools. • Proven ability to lead complex design projects from concept through commercialization. • Strong presentation, storytelling, and communication skills. • Demonstrated ability to mentor teammates and influence creative direction across a design organization. • Deep knowledge of global tennis culture, athlete performance needs, and premium performance apparel is strongly preferred.

About NIKE, Inc

Nike is a sporting goods company that designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. The company offers various categories of shoes including running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired urban shoes, and kids' shoes. It also provides shoes for aquatic activities, baseball, football, cheerleading, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and various athletic and recreational uses. In addition, the company offers sports-inspired lifestyle apparel, athletic bags, and accessory items. Further, it provides a line of performance equipment including bags, socks, sports balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and various equipment designed for sports activities under the NIKE brand name, as well as markets apparel with licensed college and professional team and league logos. Additionally, it offers licenses to produce and sell NIKE brand swimwear, children's apparel, training equipment, eyewear, electronic devices, and golf accessories. The company also markets its products under the brand names of Converse, Chuck Taylor, All Star, One Star, Umbro, Jack Purcell, Cole Haan, Bragano, and Hurley. It sells its products to retail accounts through stores, independent distributors, and licensees, as well as through its Website, nikestore.com. As of May 31, 2009, Nike, Inc. operated 338 retail stores in the United States and 336 retail stores internationally. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Nike Careers

Join the dynamic world of Nike, Inc., a global leader in sports apparel and innovation, where your career can flourish in an environment that fosters diversity, leadership, and growth. At Nike, we believe in bringing out the best in our team members through continuous professional development and a culture that celebrates creativity and innovation. Work You’ll Do Become a part of Nike’s mission to inspire and innovate towards a better world. Engage in work that intersects with cutting-edge technology, market-leading strategies, and sustainable practices that define the future of the sports industry. Lead with us at the forefront of the global marketplace, where your skills in leadership, teamwork, and innovation can shine. Nike offers a unique position in the industry, combining deep industry expertise with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals who are pioneers in their fields. Nike, Inc. employs over 75,000 passionate and talented individuals worldwide, all dedicated to moving the world of sports forward. Introducing Nike’s Professional Growth and Development Opportunities We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can succeed. Nike offers a variety of job opportunities, from in-store retail positions to corporate roles in design, marketing, and technology. Do Innovative Work Join us and contribute to our mission of bringing inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world. (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.) Deliver targeted solutions and drive innovation through your unique perspective and skills. At Nike, Inc., your work directly contributes to our global impact. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in meaningful work that connects with consumers and impacts millions worldwide. Our team benefits from unparalleled capabilities, a commitment to diversity training, and a culture that encourages professional growth and networking. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with Nike’s comprehensive benefits and support systems. We provide extensive training, development programs, and leadership courses to help you reach your full potential. Explore Discover how Nike is leading in sustainable innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sports industry. The Nike Employment Experience Our combined efforts in innovation, culture, and leadership make Nike, Inc. not just a place to work, but a place to grow a rewarding career. Clients and employees alike look to Nike for new strategies and impactful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are always on the lookout for curious, driven, creative, and solution-oriented team players. SEARCH NIKE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Nike, Inc.
Learn more about NIKE, Inc
Size
73,300 employees
Market Cap
$184.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$2.8 billion
Founded
1964
5 Year Trend
+6.3%
Revenue
$38.2 billion
NASDAQ

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