NIKE, Inc

Principal, Software Engineer

NIKE, Inc$130K — $180K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of software engineering experience; Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent
  • Expert-level proficiency in Swift/SwiftUI, Kotlin/Compose, or modern cross-platform stacks with a strong record of shipping consumer mobile applications at significant scale
  • Deep experience with systems that enable activity apps: Core Location, Core Motion, audio session management
  • At least 5 years architecting companion-device experiences on watchOS and/or Wear OS
  • Working knowledge of health and fitness data platforms and third-party device integrations
  • Deep experience with mobile CI/CD ecosystems and developer experience optimization
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical architecture reviews and influence decisions across teams

Responsibilities

  • Design end-to-end architecture for Nike's activity apps across iOS, Android, and wearables
  • Own the long-term architecture for workout session management, ensuring reliability and data accuracy
  • Lead technical strategy for companion-device experiences on Apple Watch and Wear OS
  • Drive consolidation of legacy code across activity apps for efficiency and reusability
  • Establish models to connect athlete experiences to engineering outcomes
  • Collaborate with Security, Privacy, and Platform teams on data resilience and compliance
  • Mentor senior engineers through design reviews and guidance across squads
  • Champion communities in Mobile Architecture and emerging technology practices

Benefits

  • Generous total rewards package
  • Casual work environment
  • Diverse and inclusive culture
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Accommodations available for interview processes and ongoing employment needs
Full Job Description
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH

The Activity Apps team builds and operates Nike Run Club (NRC) and Nike Training Club (NTC) - the mobile experiences that move millions of Nike athletes through runs, workouts, training plans, and guided coaching every day. This role partners directly with Directors, Architects, Product Managers, Designers, Sport Science, and engineering squads across iOS, Android, wearables, and the backend services that power activity at Nike. This role reports to the Director of Engineering for Activity Apps and collaborates across mobile platform, athlete, coaching content, and developer experience functions globally.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Nike is seeking a Principal Software Engineer who brings architectural depth, technical authority, and a passion for transforming how mobile activity experiences get built at consumer scale. The successful candidate has a proven track record of leading consumer mobile applications, influencing cross-functional technical strategy across iOS and Android, and mentoring senior engineers toward higher standards. This role requires someone who thinks in systems, drives modern mobile development practices, and can bridge long-term platform vision with day-to-day execution. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, takes ownership of the hardest technical problems - the always-on workout session, the sensor that disagrees with itself, the watch that has to keep working when the phone dies - and leaves the apps measurably better than they found them.
  • 10+ years of software engineering experience; Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent combination of education, experience or training
  • Expert-level proficiency in one or more of Swift/SwiftUI, Kotlin/Compose, or modern cross-platform stacks (KMP), with a strong record of shipping consumer mobile applications at significant scale (10M+ MAU)
  • Deep experience with the systems that make activity apps work: Core Location / FusedLocationProvider, Core Motion / SensorManager, background execution and lifecycle, audio session management, push and silent-push pipelines, and durable offline session storage
  • At least 5 years of hands-on experience architecting companion-device experiences on watchOS and/or Wear OS, including phone-to-watch sync, standalone workouts, and state reconciliation
  • Working knowledge of health and fitness data platforms - HealthKit, Health Connect / Google Fit - and third-party device integrations (Apple Watch, Garmin, Strava-class partners)
  • Deep experience with mobile CI/CD ecosystems, build and release tooling (Xcode, Gradle, Fastlane, App Store Connect, Google Play), experimentation infrastructure, and developer experience optimization for mobile teams
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical architecture reviews, establish engineering standards, and influence decisions across multiple teams and platforms

WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON

You'll architect and own the most critical and complex pieces of Nike's activity apps - products used daily by athletes across the globe. Your work shapes standards, tools, and technical culture at a scale few companies can offer.
  • Design end-to-end architecture for NRC and NTC across iOS, Android, and companion wearables - ensuring session reliability, sensor accuracy, battery efficiency, security, and scale
  • Own the long-term shape of the workout session stack - sensor capture, GPS pipelines, background reliability, recovery from process death, and durable upload - so that every started workout is a saved workout
  • Lead technical strategy for the companion-device experience on Apple Watch and Wear OS: standalone workouts, phone-to-watch sync, fallback behaviors, and the architectural seams that let watch features ship independently
  • Drive consolidation of fragmented legacy code paths across NRC and NTC by evaluating existing systems, defining migration paths, and engineering their replacement with efficient, reusable solutions
  • Establish traceability models that connect athlete experience through development workflows to production telemetry - session completion, accuracy, time-to-first-mile, crash-free rate - and measurable engineering outcomes
  • Partner with Security, Privacy, and Platform teams to ensure activity data - location, health, biometric - meets Nike's standards for resilience, compliance, and athlete trust
  • Mentor and elevate senior and lead engineers through design reviews, architectural guidance, and direct technical engagement across multiple squads on both platforms
  • Champion communities of practice in Mobile Architecture, Observability, Performance, AI/ML for coaching personalization, Wearables, and OpenSource - growing Nike's mobile engineering culture to best-in-class industry standards
  • Influence and contribute to Nike's multi-year activity platform roadmap by identifying emerging technology opportunities - on-device ML, sensor fusion, adaptive coaching, new wearable surfaces - and building the case for strategic technical investments
  • Champion AI native development practices, demonstrating the art of the possible for software teams while keeping up on the latest developments in AI native software development and systems

NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete.

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.

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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