NIKE, Inc

Senior Material Designer, Global Tennis Footwear, Nike

NIKE, Inc$100K — $120K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in fashion, textiles, industrial design, or related field
  • 5+ years of experience in material design, fashion design, or footwear design
  • Creative design portfolio required for consideration
  • Ability to transform consumer insights into engaging product narratives
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
  • Strong interpersonal skills for team collaboration

Responsibilities

  • Own material craft by conceptualizing and specifying innovative footwear materials
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet performance and cost targets
  • Translate ideas into detailed tech packs and ensure manufacturability
  • Integrate athlete and consumer feedback into material design
  • Address complex problems in material performance and production
  • Maintain clear communication of material strategies with stakeholders
  • Champion effective documentation and reporting to aid decision-making

Benefits

  • Working alongside a creative expression team within a globally recognized brand
  • Opportunity to impact various Nike Tennis products
  • Dynamic and fast-paced work environment
  • Engagement with athletes to validate designs
  • Supportive accommodations during the interview process
Full Job Description

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH


You will collaborate with Nike’s Footwear Industrial Design, Color Design, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Marketing, and Development teams to bring seasonal creative direction to life through innovative footwear materials. You’ll join an expression team that includes one color designer, two product designers, and an Expression Design Director.

This role reports directly to the Expression Design Director.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR


We are seeking an exceptional Senior Footwear Materials Designer who combines industry experience, problem-solving skills, and creativity to shape the future of Tennis Footwear at Nike.

  • To be considered, you must submit a creative design portfolio. Please provide website links or attach pdf files when you apply.
  • Bachelor’s degree in fashion, textiles, or industrial design or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 5 + years' experience of material design or textile design, fashion design, product design, industrial design, accessory or footwear design, preferably in product creation or in an agency
  • Ability to translate consumer insights and performance data into compelling narratives and product execution.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills tailored for diverse audiences.
  • Ability to simplify technical details into clear, inspiring narratives that foster collaboration.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and transparency across teams.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON


You’ll work on a wide range of Nike Tennis products—from top athletic moments to core franchises. Your role spans concepting and ideation through finalizing tech packs, collaborating with manufacturing partners, and occasionally engaging directly with athletes. Expect a dynamic mix of challenges and rewards as you:

  • Own the material craft: You concept, sample, and specify uppers/tooling using cutting edge processes (engineered knits, films, laminates, textiles, coatings, synthetics/leather) while curating and elevating carryover materials for refreshes and collection models.
  • Collaborate across the offense: You partner daily with Footwear Design, Color, Product Development, PLM, Engineering, Sustainability, and factory/LO teams to align performance, cost targets, and calendar gates—building trusted relationships that move work forward.
  • Translate ideas to tech packs: You deliver impeccable BOMs, finishes, callouts, test methods, and construction details; you drive readiness at each creation milestone and troubleshoot for manufacturability with vendors.
  • Bring athlete and consumer voice into the work: You synthesize athlete feedback, wear test and lab data into material decisions—and at times meet directly with athletes and Sports Marketing to validate feel, fit, and durability.
  • Tackle complex problem solving: You navigate sample builds, root cause issues (abrasion, flex, peel/delam), and corrective actions; you anticipate risks and build mitigation plans that protect quality and timelines.
  • Drive clear and effective communication across cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment on material strategies and timelines.
  • Translate complex material concepts into concise, actionable information for stakeholders at all levels.
  • Champion clarity in documentation, presentations, and reporting to support informed decision-making.

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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