Materials Innovator, Innovation

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, Inc. it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

You will be interacting with partners across the Footwear Innovation (Product Development, Engineering and Manufacturing, Business Development, IP/Legal, Chemical Engineering, Design, Sports Research Lab, M&M Labs) and outside of our NXT Digital Creation Studio, which include (but are not limited to) Nike's Global Footwear, Athlete Services, Footwear Product Testing, Engineering and Product Development.

As a Materials Innovator, you will work with external polymer material suppliers, equipment suppliers, and laboratories to create innovative solutions that meet all required performance and sustainability specifications for footwear products. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

In order to support the future underfoot experience of Nike’s footwear products, we are looking for an exceptional Materials Innovator possessing a comprehensive understanding of composite materials, their processing, and their relation to final component properties.  Critical to the role is the aptitude and desire to actively make and build components.  We are looking for this Innovator to possess extensive materials testing, characterization, and data analytics skills to ultimately drive the ideate/prototype/validate/refine innovation cycle.

The ideal candidate needs to be a strategic thinker, collaborator and highly innovative problem solver who can work independently or cross-functionally with a diverse set of teams across Nike to fuel and support new product concepts and strategic development efforts within Nike Footwear Innovation.

The candidate should be proactive and comfortable working with tight timelines and shifting priorities. This is a hands-on prototyping role that requires attention to detail and a fundamental understanding of how composite part design. Experience with processing composite parts is required.   

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training.

• 2+ years of hands-on experience working manufacturing of composite parts, including cutting and kitting of prepreg materials, layup of preforms, compression molding, trimming and finishing of parts.

• Proficient with NX, Six Sigma Greenbelt and part design experience preferred.

• Experience with composite laminate design and characterization.

• Familiar with microscopy analysis and sample preparation.

• Must be able to operate industrial press and cutting equipment.

• Ability to lift 20-30 lbs pounds.

• Ability to read and create layup drawings for composite parts.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

You will be supporting and driving a range of cross-functional projects of varying readiness levels to innovate and create the future of Nike footwear, predominantly through underfoot materials and components.

Keys to the role are independent and collaborative hands-on making of prototypes, material testing and characterization, and data analysis. You will collaborate with other technical experts, participate in ideation sessions, collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL

• Support carbon plate prototyping and development for performance product applications. This includes supporting plate design / mold creation, material cutting / kitting, and forming / finishing of parts.

• Post testing part analysis including shoe deconstruction, plate cut up and microscopy analysis, mechanical and or CT characterization when needed.

• Be responsible for part QC measurements and documentation and the creation of part 2D drawing including layup details.

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.

NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.