Principal, Innovation Engineer

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’LL WORK WITH

At Nike we innovate to serve athletes* and push the boundaries of human potential. The Innovation Engineering team sits within Nike’s Product Supply Chain organization and works in close partnership with Nike’s Advanced Innovation Collective (NXT) and global Product Creation teams. Our mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world, and the Innovation Engineering team plays a critical role by engineering breakthrough solutions, scaling innovative manufacturing methods, and pushing the edges of apparel technology to elevate athlete* performance and unlock transformative product capabilities.

You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers, sports scientists, and creative visionaries around the world. This role is based in Ho Chi Minh City and reports to the Director of Innovation Engineering at Nike’s World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Together, we’ll reimagine the future of sport by blending deep technical expertise, bold creativity, and the relentless pursuit of innovation to serve athletes* and drive Nike’s competitive separation. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Principal Innovation Engineer with deep expertise in apparel manufacturing, product engineering, and process innovation. You’re a bold thinker, systems-level problem solver, and natural collaborator who thrives in complexity. In this globally integrated role, you’ll work closely with cross-functional teammates who are predominantly based overseas. You lead confidently across cultures and disciplines, embracing ambiguity, adapting quickly, and bringing clarity, vision, and fresh thinking to some of Nike’s most technically ambitious apparel innovation challenges.

You cultivate a culture of experimentation, failing forward with intention and working efficiently without compromising excellence. You’re comfortable engaging in constructive conflict and seek out partnerships to stretch your thinking and challenge the limits of what’s possible today. 

This role requires a rare blend of engineering intuition, technical mastery, and strategic foresight. You thrive in an ever-changing environment, constantly generating and testing innovation solutions to complex, dynamic challenges. Whether on the factory floor or presenting to executives, you bring technical rigor, creative edge, and an influential presence. 

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Textile Engineering, or related field.

• A minimum of 7-10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing, engineering, or product development—preferably within the apparel, footwear, or soft goods industries.

• A proven track record generating innovative ideas and delivering product innovations from concept to commercialization.

• Demonstrated success leading cross functional product development on global teams; Asia manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

• Deep expertise in apparel/textile development, product creation, factory operations, quality systems, and industrial engineering.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including capability studies, process optimization, design of experiments, and innovation implementation.

• A strategic mindset with the ability to connect technical decisions to product vision, consumer needs, and business impact.

• Experience working across complex, fast-moving environments balancing hands-on execution with big-picture thinking.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills.

• Proven ability to influence and build trust across cultures and organizational levels, from the factory floor of our manufacturing Partners to senior executives. 

• Global mindset with a willingness to travel (up to 20% internationally), often on short notice.

• A drive to imagine, build, and scale the next generation of performance innovations.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As a Principal Innovation Engineer, you’ll be at the forefront of Nike’s most ambitious initiatives – applying your technical expertise to accelerate manufacturing technologies and bring disruptive concepts to life at scale. 

• Lead the ideation, development, validation, and integration of advanced manufacturing methods that enable bold product designs and next-generation performance features.

• Influence product architecture, material selection, and manufacturing approaches from the earliest stages of concept development.

• Scout, evaluate, and adapt emerging technologies, including those from adjacent industries, to drive innovation and improve performance, sustainability, quality, and cost.

• Collaborate with Regional and Global Factory Partners to pilot, refine, and validate scalable innovations, ensuring technical readiness for commercial production.

• Operate within a fast-moving, matrixed organization partnering across Innovation, Product Development, Design, Engineering, Sustainability, Sourcing, and Quality functions. 

• Support high-visibility, high-impact programs tied to product launches, major sport moments, and strategic growth priorities. 

• Champion a culture of relentless innovation, balancing what’s possible today with the courage to invent what’s next. 

Note:At Nike, we're committed to providing a fair and transparent application process for all applicants. Nike does not charge candidates any fees for recruitment or applications.

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.