Senior Chemical Engineer, 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’LL WORK WITH

You will join the Footwear Innovation team, collaborating closely with a cross-functional, global team of engineers, product developers, and manufacturing partners. This role thrives in a highly matrixed environment, working with internal product and innovation teams, as well as offshore manufacturing partners. You’ll also engage with internal and external partners to ensure seamless technology development and transition. Expect a culture of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and proactive communication, where sharing ideas and leveraging internal and external resources is key.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We seek a technical expert with a growing reputation as a “go-to” resource in chemical engineering for footwear. The ideal candidate will have:

• Education & Experience

  • Solid foundation in chemical engineering concepts, theories, and practices.

  • Experience with rubber formulation and processing, foam formulation and processing, thermoplastics processing, adhesive/paint chemistry, bonding processes, upper materials, and statistics.

  • Working knowledge of footwear product construction and inline chemical engineering requirements.

• Skills & Competencies

  • Demonstrated project management skills and ability to lead moderately complex initiatives.

  • Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex scientific data for diverse audiences.

  • Strong collaboration and networking abilities across internal teams and external partners.

  • Professionalism and ability to articulate policies, share ideas, and escalate issues appropriately.

• Preferred Attributes

  • Familiarity with sustainability practices and restricted substances compliance.

  • Ability to apply scientific methodologies and tools (e.g. FTIR, DSC, DAM, etc) for data-driven decisions.

  • Ability to travel internationally

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As a Senior Chemical Engineer, you will drive medium- and long-term chemical and material R&D activities for innovation programs, ensuring technology advancements are grounded in scientific rigor. Your responsibilities will include:

• Innovation Concepting, Validation & Transition

  • Develop project plans for new chemical technologies and optimize processes, in partnership with Beaverton teammates.

  • Consult on material selection, product construction techniques, and manufacturability of innovative footwear materials and processes.

  • Validate chemical engineering designs to proven standards before transition.

  • Collaborate with inline teams and offshore manufacturing to ensure performance integrity.

  • Address durability, performance, manufacturability, sustainability, and IP considerations.

• Chemical Engineering Project Management

  • Drive development and transition of new chemical products, platforms, and capabilities.

  • Coordinate research activities with internal teams, vendors, and factory partners.

  • Supervise trials, ensure data accuracy, and validate outcomes using scientific methods.

  • Support chemical vendor onboarding and approval processes

• Decision Making & Communication

  • Drive data-driven decisions through structured methodologies.

  • Communicate progress and critical updates to stakeholders proactively.

  • Simplify and present complex technical concepts through clear storytelling.

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.