Senior Data Scientist, Athlete Data & 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.

The Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers and innovators and who lead with science to make athletes* measurably better. We believe athlete* data is the foundation of the future of human performance and are looking for a Senior Data Scientist to help bring that future to life.

Who You Will Work With

Working closely with researchers, product teams, and fellow data scientists, you’ll build models, connect datasets, and translate results into clear recommendations. This is a hands-on role for someone passionate about human movement science and advanced analytics who also wants their work to directly influence Nike footwear, apparel, and athlete services.

At the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL), athlete data drives everything we do to make athletes* measurably better. As a Sr. Data Scientist on our team, you will turn complex, diverse data—biomechanics, physiology, product performance, and more—into insights that power innovation to drive athlete* performance and protection, and redefine what’s possible in sport.

What You’ll Work On

• Data Analytics & Insight Generation

  • Analyze and connect diverse datasets (biomechanical, physiological, sensor, product, consumer).

  • Run advanced statistical analyses and machine learning models to uncover patterns and insights.

  • Translate findings into actionable recommendations for product design, athlete services, and business partners.

• Innovation & Research Support

  • Collaborate with sports scientists, researchers, and engineers to design experiments and validate results.

  • Partner with product innovation teams to embed data insights into next-generation footwear and apparel.

• Infrastructure & Standards

  • Help build scalable pipelines, tools, and visualizations to make athlete data accessible.

  • Contribute to developing common data taxonomies and standards across NSRL.

• Collaboration & Storytelling

  • Communicate complex analyses to technical and non-technical audiences.

  • Present insights in compelling ways that influence decisions across Nike.

Who We Are Looking For

• Curious, analytical, creative — you thrive on solving complex problems with data.

• Passionate about sport, human movement, and applying science to real-world performance.

• Comfortable working across disciplines — from researchers and designers to engineers and business leaders.

• Excited by both rigorous analysis and practical impact.

Qualifications

• Masters/PhD degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Sports Science, Engineering or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience

• 3+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or applied research (internships and academic research experience considered).

• Strong proficiency in Python, including expertise with core data science libraries such as pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn. Proficiency in R or similar languages are also highly valued.

• Demonstrated experience in applying software engineering best practices to data science projects, including developing and maintaining robust, quality code, utilizing version control tools like Git, and collaborating within a modern software development life cycle.

• Strong foundation in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization.

• Experience working with biomechanical, physiological, or performance data strongly preferred.

• Ability to manage large, diverse datasets and apply advanced analytical techniques.

• Excellent communication skills — able to clearly explain technical results to non-technical stakeholders.

Why It Matters

Athlete data is not just numbers — it’s the story of how humans move, adapt, and excel. As a Senior Data Scientist in the NSRL, you’ll help capture and tell that story, turning insight into innovation that shapes the future of sport.

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.