Lead Designer, Running Footwear Materials Design Create & Expression

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer, Running Footwear Materials Design Create & Expression

Company: Nike

Location: Beaverton, Oregon, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Design Operations / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-12

Experience Level: 4+ years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive innovative material design expressions and create new material solutions for Nike's Running footwear category.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Industrial Design, Color Design, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Marketing, and Development to bring seasonal creative direction to life.

• Develop technically complex material designs and curate/elevate existing materials for refresh and collection models, ensuring a balance of performance and trend relevance.

• Manage the end-to-end product creation process for materials, from concepting and ideation through to finalizing tech packs and collaborating with manufacturing partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is within a design function, the emphasis on "operations" through "product creation process," "manufacturing partners," "tech packs," and "cross-functional collaboration" positions it within the broader GTM and Product Operations ecosystem. The successful candidate will operate with a high degree of operational rigor to bring design visions to market efficiently.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of innovative footwear materials for the Nike Running category, focusing on both new creations and the enhancement of existing material lines.

• Translate consumer insights, athlete needs, and market trends into compelling material narratives and product executions that enhance consumer experience and emotional connection.

• Leverage deep understanding of manufacturing processes and material science to elevate new ideas, techniques, and sustainable material solutions.

• Develop technically complex material designs and curate material palettes that align with seasonal creative direction and brand aesthetic.

• Create detailed tech packs and specifications for material production, ensuring design intent and execution accuracy.

• Collaborate closely with manufacturing partners to oversee material development, sampling, and production, ensuring quality and performance standards are met.

• Build 3D samples and craft physical mockups by hand to visualize and refine material designs.

• Actively participate in the footwear product creation process, contributing expertise from material conception through to final product.

• Champion Nike's purpose-driven initiatives, particularly around sustainability and people, integrating these principles into material design strategies.

• Present and articulate design concepts and material strategies confidently to internal teams and external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and operational execution. The role requires not just design ideation but also the practical application of manufacturing knowledge and process management to bring those designs to market successfully. This includes managing timelines, resources, and cross-functional dependencies, which are core to operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, Fashion Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Accessory and Footwear Design, Textile Design, or a related field.

• Alternatively, a Master’s degree in one of these areas will be considered.

• Suitable combinations of education, experience, and training will also be accepted. Experience:

• A minimum of 4+ years of relevant design experience, demonstrating the ability to push the boundaries of material design and/or proven expertise in Textile Design or Footwear Design.

• Experience in managing multiple seasonal projects within tight timelines and limited resources.

• Proven experience collaborating and communicating effectively with manufacturing partners.

• Experience building 3D samples and crafting mockups by hand.

• A strong understanding of the Footwear Product Creation process is considered a significant plus. Required Skills:

• Material Design Expertise: Deep knowledge and practical experience in footwear material design, textile design, and material innovation.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Advanced skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for design conceptualization, graphic development, and technical documentation.

• 3D Sampling & Mockup Creation: Ability to physically create samples and mockups to visualize and refine design ideas.

• Manufacturing Process Understanding: Strong capability to leverage manufacturing processes to develop and execute new ideas, techniques, and materials.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams including industrial design, color, graphic, digital, marketing, and development.

• Project Management & Organization: Highly organized, self-sufficient, and motivated with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and resources efficiently.

• Storytelling & Narrative Development: Ability to translate consumer insights into compelling narratives and product executions that foster emotional connection.

• Trend Analysis & Application: Keen eye for market trends and the ability to integrate them into material designs while maintaining performance and brand relevance.

• Sustainability Advocacy: Passion for advancing purpose-driven initiatives, particularly around sustainability in materials.

Preferred Skills:

• Footwear Product Creation Process: In-depth understanding of the entire footwear product creation lifecycle.

• Athlete Engagement: Experience in directly engaging with athletes to gather feedback and inform design decisions.

• Digital Design Tools: Familiarity with advanced digital design or 3D rendering software relevant to material visualization.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading teams and mentoring junior designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "4+ years of relevant design experience" and "proven expertise" suggests a need for candidates who can hit the ground running and demonstrate a track record of impactful design contributions. The "strong understanding of the Footwear Product Creation process" is highlighted as a plus, indicating that candidates with operational process knowledge will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Material Innovation Showcase: A section dedicated to showcasing examples of innovative material designs you have conceptualized and brought to market, detailing the process from ideation to final execution.

• Technical Design Documentation: Examples of detailed tech packs and specifications for materials, demonstrating clarity, accuracy, and completeness for manufacturing partners.

• 3D Sample & Mockup Examples: Visual representation of 3D samples and physical mockups created, illustrating your ability to prototype and refine designs.

• Process Optimization Case Studies: Demonstrations of how you have leveraged manufacturing processes or material science to solve design challenges, improve performance, or enhance sustainability.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Case studies or descriptions of projects where you successfully collaborated with diverse teams (design, development, marketing) to achieve a common goal.

• Storytelling & Consumer Insight Integration: Examples of how you've translated consumer insights or market trends into compelling material narratives and product executions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of how you have mapped out, designed, or optimized workflows for material development, from initial concept to production handover.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how you have implemented new material designs or improved existing processes through collaboration with manufacturing and development teams.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrations of how you have tracked and analyzed the performance of materials in the market, using data to inform future design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on end-to-end product creation and collaboration with manufacturing, a portfolio that clearly articulates process, demonstrates technical documentation skills, and showcases problem-solving through material innovation will be critical. The ability to present the "how" and "why" behind design decisions, akin to an operations case study, will be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for Lead Designer roles in the Footwear Materials Design sector in Beaverton, Oregon, with 4+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is $95,000 - $130,000. This estimate considers the specialized nature of material design, the brand's premium positioning, and the cost of living in the Portland metropolitan area.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

• Paid Time Off (PTO) including Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holidays

• Employee Discount on Nike Products

• Opportunities for Professional Development and Training

• Wellness Programs and Resources

• Parental Leave

• Life and Disability Insurance Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours.

• Expectation for flexibility to meet project deadlines, which may occasionally require working beyond standard hours, especially during critical development phases or seasonal pushes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for similar roles in the Beaverton, OR area and the specified experience level. Nike is known for offering competitive compensation and benefits packages commensurate with the expertise and impact of its employees.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Athletic Footwear and Apparel Manufacturing, Sportswear, Retail. Nike operates within a highly competitive global market, driven by innovation, performance, athlete endorsements, and brand storytelling.

Company Size: Nike is a large, publicly traded corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This scale offers significant resources, global reach, and opportunities for impact.

Founded: 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, officially renamed Nike, Inc. in 1971. Nike has a long history of innovation and leadership in the sports industry.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Running Footwear Materials Design Director, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the materials design team.

• Collaboration is expected with a wide array of cross-functional teams: Footwear Industrial Design, Color Design, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Marketing, and Development teams, highlighting a matrixed and collaborative environment.

• The emphasis on working "across" teams suggests a project-based or initiative-driven approach to team organization for specific product lines or seasons. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, Nike's approach is heavily informed by athlete insights, consumer research, and performance data.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A core tenet is pushing boundaries through material science, manufacturing techniques, and design expression.

• Global Collaboration: Processes are designed to facilitate collaboration across diverse geographical locations and functional disciplines.

• Purpose-Driven Impact: Increasing focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and community impact influences design and development strategies.

Company Website: https://www.nike.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Nike's culture is deeply rooted in sport, innovation, and a drive to serve athletes. For operations-minded individuals, this translates to a fast-paced, results-oriented environment where process efficiency, cross-functional alignment, and data-informed decision-making are crucial for bringing ambitious creative visions to life.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead Designer role, signifying a mid-to-senior level position. It requires not only strong individual contribution but also leadership in guiding design direction, influencing cross-functional partners, and potentially mentoring junior designers. The "Lead" title suggests a significant level of autonomy and responsibility for key aspects of the product creation process.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Running Footwear Materials Design Director, placing it within a specialized design leadership track. This provides a clear path for mentorship and strategic guidance from a senior leader in the field.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is significant, as material design is fundamental to product performance, aesthetics, consumer appeal, and sustainability goals. By leading material innovation and ensuring efficient execution through the product creation process, this role directly influences product quality, market competitiveness, and ultimately, revenue. Efficient management of material development and manufacturing partnerships is key to cost control and timely product launches.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in advanced material science, sustainable material development, or specific performance technologies within running footwear.

• Leadership Progression: Advance to Director-level roles within Footwear Materials Design or transition into broader Product Creation leadership roles.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related functions such as Product Line Management, Development Leadership, or even GTM strategy roles that leverage deep product knowledge.

• Continuous Learning: Access to Nike's extensive internal training programs, external workshops, industry conferences, and opportunities to engage with leading material suppliers and research institutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an operations-focused candidate, this role offers a unique opportunity to apply process discipline and strategic thinking within a highly creative and impactful product development environment. The growth potential lies in mastering the intersection of design excellence and operational efficiency.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role is based in Nike's World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. The campus is known for its state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and a connection to sport. It is an on-site role requiring physical presence.

Office Location(s): World Headquarters, Beaverton, Oregon, United States. This location is a hub for design, product development, marketing, and corporate functions, offering a rich environment for cross-functional interaction.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: The workspace is designed with open areas, meeting rooms, and project spaces to encourage spontaneous and planned collaboration among design, development, and marketing teams.

• Advanced Tools & Technology: Access to cutting-edge design software, material libraries, prototyping labs, and testing facilities to support material innovation and product development.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to interact with colleagues from various disciplines, including designers, developers, marketers, and potentially athletes, fostering a dynamic and integrated work environment.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

• Given the nature of product development cycles and seasonal demands, there is an expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines. This might include occasional extended hours or weekend work during critical phases. The emphasis on "tight timelines and limited resources" in the job description reinforces this need for adaptability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Beaverton is significant. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic, collaborative office environment that is central to Nike's product innovation engine. The workspace supports both individual focused work and intensive team collaboration, essential for complex product creation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by the recruiting team to assess alignment with the core requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation (Virtual/On-site): A key stage where you will present your work to a panel of hiring managers and design/development leads. This is where you demonstrate your material design expertise, process understanding, and creative problem-solving.

• Skills-Based Interview: Questions focused on your technical abilities (Adobe Suite, 3D sampling), understanding of manufacturing, and experience with product creation processes.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions designed to assess your leadership potential, cross-functional collaboration skills, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit with Nike. Expect questions around how you handle challenges, manage timelines, and work with diverse stakeholders.

• Final Round/Director Interview: Discussion with the Running Footwear Materials Design Director to finalize assessment of fit, vision, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your expertise in footwear material design, innovation, and process execution. Prioritize projects that show impact, problem-solving, and collaboration.

• Detail the Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem you were solving, your ideation process, the materials you developed, the manufacturing considerations, and the final outcome. Use visuals effectively (sketches, renderings, material swatches, photos of samples).

• Highlight Operations Aspects: Explicitly showcase your understanding of the product creation lifecycle, your collaboration with development and manufacturing teams, and how you managed timelines and resources. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., cost savings, performance improvements, sustainability metrics).

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives. What was the consumer insight? What was the creative challenge? How did your material solution address it? What was the emotional connection created?

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Include examples of your tech packs, material specifications, and 3D renderings or sample photos.

• Showcase Sustainability Efforts: If applicable, highlight projects where sustainability was a key driver, detailing the materials chosen and their environmental impact.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: You might be presented with a hypothetical design challenge related to running footwear materials and asked to outline your approach, materials, and key considerations.

• Process Walkthrough: Be prepared to walk through a past project in detail, explaining your thought process, decision-making, and how you navigated challenges, particularly those involving manufacturing or cross-functional alignment.

• Sustainability/Innovation Pitch: You may be asked to pitch an innovative or sustainable material concept.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should prepare to not only showcase creative output but also demonstrate a robust understanding of the operational processes required to bring those designs to life at scale. Emphasize how your design work integrates with and optimizes manufacturing and product creation workflows.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential for graphic design, technical drawings, and presentation materials.

• 3D Design Software: Proficiency in 3D sampling tools (e.g., CLO3D, Browzwear, or similar) is highly beneficial for creating realistic digital samples and mockups.

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems: Familiarity with PLM software (e.g., Centric PLM, PTC FlexPLM) is advantageous for managing product data, tech packs, and workflows.

• Material Databases & Libraries: Experience with digital material libraries and databases for sourcing, tracking, and specifying materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how to interpret data from material performance tests, consumer feedback, and market trends will be important.

• Familiarity with tools used for trend forecasting and market analysis. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how design data flows into broader CRM or ERP systems for product management is beneficial.

• Knowledge of how automation might streamline aspects of material specification or tech pack generation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite. However, given the operational aspects of the role, familiarity with 3D design tools for sampling and PLM systems for product data management will significantly enhance a candidate's profile.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Athlete-Centricity: All design and development efforts are driven by the needs of athletes, aiming to enhance performance, comfort, and experience.

• Innovation: A relentless pursuit of new ideas, technologies, and materials to create the future of sport.

• Sustainability: A commitment to reducing environmental impact through responsible material sourcing, design, and manufacturing practices.

• Collaboration: A belief that the best solutions emerge from diverse teams working together seamlessly.

• Excellence: A standard of high quality and performance in all aspects of product creation and execution.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Fosters strong working relationships with cross-functional teams, viewing them as integral partners in the product creation journey.

• Open Communication: Encourages candid feedback and transparent dialogue to ensure design intent is understood and executed accurately.

• Process-Driven: While creative, the team values structured processes that ensure efficiency, quality control, and timely delivery of products.

• Shared Ownership: Promotes a sense of collective responsibility for product success, from initial concept to market launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: Nike's culture emphasizes a blend of intense creativity and rigorous execution. For operations-minded professionals, understanding how Nike's values translate into daily work—e.g., how "Sustainability" influences material choices and "Collaboration" impacts workflow—will be key to demonstrating cultural alignment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Scalability: Developing cutting-edge materials that can be reliably and cost-effectively manufactured at Nike's global scale.

• Sustainability Integration: Meeting ambitious sustainability goals while maintaining performance, aesthetic, and cost targets.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Navigating complex stakeholder needs and ensuring buy-in across diverse departments with potentially competing priorities.

• Rapid Trend Cycles: Staying ahead of evolving consumer trends, athlete needs, and technological advancements in a fast-paced market.

• Material Performance & Durability: Ensuring new materials meet rigorous performance and durability standards for running athletes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Material Science & Innovation Workshops: Access to internal and external training on new material technologies, manufacturing processes, and sustainable alternatives.

• Design Leadership Programs: Opportunities to develop leadership, project management, and strategic thinking skills through specialized Nike programs.

• Industry Conferences & Exposure: Potential to attend key industry events, trade shows, and supplier innovation summits to stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced design leaders and exposure to a broad network of experts within Nike's product creation ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in the high-stakes athletic apparel and footwear industry. Successful candidates will demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to problem-solving, viewing these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a highly innovative material concept with manufacturing constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and collaboration)

• "How do you stay current with material innovations, sustainability trends, and consumer preferences in the running footwear space?" (Demonstrate proactive learning and industry awareness)

• "Walk us through a project where you translated a complex consumer insight or athlete need into a compelling material design. What was your process?" (Highlight storytelling, insight application, and design execution)

• "How do you approach building and maintaining strong working relationships with manufacturing partners to ensure design intent is met?" (Focus on communication, process, and partnership) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why Nike, and why this specific role within Running Footwear Materials Design?" (Show genuine passion for the brand, sport, and the category)

• "How do you embody Nike's values of Athlete-Centricity, Innovation, and Sustainability in your design work?" (Connect your experience to Nike's core principles)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you ensure effective communication and alignment across diverse teams?" (Demonstrate teamwork and communication skills) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a brief overview of your career and design philosophy. Then, dive into 2-3 key projects, dedicating substantial time to each.

• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your design process, the materials used, the manufacturing considerations, and the final results. Quantify impact (performance, sustainability, consumer connection) whenever possible.

• Highlight Operational Rigor: Explicitly discuss how you managed timelines, collaborated with development and manufacturing, and ensured the feasibility of your designs.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals—sketches, renderings, material swatches, sample photos, tech pack excerpts—to illustrate your points.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical challenges, and your understanding of the product creation process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational acumen. Candidates need to articulate how they manage complex processes, collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, and drive tangible results through their material design expertise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Nike's Workday careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that showcase your expertise in footwear material design, innovation, and process execution. Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your understanding of manufacturing processes, cross-functional collaboration, and the product creation lifecycle.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 4+ years of relevant design experience, specific technical skills (Adobe Suite, 3D sampling), and any experience with product creation processes or manufacturing partners. Use keywords from the job description to optimize for ATS.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling, process, operational considerations, and quantifiable impact. Be ready to articulate your design philosophy and how it aligns with Nike's values.

• Research Nike: Familiarize yourself with Nike's current running footwear offerings, their sustainability initiatives, and recent innovations. Understand their brand mission and how material design contributes to it.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.