Lead Innovation Engineer, Global Accessories

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

This role sits within Nike’s Accessories Innovation team, part of the broader Nike Innovation organization. The team operates at the intersection of science, design, and sport, partnering closely with inline Accessories teams, the Innovation Test Lab, and cross‑functional partners across Product Innovation, Technical Design, Development, Materials, and Product Management. Together, they translate athlete insight and emerging technology into performance‑driven accessories built for sport at the highest level.

The Lead Innovator, Accessories brings deep technical mastery and creative rigor to performance product creation. This individual pairs engineering discipline with a builder’s mindset and is comfortable moving seamlessly from concept to prototype to validation. They use data, testing, and athlete insight to guide decisions, and they communicate complex ideas with clarity and confidence. The role calls for strong self‑direction, sound project management, and the ability to navigate multiple work streams simultaneously.

Just as important, this innovator thrives in collaboration, partnering across functions and with external manufacturing teams to push performance forward. They are hands‑on, curious, and driven to turn new ideas into real‑world solutions that stand up to sport.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Innovation, Industrial Design, performance product design, or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
• A minimum of 6 years directly relevant work experience
• Strong grasp of Computer‑Aided Design (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to inform design decisions
• Hands‑on prototyping skills, including machine shop work, sewing, composites, electronics, and/or 3D printing
• Experience working directly with large‑scale manufacturing partners and a range of manufacturing techniques

You will help shape the future of Nike equipment and accessories through iterative design, testing, and collaboration. Working across innovation, development, and testing partners, you will turn athlete insight and data into high‑performance solutions built for the game.

• You partner with the Accessories Innovation team, Equipment Development, and the Innovation Test Lab to create and refine new concepts
• You design, prototype, and iterate equipment and accessories using data, physical testing, and athlete feedback
• You collaborate with cross‑functional teams across Product, Materials, and Manufacturing to bring ideas to life
• You apply knowledge of injection molding, soft‑goods construction, composite development, and advanced materials
• You communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• You help evaluate performance through simulation, lab testing, and real‑world use
• You contribute to innovation in equipment and accessories with an understanding of Global Football through the lens of performance