Director Software Engineering, ITC at Nike - Karnataka, India

About Nike

Nike stands as the world's leading sports brand, revolutionizing athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment for over 50 years. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike employs over 79,000 people globally, driving innovation through technology and consumer insights. In India, Nike's operations span retail, digital, and product creation, with a strong focus on tech-enabled merchandising. The Product Innovation and Consumer Creation (ITC) team forms the backbone of Nike's product lifecycle—from ideation to market delivery—empowering the brand to anticipate consumer needs and maintain market leadership. Joining Nike means contributing to a legacy of breakthroughs, including AI-driven personalization and scalable digital platforms that serve millions worldwide.

Role Overview

As Director Software Engineering, ITC, you will spearhead engineering teams building web experiences and core platform APIs infused with AI/ML for Nike's merchandising functions. Based in Karnataka, India, this leadership role demands seamless collaboration with business stakeholders, technology leaders, engineers, architects, and product managers. Your mission: deliver reusable, scalable solutions that modernize Nike's technology landscape. This full-time position suits inclusive leaders with proven track records in agile environments, fostering trust and enabling teams to tackle complex technical challenges in a product-centric model. Expect to influence multi-year roadmaps while championing innovation in cloud-native architectures.

Key Responsibilities

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead, mentor, and manage multiple engineering squads to deliver software aligned with cross-functional roadmaps and industry trends.
• Build a culture of trust and innovation, encouraging exploration of emerging technologies like AI/ML to drive business value at scale.
• Enable continuous transformation in technical maturity, experimentation, standards, best practices, and developer productivity.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Consumer Product, and Innovation leadership to prioritize and align technical decisions.
• Empower high-performing teams by removing barriers, inspiring global engineering culture, and ensuring rapid value delivery.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience

Bring 14+ years leading high-performing software engineering teams, including 5+ years in leadership with direct reports. Demonstrate 5+ years with cloud-native platforms like AWS, Azure, or equivalents, plus expertise in deploying highly available microservices using tools like Splunk, SignalFx, and New Relic.

Technical Expertise

Proficiency in modern architectural principles (REST, domain-driven design, microservices), front-end technologies (JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, Vue, React/Redux), and distributed systems (Node.js, EC2, Kubernetes, Lambda, Bedrock, DynamoDB, Elasticsearch). Experience with Agile, DevOps (CI/CD), scaled Agile in large organizations, and AI/ML integration is preferred.

Leadership & Soft Skills

Excel in strategic thinking, translating vision into measurable objectives, and inspiring positive change in design, delivery, and processes. Outstanding verbal/written communication for technical and business audiences, coupled with passion for new technologies, is essential. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience is required.

Benefits & Perks

Nike offers competitive compensation estimated at ₹65-95 lakhs annually for this senior role, reflecting Retail/Tech sector benchmarks in India with a buffer for top talent. Beyond salary, enjoy comprehensive health insurance, performance bonuses, stock options, and generous paid time off. Nike's campuses feature state-of-the-art fitness centers, on-site cafes, and wellness programs. Relocation support for Karnataka roles, hybrid work flexibility, and employee discounts on iconic products round out the package. Parental leave, mental health resources, and learning stipends underscore Nike's commitment to holistic well-being.

Career Growth

This Director role positions you for executive tracks within Nike's Consumer & Marketplace (C&M) and technology organizations. Past leaders have advanced to VP Engineering or global CTO roles, leveraging Nike's internal mobility programs. Access Nike University for leadership development, certifications in AWS/AI, and mentorship from principal engineers. With Nike's aggressive digital transformation, including AI-powered merchandising, you'll gain visibility across Nike's $50B+ enterprise, accelerating your path to C-suite influence in sports tech.

Why Join Us

At Nike, you're not just building software—you're shaping the future of sport. Collaborate on platforms that power Nike's direct-to-consumer growth, serving 1B+ annual visitors. Work in Karnataka's thriving tech hub alongside global teams, driving real impact like AI-optimized product planning. Nike's empowering culture celebrates diversity, with ERGs for women in tech, LGBTQ+, and more. Join a company ranked among India's top employers, where innovation meets purpose: to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.* (*If you have a body, you are an athlete.)

Role FAQs

What is the tech stack?

Focus on cloud-native (AWS/Azure), microservices, React/Vue, Node.js, Kubernetes, and AI/ML tools like Bedrock.

Is relocation supported?

Yes, Nike provides relocation assistance for Karnataka-based roles.

What experience level is needed?

14+ years in engineering leadership, 5+ in management and cloud tech.

Hybrid or remote?

Hybrid model in Karnataka, emphasizing collaborative innovation.

How does Nike support learning?

Unlimited access to training, conferences, and emerging tech experimentation.

Ready to elevate Nike's tech? Apply now for Director Software Engineering, ITC.