About Nike

Nike is the world's leading sports brand, revolutionizing athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment for over 50 years. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike drives innovation through cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and a relentless focus on athlete performance. The Jordan Brand, a powerhouse within Nike, continues Michael Jordan's legacy by pushing boundaries in basketball, lifestyle, and performance sport categories. As a global icon, Nike offers unparalleled opportunities for creative professionals to shape the future of sport.

Role Overview

Become an Expert 3D Footwear Designer in Nike's Jordan 3D Studio - Sport, based in Beaverton, Oregon. This full-time role positions you as the dedicated 3D authority for Jordan's performance footwear categories, including Basketball, FBAT, and Golf. Reporting to the Sr. Director of 3D Excellence, you'll partner with footwear design, product creation, engineering, and development teams. Drive digital creation from athlete insights to expressive 3D prototypes, scaling Jordan Brand's digital workflows with precision and speed. Ideal for seasoned designers with strong sculptural instincts and fluency in modern 3D pipelines.

Key Responsibilities

In this pivotal role, you'll translate athlete-informed concepts into high-quality 3D assets that accelerate design decisions and build scalable digital systems.

• Lead 3D creation for performance footwear, from early-stage sculpting to refined digital prototypes.
• Develop reusable digital assets that fuse ergonomic performance with Jordan's iconic identity and narrative.
• Produce compelling renders and lightweight animations to convey form, material, and performance stories.
• Build and maintain digital bucks, lasts, underlays, and modeling templates for team-wide efficiency.
• Create documented workflows for rapid concept-to-print processes, including 3D printing and functional prototyping.
• Collaborate across Jordan Brand to standardize digital assets, workflows, and high-bar examples.

Qualifications & Requirements

Nike seeks a highly specialized talent with proven expertise in performance footwear design.

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Footwear Design, or equivalent education and experience.
• 7+ years in performance footwear or hard-surface 3D design.
• Mastery of 3D tools including Rhino, Grasshopper, Alias, Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and Modo.
• Advanced rendering and animation skills to communicate design narratives.
• Hands-on experience with digital-to-physical workflows, 3D printing, and prototyping.
• Familiarity with USD/scene-graph workflows and scalable library development.
• Portfolio showcasing precision, form literacy, iterative processes, and modern digital craft.
• Curiosity in emerging tools like procedural modeling and responsible AI-assisted creation.
• Collaborative spirit to thrive with design, engineering, and development partners.

Preferred Skills

Strong sculptural instincts, ambiguity navigation, rapid iteration, and performance-driven mindset set top candidates apart.

Benefits & Perks

Nike prioritizes employee well-being with industry-leading perks tailored for creative professionals.

• Competitive salary estimated at $140,000 - $200,000 USD annually, based on Retail/Tech sector benchmarks with buffer.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support.
• Generous PTO, parental leave, and flexible hybrid work arrangements.
• Exclusive Nike employee product discounts and apparel allowances.
• Tuition assistance, leadership training, and career mobility programs.
• State-of-the-art campus in Beaverton with fitness centers, dining, and innovation labs.

Career Growth

At Nike, your growth is limitless. This Expert role serves as a launchpad to senior design leadership within Jordan Brand or broader Nike Innovation. Access mentorship from industry pioneers, cross-functional projects, and global exposure. Nike's commitment to digital transformation means you'll pioneer next-gen tools, positioning you as a leader in 3D footwear design. Internal mobility programs ensure your career evolves with your ambitions.

Why Join Us

Join the Jordan 3D Studio to work on iconic performance products that athletes trust worldwide. Beaverton, Oregon, offers an inspiring campus environment amid stunning Pacific Northwest landscapes. Collaborate with elite teams fueling Jordan's legacy of excellence. Nike values innovation, diversity, and impact—your 3D expertise will directly shape future bestsellers. This is your chance to elevate digital craft at a brand that defines sport.

Role FAQs

What 3D software experience is required?

Mastery in Rhino, Grasshopper, Alias, Blender, Maya, ZBrush, Modo is essential, plus rendering/animation proficiency.

Is relocation support available?

Nike offers competitive relocation packages for qualifying roles to Beaverton, Oregon.

What is the team structure?

Report to Sr. Director of 3D Excellence; partner with design, engineering, and development across Jordan Brand.

Can I submit a portfolio?

Yes, a strong portfolio demonstrating precision and iterative 3D footwear design is required.

Apply now to innovate at Nike's Jordan 3D Studio. (Word count: 1,248)