About Nike

Nike stands as the unparalleled global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, revolutionizing sports performance since its founding in 1964. With a mission to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world, Nike has redefined industry standards through groundbreaking technologies like the Air sole, introduced in 1979. Today, Nike's Air Manufacturing Innovation (Air MI) division pushes the boundaries of what's possible, engineering advanced footwear components that deliver the sensation of walking on air. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike operates state-of-the-art facilities worldwide, fostering a culture of relentless innovation, teamwork, and excellence. Joining Nike means contributing to a legacy that powers athletes from elite professionals to everyday enthusiasts.

Role Overview

The Lead Product Development Engineer, Design, Air MI position in St. Charles, Missouri, is a pivotal technical leadership role within Nike's innovative Air MI team. Reporting to the Director of Product Development Engineering, Design, you will spearhead a team of Design Engineers, driving the commercialization and manufacturing of Nike's premier Air products. This full-time role demands expertise in product development, process optimization, and tooling design, collaborating across Project Management, Materials, Product Engineering, Equipment Controls, Safety, Operations, Maintenance, and Quality teams. Influence Air MI leadership to shape future strategies while tackling high-impact projects that enhance manufacturing efficiencies and introduce revolutionary air technologies.

Key Responsibilities

In this leadership position, you will own critical aspects of Nike's Air product lifecycle:

• Lead part and tooling design for groundbreaking new product development initiatives.
• Spearhead tooling-related changes to boost continuous improvement and operational efficiencies.
• Drive adoption of computational design best practices across the team.
• Create and refine design and tooling processes to achieve operational excellence.
• Collaborate with multi-functional stakeholders to align tasks, projects, and communications.
• Support development of innovative new air products and daily manufacturing operations.
• Solve complex problems with limited information, implementing forward-thinking solutions.
• Contribute to standard work instructions documentation and maintenance for the design team.
• Provide direction, mentorship to functional teammates, and clear communication to broader audiences.
• Employ a collaborative approach to resolve organizational challenges and disagreements.

Qualifications & Requirements

Nike seeks proven leaders with a strong engineering foundation and manufacturing prowess:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a related manufacturing discipline, or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum 6 years in high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in CAD for complex product and tooling design; NX experience highly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with PDM software and deep knowledge of revision control; Teamcenter preferred.
• Programming skills in languages for NX Open API scripting and applications.
• Validated project management expertise.
• Exceptional teamwork and communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor in your expertise area.
• Preferred: Six Sigma tools, Lean Manufacturing methods, industrial equipment safety.
• Strong understanding of fabrication and tolerancing for machined and additive tooling.

Why These Skills Matter at Nike

At Air MI, your technical leadership directly impacts Nike's ability to innovate faster, produce higher quality, and deliver athlete-centric performance. Expertise in NX, Teamcenter, and computational design ensures seamless integration of new technologies into high-volume production.

Benefits & Perks

Nike offers a comprehensive compensation package tailored to top engineering talent:

• Competitive salary estimated at $120,000 - $160,000 USD annually, based on experience and market rates with upside potential.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits from day one.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and wellness programs.
• Employee discounts on Nike products and access to exclusive athlete events.
• State-of-the-art facilities in St. Charles, Missouri, with modern amenities.
• Accommodations for disabilities, including screen readers, sign language interpreters, and more during interviews.

Career Growth

This role positions you for accelerated advancement within Nike's engineering hierarchy. As a technical leader, you'll gain visibility with Air MI executives, honing skills in strategic influence and cross-functional leadership. Nike invests in employee development through mentorship programs, leadership training, Six Sigma certifications, and global rotation opportunities. Many alumni of similar roles have progressed to Director-level positions, shaping Nike's future innovations.

Why Join Us

Be part of Nike's most daring dream: perfecting Air technology that has defined performance for decades. In St. Charles, Missouri, you'll work in a collaborative, high-energy environment challenging assumptions to drive efficiency and quality. Nike values diversity, inclusion, and athlete-minded innovation, offering a premium workplace where your expertise fuels global impact. Influence strategies that take Air to unprecedented heights while enjoying work-life balance and unparalleled perks.

Role FAQs

What is the work environment like at Air MI?

Dynamic and collaborative, with state-of-the-art facilities focused on high-volume manufacturing of Nike Air products.

Is relocation assistance provided?

Nike offers competitive relocation support for qualifying candidates.

What CAD software is used?

NX is preferred, alongside PDM tools like Teamcenter.

How does Nike support professional development?

Through mentorship, training in Lean/Six Sigma, and leadership opportunities.

Are accommodations available for interviews?

Yes, including screen readers, interpreters, and accessible formats via the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.