About Nike

Nike is the world's leading sports brand, empowering athletes* globally through innovative products, services, and experiences. With a mission to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete, Nike leverages data and technology as core drivers of its success. The Data & AI (DAI) team in India plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem, building scalable platforms that fuel personalized athlete experiences and data-driven decisions across Nike's global operations.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Nike's India Technology Center (ITC) is a hub of technological excellence, where top engineers tackle complex challenges in data engineering, AI, and cloud infrastructure. As a Lead Software Engineer in Data Platform Engineering, you'll contribute to platforms that power Nike's retail, direct-to-consumer, and athlete engagement strategies.

Role Overview

The Lead Software Engineer - Data Platform Engineering role at Nike ITC is designed for seasoned professionals passionate about big data architectures and cloud-native solutions. Reporting to the DAI leadership, you'll architect and own end-to-end data platforms that handle massive volumes of real-time and batch data from Nike's global ecosystem.

This full-time position demands expertise in distributed systems, streaming technologies, and modern data warehousing. You'll lead technical designs, mentor teams, and ensure platforms are reliable, cost-efficient, and scalable. Ideal for engineers with 7+ years of experience seeking high-impact leadership in a dynamic retail-tech environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, deploy, and own complete scalable data platforms and solutions that support Nike's data-intensive operations.
• Lead technical design of new data pipelines, services, and systems using technologies like Apache Spark and Kafka.
• Develop reusable frameworks, libraries, and data management tools to boost engineering productivity across teams.
• Optimize performance and cost-efficiency of data workflows, compute layers, and cloud resources on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Collaborate closely with data scientists, business analysts, product managers, and stakeholders to translate business needs into robust technical solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship to junior engineers, and drive best practices in data platform engineering.
• Ensure uptime, reliability, monitoring, and fault-tolerance of owned systems through advanced observability and IaC practices.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience & Technical Skills

Candidates must have 7+ years of software development experience, with deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, and data platforms. Proficiency in big data technologies like Apache Spark for batch processing and Apache Kafka for real-time streaming is essential.

Advanced knowledge of major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data services is required, alongside hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or AWS CloudFormation. A strong grasp of advanced data modeling techniques and modern data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake, BigQuery) is critical for success.

Soft Skills & Leadership

Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills are non-negotiable. You should demonstrate the ability to design scalable, fault-tolerant, and maintainable distributed systems while thriving in fast-paced, collaborative settings. Proven track record in technical leadership is highly valued.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary estimated at ₹65-95 lakhs per annum, reflecting senior leadership in India's tech hub.
• Comprehensive health insurance, wellness programs, and employee assistance for Nike family members.
• Flexible work options, including hybrid models at Nike ITC in Bengaluru.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and sabbatical opportunities.
• Access to Nike employee product discounts and athlete-inspired perks.
• Learning stipends, certifications in cloud and data tech, and internal mobility programs.

Career Growth

At Nike, career progression is athlete-paced. As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll have clear paths to Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or specialized roles in AI/ML platforms. Nike invests in your growth through mentorship programs, leadership training, and exposure to global projects. Many ITC leaders started in similar roles, advancing to shape Nike's data strategy worldwide.

Participate in hackathons, tech talks, and cross-functional rotations to broaden your impact. Nike's commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures equitable opportunities for all high-performers.

Why Join Us

Join Nike to work on platforms that serve 1B+ athletes, blending retail innovation with cutting-edge tech. In Bengaluru's vibrant tech scene, Nike ITC offers unparalleled scale—processing petabytes of data daily. Collaborate with world-class teams, influence product roadmaps, and see your work drive real business outcomes like personalized recommendations and supply chain optimization.

Nike values bold thinkers who push boundaries. This role isn't just engineering; it's about fueling the future of sport through data.

Role FAQs

What experience level is required?

7+ years in software development, focusing on data platforms and distributed systems.

Which technologies are key?

Apache Spark, Kafka, major clouds (AWS/GCP/Azure), Terraform, advanced data modeling.

Is relocation support available?

Nike provides relocation assistance for eligible candidates to Bengaluru.

What is the work culture like?

Fast-paced, collaborative, with emphasis on innovation, ownership, and work-life balance.

How do I apply?

Submit your resume via Nike's careers portal. Highlight Spark/Kafka projects and leadership experience.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete.