Principal Data Scientist, Nike Sport Research Lab - Beaverton, Oregon

About Nike

Nike is the global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and services, empowering athletes worldwide with groundbreaking innovations. At the heart of Nike's success is the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL), a powerhouse of multidisciplinary research driving measurable improvements in human performance. If you have a body, you're an athlete—and NSRL leads with science to make every athlete better. Join Nike's Beaverton headquarters to pioneer the future of sport science, blending data, technology, and human potential.

Role Overview

As Principal Data Scientist in the Nike Sport Research Lab, you'll harness advanced data science to revolutionize athlete performance and product innovation. Reporting to the Director of Data Science, you'll partner with experts in physiology, biomechanics, perception, and behavioral science. This full-time role in Beaverton, Oregon, demands a strategic thinker with deep technical prowess in machine learning, signal processing, and statistical modeling. Thrive in a collaborative culture of curiosity and impact, delivering scalable solutions that shape Nike's digital experiences and products.

Key Responsibilities

Your work will directly influence Nike's sport science frontier:

• Apply expertise in signal processing, machine learning, sensor fusion, and computer vision to tackle complex problems using large, diverse datasets from wearables and sensors.
• Develop and deploy production-ready predictive models powering personalized athlete and consumer experiences.
• Define, initiate, and lead analytics and modeling initiatives across multidisciplinary teams.
• Translate business and research needs into actionable data strategies, implementing cutting-edge methods from academic papers.
• Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and scientists to accelerate innovative product development.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical/Biomedical Engineering, Economics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7-9+ years in Data Science, with proven skills in data synthesis, machine learning, statistical modeling, causal inference, or signal processing.
• Expertise in Python and stacks like NumPy, SciPy, pandas, Spark; experience with AWS, Databricks, and SQL.
• Software engineering best practices: Git, code reviews, CI/CD, automated tests, reproducible environments.
• Strong record of leading analytics efforts and communicating technical insights effectively.

Desired Qualifications

• Advanced experience in experimental design, A/B testing, causal inference, deep learning, and computer vision.
• Knowledge of time-series analysis, bio-signals, wearables, and domains like cardiovascular physiology or biomechanics.
• Peer-reviewed publications, leadership in data teams, and impactful data visualizations.
• Building robust data pipelines for quality and scalability.

Benefits & Perks

Nike offers premium compensation estimated at $230,000-$280,000 USD annually, reflecting principal-level impact in tech/retail. Enjoy comprehensive benefits including health coverage, retirement plans, employee discounts on Nike products, and wellness programs. Work in state-of-the-art Beaverton facilities with flexible schedules, parental leave, and tuition reimbursement. Nike's culture prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and athlete-first innovation.

Career Growth

Advance your career at Nike by leading high-impact projects in sport research. Gain visibility across Nike's global teams, mentor emerging data scientists, and contribute to peer-reviewed work. Nike invests in your growth through training, conferences, and leadership development, positioning you for director-level roles in data science or research.

Why Join Us

Be part of NSRL's legacy of breakthroughs—from motion analysis to AI-driven performance insights. Collaborate with top minds in a supportive, innovative environment recognized industry-wide. At Nike, your work measurably betters athletes, blending passion for sports with cutting-edge tech. This Principal Data Scientist role offers unparalleled influence on products worn by millions.

Role FAQs

What experience level is required?

7-9+ years in data science, with PhD/Master’s preferred and expertise in ML/signal processing.

Is relocation support available?

Nike provides competitive relocation packages for Beaverton roles.

What tools will I use?

Python, Spark, AWS, Databricks, SQL, and advanced ML frameworks daily.

How does this role impact Nike products?

Your models enhance footwear, apparel, and apps through data-driven athlete insights.

Apply now to elevate sport science at Nike. Keywords: Nike data scientist jobs, machine learning careers Beaverton, sport research lab Oregon, principal data science roles.