About Nike

Nike, the world's leading sports brand, empowers athletes* through innovation in data, technology, and design. With a mission to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world, Nike's Data & AI (DAI) team builds scalable platforms that drive personalized experiences and data-powered decisions across its global ecosystem. Headquartered in the US but with a thriving presence in India, Nike invests heavily in technology to stay ahead in the competitive retail and consumer space. Joining Nike means contributing to iconic brands like Air Jordan, Nike Running, and more while working on world-class tech infrastructure.

Role Overview

As a Principal Software Engineer, ITC at Nike in Karnataka, India, you'll be the visionary leader shaping the future of our data platforms. This senior individual contributor role demands 15+ years of expertise in distributed systems, big data technologies like Apache Spark and Kafka, and cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. You'll own the multi-year technical roadmap, architect complex initiatives, and mentor the next generation of engineers. Ideal for strategic thinkers who thrive in ambiguity, influence without authority, and communicate technical trade-offs to executives. This full-time position offers a chance to solve Nike's most challenging problems in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

In this pivotal role, you'll drive technical excellence across Nike's DAI ecosystem:

• Define and own the multi-year technical roadmap for the data platform, aligning with Nike's global business goals.
• Lead architectural design for complex, cross-cutting initiatives that span multiple teams and departments.
• Evaluate emerging technologies like advanced real-time analytics and champion their adoption through proven patterns.
• Establish engineering best practices, design patterns, and quality standards to ensure scalable, secure platforms.
• Mentor senior engineers and team leads, fostering technical leadership and knowledge sharing.
• Act as the ultimate escalation point for critical production issues, solving the toughest technical challenges.
• Communicate complex concepts and trade-offs to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders effectively.

Qualifications & Requirements

To succeed, you'll bring:

• 15+ years of software development experience with deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, and data platforms.
• Mastery of big data technologies including Apache Spark, Kafka, and real-time analytics databases.
• Strong proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their data services ecosystem.
• Proven understanding of data governance, security architecture, and compliance in enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive major technical changes, gain consensus across teams, and navigate ambiguity.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Benefits & Perks

Nike offers premium benefits tailored for top tech talent in India:

• Competitive salary estimated at ₹65-95 lakhs per annum, reflecting principal-level impact in retail-tech.
• Comprehensive health insurance, wellness programs, and employee discounts on Nike products.
• Flexible work options, including hybrid models in Karnataka.
• Learning stipends for certifications in AWS, Spark, and emerging tech.
• Generous parental leave, fitness reimbursements, and global mobility opportunities.

Career Growth

At Nike, principal engineers like you are groomed for Distinguished Engineer or Director-level roles. You'll collaborate with global DAI leaders, influence enterprise architecture, and lead innovation in AI-driven personalization for millions of athletes. Nike's commitment to internal mobility means opportunities across Nike Tech, Direct-to-Consumer platforms, and Supply Chain tech. With mentorship programs and leadership training, this role accelerates your path to executive tech leadership.

Why Join Us

Be part of Nike's transformation into a tech-powered sports giant. In Karnataka, India, you'll join a high-caliber team tackling real-world scale: petabytes of data, real-time personalization, and secure platforms serving billions in revenue. Enjoy a culture of innovation, where your ideas shape products loved by athletes worldwide. Nike values diversity, inclusion, and bold thinking—perfect for visionaries ready to elevate data engineering to new heights.

Role FAQs

What is the experience level required?

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

Is relocation support provided?

Nike offers relocation assistance for qualified candidates to Karnataka, India.

What tech stack will I work with?

Core stack includes Apache Spark, Kafka, AWS/Azure/GCP services, with room to introduce emerging tools.

Is this a leadership or individual contributor role?

Principal-level individual contributor (ITC) with heavy influence and mentorship responsibilities.

How does Nike support work-life balance?

Hybrid work, unlimited PTO, and wellness initiatives promote sustainable high performance.

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