Lead, Footwear Computational Design

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

We are seeking a Lead Computational Designer to join the Footwear Digital Design Studio within Nike's Innovation Team. The Digital Design Studio, part of the Advanced Digital Creation Studio, is dedicated to evolving how product is designed, pairing advanced algorithmic and geometric exploration with emerging tools like Generative AI to expand the design space and shape new ways of working. The successful candidate will report to the Director of Footwear Digital Design and will lead computational workstreams alongside innovators, designers, and engineers.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a creative, hands-on computational designer who leads through the work, with a strong design portfolio, deep fluency in algorithmic and geometric design, and a clear point of view on where the discipline is going. You bring proven experience translating complex design intent into algorithms and geometry, and you treat methods of make, from 3D tooling to machine code and toolpath design, as part of the creative space rather than a downstream concern. You are energized by emerging tools, including Generative AI, and you actively integrate them into your process to push aesthetic and functional outcomes further. You thrive in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams, lead by example, and help peers level up their craft as you push your own.

What you bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Art, Architecture, Industrial Design, or Computer Science (visual design/imaging focus) or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training.

• 5+ years experience using computational design in product design or related fields, with a portfolio demonstrating advanced algorithmic and geometric work.

• Highly skilled in 2D design and 3D modeling software (Rhino/Grasshopper, Houdini, Maya, Blender, Adobe Suite, etc.)

• Proficiency in coding languages (Python, C#, Vex) for creative applications and computational design thinking, including toolpath and machine-code generation.

• Experience with Generative AI tools and workflows (image, geometry, or code generation) applied to design ideation, exploration, or production is a strong plus.

• Curiosity and conviction about future ways of working — eager to challenge legacy processes and bring the team along.

• Prefer 3+ years experience in 3D printing solutions and/or computational methods of make.

• Possess an in depth understanding of digital creation market trends and new technologies.

• Ability to think critically and creatively in solving complex problems.

• Ability to communicate effectively with cross-disciplinary teams of product designers, developers, and engineers.

WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON

As the Lead Computational Designer, you will develop design algorithms for product concepts within Nike Innovation and Inline Product Creation. Your primary work involves designing through code, tailoring your outputs to meet manufacturing needs whether 3D tooling, 2D print files, or machine code. You will manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all deliverables meet the highest quality standards, and helping define how the team works in the next era of digital design.

· You will lead advanced algorithm and geometry creation across product concepts, owning the path from creative intent to manufacturable output, including toolpath design and machine-code generation where the geometry meets the method of make.

· You will drive exploration of Generative AI and emerging tools, piloting workflows that integrate AI, performance data, and 3D geometry into the team's everyday process.

· You will partner daily in Rhino/Grasshopper and procedural environments (Houdini or equivalent), independently developing algorithms to fulfill project requirements while raising the technical bar for the team.

· You will serve as an integrated computational lead on multi-disciplinary product teams, while also helping shape the broader Digital Design team's craft, tools, and ways of working.

· You will collaborate with development and manufacturing teams to evolve the intersection of design aesthetics, performance, and innovative methods of make, translating new manufacturing methods back into design opportunity.

· You will maintain the culture and reputation of the Digital Design team in your daily interactions.

· You may travel to support product development as needed.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.