Materials Development

About the Role

As a Materials Developer contractor at Nike, you will help bring innovative products to life by managing the development of materials from concept through commercialization. This role partners with cross-functional teams to deliver material solutions that meet quality, performance, cost, and sustainability goals.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development of materials from concept through commercialization, ensuring delivery against critical timelines and product specifications.
• Partner with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Materials Design teams to deliver innovative material solutions.
• Collaborate with vendors to develop, sample, test, and refine materials that meet quality, performance, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Track and facilitate prototype and sample development, identifying and resolving technical or manufacturing challenges throughout the product creation process.
• Create and maintain material specifications, documentation, and development records to support commercialization.
• Monitor material testing and communicate risks, challenges, and recommendations to ensure product integrity and readiness.
• Research industry trends, emerging technologies, and consumer insights to identify new material opportunities and drive innovation.
• Support material selection by balancing design intent, functionality, manufacturability, profitability, and sustainability.
• Partner with manufacturing and sourcing teams to support material costing, production readiness, and successful commercialization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Apparel Design, Product Development, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of experience in materials development, product development, footwear, apparel, textiles, or a related product creation environment.
• Understanding of material development, manufacturing processes, and the product creation lifecycle from concept through commercialization.
• Knowledge of textiles, trims, leathers, synthetics, components, or other material types is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Proactive, curious mindset with a passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and consumer-focused product creation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with product lifecycle management (PLM), material management systems, or related digital tools is a plus.

Work Options

Hybrid Onsite: Monday–Thursday

Locations

Beaverton, OR | Boston, MA