WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
As a Senior Footwear Tooling Engineer, this role serves as a key technical expert, providing tooling engineering solutions across Nike's global organization and manufacturing network. The position partners with cross-functional teams throughout the footwear creation and manufacturing process, driving tooling strategy, mold manufacturing excellence, and tooling innovation to deliver exceptional quality, speed, and cost competitiveness while enabling scalable and sustainable manufacturing.
This role collaborates closely with global and local Tooling Engineering, Product Creation, and Manufacturing teams. Externally, the position works with Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturing partners to develop effective, scalable, and high-performing tooling solutions.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike is seeking an experienced and passionate tooling engineering professional with a strong background in footwear tooling, mold design and manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strategic thinking and a proven ability to solve complex engineering challenges while driving continuous improvement.
The successful candidate is recognized as a technical expert who can influence tooling engineering decisions, develop innovative and scalable tooling solutions, and build strong partnerships across cross-functional teams and external partners. This individual thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is motivated by delivering solutions that elevate quality, capability, efficiency, and operational excellence.
- Minimum 3-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, tool design, molds and dies, precision manufacturing, injection plastics, or related industries. Footwear industry experience is an advantage.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, metallurgy, or a related technical discipline.
- Extensive knowledge of mold design, manufacturing, validation, maintenance, and tooling materials, including steels, aluminum alloys, heat treatment, wear resistance, corrosion protection, and material selection for tooling applications.
- Strong understanding of engineering drawings, tolerances, dimensional inspection and measurement, root cause analysis, and manufacturing processes including Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), fine casting, rapid prototyping, chemical etching, and polishing.
- Strong knowledge of footwear sole materials, including rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), Phylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyurethane (PU), and their processing characteristics, shrinkage behavior, and tooling requirements.
- Working knowledge of engineering methodologies and continuous improvement tools, including Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Lean Manufacturing, and Six Sigma, combined with strong analytical thinking, a growth mindset, and a continuous improvement orientation.
- Experience implementing advanced manufacturing technologies such as laser processing, laser cleaning, digital manufacturing, automation, simulation, and metal additive manufacturing technologies, including Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to cross-functional engineering projects and collaborating with suppliers and manufacturing partners across multiple regions, supported by strong communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
- Ability to travel frequently to manufacturing sites and partner locations as required.
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
As a Senior Tooling Engineer, you will be part of Nike's global Tooling Engineering team and lead initiatives that support the successful development and manufacturing of Nike footwear. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and manufacturing partners to develop world-class tooling solutions, improve processes, and drive engineering excellence. Your work will focus on delivering reliable, innovative, and cost-effective tooling solutions while supporting new product launches and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide tooling engineering expertise from product development through manufacturing.
- Lead mold design reviews and drive tooling validation, process effectiveness, quality, and manufacturing readiness.
- Develop and implement global tooling standards and engineering best practices.
- Lead tooling improvement initiatives focused on quality, durability, productivity, sustainability, and cost optimization.
- Support new product development, engineering changes, manufacturing readiness, and factory transfer activities.
- Evaluate, develop, and implement advanced manufacturing technologies across Nike tooling applications.
- Mentor and coach factory partners and engineers to strengthen tooling capabilities, technical expertise, and problem-solving effectiveness.
