Lead Product Development Engineer, Automation Controls & Safety , Air MI

WHO YOULL WORK WITH

Nike Air Manufacturing and Innovation is a fast-paced production environment. This role will work with a highly skilled team of Automation and Controls engineers to lead solutioning technology scouting and playbook development for automation initiatives. You will partner with Production Planning Maintenance EHS Product Engineering IT and external vendors to define pilot and scale automation solutions. This role reports to the Director Product Development Engineering Automation Controls and Safety and will collaborate with the wider Nike ecosystem to drive best-in-class automation strategies.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a Lead Engineer dedicated to Automation Solutioning. This role is responsible for technology scouting PoC development and playbook creation for scalable deployment. You will own the technical roadmap for automation ensuring solutions are aligned with business priorities and ready for network-wide scale. Candidates should be comfortable with ambiguity demonstrate strong collaboration and leadership skills and have a bias for action and results.

Key attributes for this role include:

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education experience or training

• Minimum 6 years experience in automation solution development controls or robotics.
• Proven experience leading automation projects from concept through pilot and scale.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience with structured problem solving and technology scouting.
• Familiarity with automation project lifecycle (PoC Pilot Scale).
• Knowledge of robotic systems (ABB Denso) vision systems (Keyence Cognex) and integration to MES/WMS and OT security standards.
• Experience developing technical playbooks and solution standards for scalable deployment.
• Strong vendor management and external partnership skills.

WHAT YOULL WORK ON

As the Lead Automation Solutioning Engineer you will:

• Own the technical roadmap for automation themes including technology scouting solution definition and playbook development.
• Scout and evaluate new technologies for feasibility and impact; define PoC protocols and success criteria.
• Lead PoC development and pilot execution partnering with vendors and internal teams to validate solutions.
• Develop and maintain playbooks for scalable deployment including BOMs drawings standards and acceptance criteria.
• Collaborate with site engineering and integration teams to ensure solutions are production-ready and meet business needs.
• Drive benefit validation and readiness for scale working closely with the Global Process Owner and Finance.
• Provide technical leadership and training to cross-functional teams on new automation solutions and standards.
• Communicate progress risks and learnings to leadership and stakeholders.

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.