Director, Software Engineering

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH As Director of Software Engineering for the Corporate Function CF Data Pod in DAI, you will lead a high-performing team of software engineers focused on building and scaling Nike’s data platforms and marketplace capabilities. You will collaborate closely with product managers, architects, principal engineers, and leaders across Nike’s Global Technology teams, driving alignment and technical decisions to support the CF domain’s modernization and analytics goals WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR Nike seeks a strategic, visionary Director of Software Engineering to lead the Corporate Function - CF Pod within DAI. This leader will drive the architecture, delivery, and operational excellence of cloud-native data platforms and marketplace solutions, enabling decentralized data ownership and enterprise-wide discoverability. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in distributed systems, data mesh architectures, and marketplace enablement, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and technical excellence. Leadership & Management 15 years in software engineering with 5 years leading engineering teams with success in hiring, mentoring, and growing talent. Experience building inclusive, high-performing teams and fostering a culture of ownership and accountability. Strong focus on automation-driven scaling to reduce toil and minimize human error. Emphasis on engineering best practices (code reviews, release management). Ability to translate strategy into measurable objectives and drive process improvement. Ensure successful delivery of roadmap items through cross-functional problem-solving Technical Expertise Strong foundations in distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, and data platforms. Deep knowledge of modern architectural principles (REST, domain-driven design, microservices). Expertise in at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, GCP, or OCI). Hands-on experience with Databricks, Snowflake, AWS RDS, Azure SQL, GCP Cloud SQL, Python, Apache Spark, and Apache Airflow. Experience with CI/CD automations through Jenkins, GitHub integration strategies, and serverless architectures and NoSQL databases Proven ability to design and deliver Self-service platforms and automation capabilities through Data-as-a-Service platforms with observability and governance. Design and implement cloud compute governance policies and automation to optimize resource utilization, cost management, and compliance Familiarity with front-end frameworks (React, Vue.Js) and back-end technologies (Node.Js, Python). WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON You will lead, mentor, and manage multiple engineering squads to deliver software aligned to cross-functional and multi-year roadmaps, supporting Nike’s hybrid data mesh and marketplace strategy for the CF domain. You will build a culture of trust and innovation, enabling continuous transformational change and accelerating Nike’s technical maturity. Responsibilities Lead and manage software engineering teams responsible for building and maintaining scalable data platforms and marketplace services for the CF Domain. Collaborate with product managers, architects, and engineering leaders to define and execute the technical roadmap for CF data modernization. Champion the implementation of hybrid data mesh architecture and enterprise data marketplace for the business domain, enabling domain autonomy and centralized governance. Empower teams to produce and manage data products autonomously, leveraging standardized metadata, APIs, and access controls. Design and implement cloud-native architectures leveraging major cloud platforms, ensuring robust, secure, and cost-effective solutions. Drive the development of SDKs, APIs, and microservices for seamless integration and interoperability across Nike’s data ecosystem. Ensure adherence to security best practices, compliance requirements, and data governance standards. Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, innovation, and engineering excellence. Align engineering initiatives with organizational goals such as modernization, cloud cost optimization, and data governance. Enable decentralized domain ownership and self-service data product management, supporting the hybrid data mesh and marketplace vision. Accelerate time-to-insight and operational decision-making for CF business partners by delivering high-quality, discoverable, and secure data products. Support cross-functional innovation and monetization through marketplace analytics and cross-charging models. Report on team progress, challenges, and outcomes to senior leadership.