Lead Data Engineer

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH You’ll join the Foundational Platform Engineering team, a pivotal group driving technology modernization across Nike Global Technology. This team partners with multiple business and platform teams to build scalable, secure, and innovative solutions that power Nike’s digital transformation journey. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR We are looking for a proven full-stack engineer with deep backend expertise and strong frontend capabilities who thrives in designing, building, and scaling modern platforms. The ideal candidate is proficient in Java, microservices architecture, AWS cloud services, Node.js, and modern front-end frameworks, and has a keen ability to integrate emerging technologies that enable speed, scalability, and intelligence. You have a track record of modernizing legacy systems, leading migrations to cloud-native architectures, and building future-ready platforms. You bring a strong architectural mindset, hands-on engineering experience, and the ability to influence and mentor teams in a fast-paced, ever-changing technology landscape. Key Skills & Qualifications : 8–12 years of software engineering experience, including leadership roles Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Experience in DataBricks Strong backend expertise: Java, microservices, and API-first design (REST/GraphQL) Cloud-native architecture on AWS (Lambda, ECS/EKS, DynamoDB, S3, CloudFormation/Terraform) Event-driven systems, streaming (Kafka, Kinesis), and serverless-first principles Databricks, SQL, and PySpark for designing and orchestrating large-scale data pipelines and advanced analytics workloads CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) Solid frontend experience: Node.js as a key skill Familiarity with React, Angular, or Vue Ability to deliver intuitive, scalable interfaces for internal and platform tools Exposure to AI/ML integration, generative AI concepts, and data-driven system design Experience driving build-vs-buy decisions and creating scalable custom solutions Proven ability to mentor and influence engineering teams across multiple functions. WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON You will lead the design, development, and modernization of core Nike platforms, replacing legacy systems with high-performance, cloud-native, and future-proof solutions. You’ll collaborate with engineering, product, and platform teams to deliver scalable technology that accelerates Nike’s global strategy. Architect, design, and build critical modernization initiatives across the Nike technology landscape Replace legacy systems with custom-built, cloud-native solutions that enhance speed and scalability Contribute to both backend and frontend development with a focus on modern, flexible architectures Design, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines leveraging Databricks notebooks, Spark SQL, and Python to enable efficient ETL, data transformation, and enterprise analytics solutions. Partner with cross-functional teams to align on build-vs-buy strategies and modernization roadmaps Drive engineering best practices, security standards, and high-quality code delivery Mentor engineers and build a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement Champion future-ready technologies including AI/ML readiness, serverless-first design, and real-time data capabilities Leadership Traits: Strategic thinking with a focus on modernization at enterprise scale Ability to influence without direct authority across diverse teams Exceptional communication skills for both technical and executive stakeholders Resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving, high-velocity environment Commitment to continuous learning and enabling adoption of emerging technologies