E-3 Visa Lead Designer Jobs
Lead Designer roles in the U.S. qualify for E-3 visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in a design-related field. The E-3 has no lottery and no annual cap, so qualified Australian designers can apply any time they have a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to file a Labor Condition Application.
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Position Type
Full Time
Career area
Design
Location
1 Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, United States
Job ID
R-82862
Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team
NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It’s a place where passionate individuals come together to create the future of sport. We are unapologetic about who we are and what we’re after—bringing innovation and inspiration to every athlete* in the world. We look for athletes who can push boundaries, elevate our potential and continue leading us to greatness. The next tastemakers, playmakers, risk takers and glue players. Are you game?
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This is an individual contributor opportunity reporting to the NA Footwear Design Director and involves working directly with the NA footwear design team and the NA Product Management and Development teams, as well as Nike creative and business stakeholders.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike Local Creation is one of the fastest product engines at Nike, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. This competitive advantage allows the team to capture current and developing market trends as well as regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed. We are looking for a candidate who is an experienced creative leader who embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and will thrive in a team environment.
The ideal Lead Designer will be responsible for establishing seasonal Graphic direction, color, and material strategy for footwear product under the North America Express Lane business. This designer will be an active and energetic participant in the creative process and have excellent cross-functional communication skills, presenting design concepts to internal and external audiences and executing complex deliverables in a fast-paced environment. The Lead Designer will be a versatile creative problem solver who excels under tight deadlines, has a strong understanding of emerging design and fashion trends, and extensive knowledge of footwear construction, color theory, and textiles.
Education
BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred in graphic design, fashion design, industrial design, apparel design, material design, textile design or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience or training.
Experience:
- Preferred design experience: 6+ years
- People management experience: N/A
- Comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging design and fashion trends in sportswear and streetwear footwear and apparel.
- Deep knowledge and experience in Color and/or Material design + Graphics specifically for product.
- Foundational understanding of footwear construction, schematic development and tech pack creation.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines at once.
- Ability to translate consumer insights into thoughtful narratives and graphic storytelling.
- Strong visual and verbal presentation skills; able to effectively show and communicate design intent to internal and external audiences.
- Professional level experience using Illustrator & Photoshop; Miro
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
If this is you, you will be helping to lead the NAEL design team in creating unique, geo-specific collections across Men’s, Women’s, Running and Kids product on a seasonal basis. This will include setting distinct colour and material direction, developing original content and product storytelling. The Lead Designer will work closely with:
- Graphic Designers and production designers to develop prints, patterns and trims.
- Material Developers for all vendor related material development
- Product Management teams to build engaging, trend-driven narratives that meet the needs of target consumers
- Development teams to communicate design intent, help with schematic creation and review and workshop prototypes.
The ideal candidate will also be responsible for managing and designing presentation materials and presenting concepts to internal teams and leadership as well as external partners.
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.
NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.
NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.
What You Can Expect
OUR HIRING GAME PLAN
01 Apply
Our teams are made up of diverse skillsets, knowledge bases, inputs, ideas and backgrounds. We want you to find your fit – review job descriptions, departments and teams to discover the role for you.
02 Meet a Recruiter or Take an Assessment
If selected for a corporate role, a recruiter will reach out to start your interview process and be your main contact throughout the process. For retail roles, you’ll complete an interactive assessment that includes a chat and quizzes and takes about 10-20 minutes to complete. No matter the role, we want to learn about you – the whole you – so don’t shy away from how you approach world-class service and what makes you unique.
03 Interview
Go into this stage confident by doing your research, understanding what we are looking for and being prepared for questions that are set up to learn more about you, and your background.

Position Type
Full Time
Career area
Design
Location
1 Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, United States
Job ID
R-82862
Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team
NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It’s a place where passionate individuals come together to create the future of sport. We are unapologetic about who we are and what we’re after—bringing innovation and inspiration to every athlete* in the world. We look for athletes who can push boundaries, elevate our potential and continue leading us to greatness. The next tastemakers, playmakers, risk takers and glue players. Are you game?
WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH
This is an individual contributor opportunity reporting to the NA Footwear Design Director and involves working directly with the NA footwear design team and the NA Product Management and Development teams, as well as Nike creative and business stakeholders.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Nike Local Creation is one of the fastest product engines at Nike, enabling designers to connect with geo-specific consumers quickly and effectively. This competitive advantage allows the team to capture current and developing market trends as well as regionally relevant narratives with flexibility and speed. We are looking for a candidate who is an experienced creative leader who embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and will thrive in a team environment.
The ideal Lead Designer will be responsible for establishing seasonal Graphic direction, color, and material strategy for footwear product under the North America Express Lane business. This designer will be an active and energetic participant in the creative process and have excellent cross-functional communication skills, presenting design concepts to internal and external audiences and executing complex deliverables in a fast-paced environment. The Lead Designer will be a versatile creative problem solver who excels under tight deadlines, has a strong understanding of emerging design and fashion trends, and extensive knowledge of footwear construction, color theory, and textiles.
Education
BA/BFA/MA/MFA preferred in graphic design, fashion design, industrial design, apparel design, material design, textile design or a related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience or training.
Experience:
- Preferred design experience: 6+ years
- People management experience: N/A
- Comprehensive knowledge of current and emerging design and fashion trends in sportswear and streetwear footwear and apparel.
- Deep knowledge and experience in Color and/or Material design + Graphics specifically for product.
- Foundational understanding of footwear construction, schematic development and tech pack creation.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines at once.
- Ability to translate consumer insights into thoughtful narratives and graphic storytelling.
- Strong visual and verbal presentation skills; able to effectively show and communicate design intent to internal and external audiences.
- Professional level experience using Illustrator & Photoshop; Miro
WHAT YOU’LL WORK ON
If this is you, you will be helping to lead the NAEL design team in creating unique, geo-specific collections across Men’s, Women’s, Running and Kids product on a seasonal basis. This will include setting distinct colour and material direction, developing original content and product storytelling. The Lead Designer will work closely with:
- Graphic Designers and production designers to develop prints, patterns and trims.
- Material Developers for all vendor related material development
- Product Management teams to build engaging, trend-driven narratives that meet the needs of target consumers
- Development teams to communicate design intent, help with schematic creation and review and workshop prototypes.
The ideal candidate will also be responsible for managing and designing presentation materials and presenting concepts to internal teams and leadership as well as external partners.
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.
NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. Nike offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every Nike employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.
NIKE, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.
What You Can Expect
OUR HIRING GAME PLAN
01 Apply
Our teams are made up of diverse skillsets, knowledge bases, inputs, ideas and backgrounds. We want you to find your fit – review job descriptions, departments and teams to discover the role for you.
02 Meet a Recruiter or Take an Assessment
If selected for a corporate role, a recruiter will reach out to start your interview process and be your main contact throughout the process. For retail roles, you’ll complete an interactive assessment that includes a chat and quizzes and takes about 10-20 minutes to complete. No matter the role, we want to learn about you – the whole you – so don’t shy away from how you approach world-class service and what makes you unique.
03 Interview
Go into this stage confident by doing your research, understanding what we are looking for and being prepared for questions that are set up to learn more about you, and your background.
See all 31+ Lead Designer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Lead Designer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Lead Designer
Document your degree's U.S. equivalency early
Australian three-year design degrees are generally accepted as equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor's degree, but have your academic transcripts and credentials ready to show employers who ask. Gaps here slow offer letters down.
Target employers with active design leadership hiring
Focus on companies that have posted Lead Designer roles before and have a dedicated HR or people operations team. Smaller studios often want to sponsor but lack the internal process knowledge to move quickly.
Clarify specialty occupation fit in your cover letter
E-3 eligibility hinges on the role requiring a specific degree field. If the job posting says 'bachelor's preferred' rather than 'required,' flag that during the offer stage so the employer strengthens the LCA job description before filing.
Get your LCA and visa paperwork handled end-to-end
The LCA must be certified by DOL before you can attend your consular interview. Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service to handle your LCA and visa paperwork so nothing stalls between offer acceptance and your start date.
Negotiate your start date around consulate wait times
E-3 interviews are conducted at U.S. consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Wait times vary by city and season, so build at least four to six weeks between your signed offer and your intended start date to avoid rescheduling pressure.
Align your portfolio framing with specialty occupation language
When an employer files your LCA with DOL, they must describe a role requiring specialized design knowledge. Frame your portfolio around systems thinking, cross-functional leadership, and domain expertise rather than general visual output.
Lead Designer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Lead Designer JobsLead Designer E-3 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Lead Designer jobs that offer E-3 visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. It surfaces Lead Designer roles at U.S. employers who are open to E-3 sponsorship, so you're not cold-applying to companies that have never dealt with Australian visa requirements. Most general job boards don't filter by visa type or sponsorship willingness, which wastes significant time at the senior level.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does a Lead Designer role qualify as a specialty occupation for the E-3?
Yes, in most cases. The E-3 requires the position to normally require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as graphic design, industrial design, or a related discipline. Lead Designer roles that involve directing design systems, managing design teams, or owning product visual identity typically satisfy this standard. The job description must reflect that requirement clearly in the LCA filing.
How does the E-3 compare to the H-1B for Australian designers?
The E-3 is significantly more accessible. The H-1B is subject to an annual lottery with roughly a 25% selection rate, meaning most applicants are rejected outright regardless of qualifications. The E-3 has no lottery and no annual cap, so if you're Australian, have a qualifying job offer, and meet the degree requirement, approval is substantially more predictable. You can also apply at any time of year.
Can I switch employers on the E-3 if I receive a better offer?
Yes. The E-3 is employer-specific, so your new employer must file a fresh LCA with DOL and you'll need a new visa stamp if yours is expiring. If your current E-3 stamp is still valid and you're inside the U.S., some applicants renew at a consulate rather than adjusting status. Starting the process as soon as you have a signed offer avoids gaps in work authorization.
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