H-1B Visa Lead Designer Jobs
Lead Designer roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Many studios, tech companies, and agencies file LCAs for this title annually. Your portfolio, degree equivalency, and employer's prevailing wage compliance all factor into a clean filing.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition 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 125+ 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 H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Lead Designer
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
H-1B eligibility for Lead Designer hinges on a directly related degree. If your background is in fine arts or a non-design field, prepare a credential evaluation that maps your coursework to the role's technical requirements before any employer files your petition.
Check LCA filings by design job code
Lead Designer typically maps to SOC code 27-1021 (Commercial and Industrial Designers) or 15-1255 (Web and Digital Interface Designers). Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm which code your prospective employer used and whether the offered wage meets that code's prevailing wage level.
Target employers with active design LCA history
Search H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate to find employers who have filed LCAs specifically for design roles. Companies with repeat filings in your SOC code are far more likely to have an established process and legal counsel already familiar with design specialty occupation arguments.
Build a portfolio that documents specialty occupation
USCIS adjudicators look for evidence the role requires specialized knowledge. Structure your portfolio to show advanced UX research methods, design systems architecture, or complex interaction problems, not just polished visuals. Framing the work around theoretical and applied design knowledge strengthens the specialty occupation case.
Clarify cap-exempt status during offer negotiations
If a prospective employer is a university, nonprofit research institution, or affiliated entity, your petition may be cap-exempt, bypassing the annual H-1B lottery entirely. Ask HR during the offer stage whether the organization qualifies, since cap-exempt filings can be submitted at any point in the year.
Understand the 60-day grace period between design roles
If your current H-1B employment ends before a new Lead Designer offer is filed, you have a 60-day grace period to secure a new sponsoring employer. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before that window closes for you to maintain lawful status without a gap.
Lead Designer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Lead Designer JobsLead Designer H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lead Designer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as graphic design, interaction design, or human-computer interaction. Generalist creative roles where any degree is acceptable can run into specialty occupation rejections, so the job description must specify the degree requirement explicitly. Your employer's petition should document why the role demands that specialized body of knowledge.
Which SOC code is typically used for Lead Designer H-1B petitions?
Most Lead Designer filings use SOC code 27-1021 for Commercial and Industrial Designers or 15-1255 for Web and Digital Interface Designers, depending on the role's primary focus. The SOC code determines the prevailing wage level your employer must certify on the LCA. You can verify both codes and their wage levels through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer.
How do I find employers who regularly sponsor H-1B visas for design roles?
Migrate Mate lets you filter job listings by verified H-1B sponsorship history, including design-specific LCA filings. This is more reliable than inferring sponsorship willingness from job postings, since many companies sponsor H-1B visas but don't advertise it. Prioritizing employers with repeated filings in your SOC code significantly shortens the time from application to petition.
Can my employer file an H-1B transfer if I change Lead Designer roles mid-status?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new employer as soon as they file a non-frivolous H-1B transfer petition, as long as you've been in valid H-1B status for at least 180 days. The new employer must file a separate I-129 with a new LCA certified at the prevailing wage for the new role's location and SOC code.
What documentation should I prepare for an H-1B Lead Designer petition?
Your employer's attorney will typically need your degree transcripts, a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., your portfolio or work samples that establish the specialized nature of the role, and an offer letter that specifies the design-related degree requirement. O*NET occupation data for your SOC code is often cited in the petition to support specialty occupation arguments.
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