OPT Lead Designer Jobs
Lead Designer roles on OPT require demonstrating strategic design ownership, not just execution skills. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT work authorization. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree field, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Type
Career area
Advanced Innovation
Location
1 Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, United States
Job ID
R-88358
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
Nike's Design Generative Studio is exploring the future of footwear design at the intersection of creativity and AI technology. You'll partner with world-class designers and engineers globally, reporting to the Generative Studio leadership. Your work will directly impact design teams worldwide as you help build and implement AI-augmented workflows that empower our creative community. You'll collaborate closely with AI/ML engineers, footwear designers, and global technology teams to help transform how Nike approaches product creation.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for a GenAI designer who is both a strong designer and a hands-on tool builder. You bring solid creative foundations paired with a genuine passion for generative AI, an appetite for learning fast, and a natural drive to share what you build with others. You're not just a tool user — you like rolling up your sleeves to create solutions when existing tools fall short, and you're comfortable working at the intersection of art and technology. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys bridging experimental AI prototypes and production-ready tools, and who can translate design needs into technical requirements (and back the other way).
- 4–5 years of experience in design, with clear steps toward creative technology and tool-building
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Architecture, Fashion Design, or a related creative discipline. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training
- Hands-on experience with node-based, visual coding environments for generative AI creative tooling, and a track record of building custom workflows within them
- Solid working knowledge of 2D and 3D design workflows and software, with an understanding of footwear design principles (or the ability to quickly pick this up)
- Awareness of additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and how AI-generated concepts can move into physical prototypes.
- Portfolio showing both creative output and technical/tool-building work
Bonus: experience with spatial computing (AR/VR), web development for rapid prototyping, or active participation in the AI/design community
WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON
You'll help shape how Nike approaches footwear design by building and refining AI-augmented workflows that fit naturally into our creative process. Alongside the wider team, you'll create custom tools, support adoption across the design community, and contribute to defining a new creative discipline at Nike.
- Partner with footwear designers to understand existing 2D and 3D creative workflows, and identify high-value opportunities for AI augmentation that enhance rather than replace human creativity
- Design and prototype clean, modern generative AI workflows using node-based visual coding environments, tailored to footwear design challenges, iterating quickly on feedback from the design community
- Collaborate with global AI/ML engineers to accelerate the development and deployment of generative AI solutions, acting as a link between creative and engineering teams and translating design needs into technical requirements
- Help scale prototypes from proof-of-concept toward enterprise-grade tools that serve designers worldwide, working with global technology teams on reliability, performance, and accessibility
- Support AI adoption by contributing to training materials, workshops, and demonstrations that make generative AI tools approachable for designers of all technical levels
- Stay close to developments in generative AI, evaluating and integrating new models and techniques, and helping build a culture of experimentation on the team
- Share learnings and best practices across the organization to grow the wider design community's capabilities and help drive adoption of new methodologies
- Provide hands-on support to design teams during key moments such as Creative Launch, Creative Direction Week, and other design reviews, so teams can get the most out of AI tools when it matters most.
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
Career area
Advanced Innovation
Location
1 Bowerman Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, United States
Job ID
R-88358
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
Nike's Design Generative Studio is exploring the future of footwear design at the intersection of creativity and AI technology. You'll partner with world-class designers and engineers globally, reporting to the Generative Studio leadership. Your work will directly impact design teams worldwide as you help build and implement AI-augmented workflows that empower our creative community. You'll collaborate closely with AI/ML engineers, footwear designers, and global technology teams to help transform how Nike approaches product creation.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We're looking for a GenAI designer who is both a strong designer and a hands-on tool builder. You bring solid creative foundations paired with a genuine passion for generative AI, an appetite for learning fast, and a natural drive to share what you build with others. You're not just a tool user — you like rolling up your sleeves to create solutions when existing tools fall short, and you're comfortable working at the intersection of art and technology. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys bridging experimental AI prototypes and production-ready tools, and who can translate design needs into technical requirements (and back the other way).
- 4–5 years of experience in design, with clear steps toward creative technology and tool-building
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Architecture, Fashion Design, or a related creative discipline. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience, and training
- Hands-on experience with node-based, visual coding environments for generative AI creative tooling, and a track record of building custom workflows within them
- Solid working knowledge of 2D and 3D design workflows and software, with an understanding of footwear design principles (or the ability to quickly pick this up)
- Awareness of additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and how AI-generated concepts can move into physical prototypes.
- Portfolio showing both creative output and technical/tool-building work
Bonus: experience with spatial computing (AR/VR), web development for rapid prototyping, or active participation in the AI/design community
WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON
You'll help shape how Nike approaches footwear design by building and refining AI-augmented workflows that fit naturally into our creative process. Alongside the wider team, you'll create custom tools, support adoption across the design community, and contribute to defining a new creative discipline at Nike.
- Partner with footwear designers to understand existing 2D and 3D creative workflows, and identify high-value opportunities for AI augmentation that enhance rather than replace human creativity
- Design and prototype clean, modern generative AI workflows using node-based visual coding environments, tailored to footwear design challenges, iterating quickly on feedback from the design community
- Collaborate with global AI/ML engineers to accelerate the development and deployment of generative AI solutions, acting as a link between creative and engineering teams and translating design needs into technical requirements
- Help scale prototypes from proof-of-concept toward enterprise-grade tools that serve designers worldwide, working with global technology teams on reliability, performance, and accessibility
- Support AI adoption by contributing to training materials, workshops, and demonstrations that make generative AI tools approachable for designers of all technical levels
- Stay close to developments in generative AI, evaluating and integrating new models and techniques, and helping build a culture of experimentation on the team
- Share learnings and best practices across the organization to grow the wider design community's capabilities and help drive adoption of new methodologies
- Provide hands-on support to design teams during key moments such as Creative Launch, Creative Direction Week, and other design reviews, so teams can get the most out of AI tools when it matters most.
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 86+ OPT Lead Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Lead Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Lead Designer
Frame your portfolio around business outcomes
Hiring managers for lead roles want to see how your design decisions drove measurable results. Pair every case study with metrics like conversion lift, user retention, or revenue impact to position yourself above execution-focused candidates.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Lead Designer roles often involve onboarding ramp-up of 60 to 90 days. Make sure your remaining OPT authorization covers that period, and be transparent with employers about your timeline so they can plan for future sponsorship accordingly.
Target companies with existing design infrastructure
Startups without a dedicated design team often expect lead hires to build everything from scratch, which compresses your contribution window on OPT. Companies with established design systems let you demonstrate strategic impact faster within your authorization period.
Demonstrate cross-functional leadership in interviews
Lead Designer roles require influencing engineers, product managers, and stakeholders. Prepare specific examples of driving alignment across teams, managing design critique sessions, or advocating for user needs against competing business priorities during the interview process.
Confirm STEM OPT eligibility with your DSO early
Design roles under CIP codes like Human-Computer Interaction or Digital Communication may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Verifying this with your Designated School Official before accepting an offer protects you from unexpected authorization gaps.
Research each employer's history with visa sponsorship
Not all companies that hire on OPT will transition you to H-1B visa. Before committing to a role, ask recruiters directly about their sponsorship track record for design positions and whether they have an immigration attorney on retainer.
Lead Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lead Designer role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, Lead Designer roles typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as graphic design, interaction design, or human-computer interaction. The degree requirement must apply to the specific role, not just be preferred. If the job posting says any bachelor's degree is acceptable, that can weaken the specialty occupation argument and cause complications with future H-1B sponsorship.
Can I work as a Lead Designer on OPT if my degree is in a non-design field?
It depends on the field. A computer science or psychology degree can support a Lead Designer role if your coursework covered HCI, UX research, or visual systems. A degree in an unrelated field is harder to justify. Your DSO can advise on whether your specific degree and the job description align for OPT authorization purposes.
Where can I find Lead Designer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to search, since the job board is specifically built for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored roles. Listings are filtered for employers open to work authorization, so you avoid wasting time on applications where sponsorship is a nonstarter. Browse Lead Designer roles on Migrate Mate to find employers already familiar with OPT hiring.
Does a Lead Designer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It can, but it depends on your degree's CIP code, not your job title. Degrees in Human-Computer Interaction (CIP 11.0801), Information Technology (CIP 11.0103), or certain engineering programs can support a STEM extension for a design role. Degrees in fine arts or communication design typically do not qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming you're eligible.
What should I know about H-1B sponsorship timelines when taking a Lead Designer role on OPT?
The H-1B lottery opens in March for an October 1 start date. If you start a Lead Designer role mid-year on OPT, your employer needs to register you in the lottery within your first few months of employment. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, and a STEM extension can give you another 24 months if eligible, providing more runway if you miss a lottery cycle.