He worked for Swire's Coca-Cola bottling plant in Salt Lake City, then attended BYU's J. Reuben Clark Law School, graduating in 1986 with a Juris Doctor degree.

Nye began his legal career in 1986 in Burley, Idaho as a law clerk to Judge George G. Granata of the state's Fifth District Court.

In 2007, Nye became a judge in the Sixth Judicial District and presided over civil and criminal matters for ten years.

[6][7] Nye was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge Edward Lodge, who assumed senior status on July 3, 2015.

Shortly after the 2016 election, Senators Crapo and Risch indicated that if Nye was not confirmed by year's end, they would recommend him to incoming President Donald Trump for renomination in the 115th Congress.