Job Title: Product Development Engineer – Coated Fabrics (Automotive)
Location: Morganton, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Director of R&D / Product Development Manager
Benefits: Full benefits package including company-paid healthcare
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Product Development Engineer to join our R&D and product innovation team focused on coated and functional fabrics for the automotive industry . This role involves working on the full product lifecycle — from concept and material selection to testing, validation, and commercialization. The ideal candidate will have a background in textiles, materials, or engineering and a passion for developing high-performance products that meet stringent industry standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and optimize coated textile products for automotive applications (e.g., seating, interior trim).
- Work with cross-functional teams to define product specifications based on customer and market requirements.
- Perform lab-scale and pilot testing of textile coatings, laminations, and treatments to enhance fabric performance (e.g., durability, flame resistance, aesthetics).
- Support scale-up to manufacturing and work with production teams to ensure smooth product launches.
- Analyze test data, generate technical documentation, and present results internally and to customers.
- Interface with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers for technical discussions and qualification processes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and innovation in coating technologies and fabric constructions.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering , or a related field.
- 0–20 years of experience in product development, R&D, or technical roles within the textile or coated fabrics industry.
- Understanding of coated fabrics, textile construction, and finishing processes.
- Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with automotive industry standards and testing protocols (e.g., FMVSS, SAE, OEM specifications).
- Familiarity with coating formulations, polymer chemistry, or textile lamination techniques.
- Hands-on lab or pilot line experience.
- CAD or textile-specific design software familiarity is a plus.
Why Join Us?
- Work with a collaborative and experienced team shaping the future of textile innovation.
- Be part of a growing company with a strong reputation in the automotive textile sector.
- Enjoy full benefits , including 100% company-paid healthcare .