Textile Development Professional

Milliken and Company•Spartanburg, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The position will focus on product development and new technology platforms to expand the Apparel SBU. The position will report to the Director of Development and will support the overall growth initiatives of the business. The Development Engineer will work with the business and manufacturing partners to create and launch new products in our markets with specific emphasis on the flame resistant textile market. Required travel will be approximately 25-50% to the company’s manufacturing facilities and customer locations.

Requirements

BS in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field
Strong textile acumen – fiber, yarn, weave, dyeing, finishing processes and materials
5+ years of experience in textile product development, with strong emphasis on woven fabrics and textile chemistry
Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills

Nice To Haves

MS in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field
Deep understanding of inherent FR fibers and FR chemistry to meet applicable standards
Apply knowledge of fire service standards and certification requirements to proactively design compliant products
Proven track record of innovative commercialized products in FR, protective, or adjacent markets

Responsibilities

Applied understanding of fiber, yarn, weave, dye, finish processes and impact on textile properties
Design and optimize fabric constructions (fiber, yarn, weave, etc) to meet market performance requirements
Demonstrated hands-on experience in textile formulation chemistry and finish development to achieve targeted performance outcomes
Lead end-to-end development of woven textile products from concept through commercialization
Translate lab concepts into manufacturable specifications, ensuring scalability and process robustness
Plan and execute manufacturing trials with clear hypotheses, data-driven decisions, and reduced iteration cycles
Analyze test data (TPP, thermal transfer, strength, shrinkage, durability) to drive product trade-offs and decisions with a data science mindset
Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, product line management, sourcing, and external partners to deliver successful launches
Identify and mitigate technical and scale-up risks early in the development process
Serve as a technical leader and mentor, elevating team capability in woven design, chemical formulations, and development rigor
Engage with suppliers and customers as needed, providing credible technical support and guidance