JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Advanced Textiles Engineer is a technical leader responsible for the research, development, validation, and commercialization of advanced textile and material technologies used in electrical safety products. This role drives innovation across arc flash protective apparel, rubber insulating products, composite materials, and next-generation electrical personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring products deliver industry-leading protection, durability, comfort, and compliance.
The position serves as the organization's subject matter expert in protective textiles, fabric systems, material science, garment engineering, and manufacturing processes, partnering closely with Product Management, R&D, Operations, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and commercial teams to develop solutions that protect utility, industrial, and electrical workers from arc flash, thermal, and electrical hazards.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Product Development & Innovation
- Lead the development of advanced textile, fabric, and material technologies for electrical safety products.
- Drive innovation in arc flash protective clothing, flame-resistant (FR) garments, electrical PPE, and integrated protective systems.
- Identify emerging material technologies, fibers, coatings, laminates, composites, and manufacturing methods that improve product performance.
- Translate customer and market needs into technical specifications and product requirements.
- Support technology roadmaps aligned with growth strategies and industry trends.
Materials Engineering & Research
- Serve as the technical authority for: Arc-rated fabrics and apparel systems, flame-resistant textiles, high-performance fibers and yarns, elastomeric and rubber insulating materials, composite electrical insulation materials, protective laminates and coated fabrics
- Evaluate material performance characteristics including: Arc flash protection, thermal resistance, electrical insulation, mechanical strength, durability and aging, chemical resistance, comfort and wearability
- Conduct material selection and engineering trade-off analyses.
Product Testing & Validation
- Develop and oversee product validation programs.
- Partner with external laboratories and certification bodies.
- Analyze test results and provide technical recommendations.
- Support testing related to: Arc thermal performance values (ATPV), Arc ratings, dielectric testing, electrical insulating properties, mechanical integrity, environmental aging, laundering durability, wear life performance
- Ensure products meet applicable safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Standards, Compliance & Certification
- Maintain expertise in relevant industry standards and regulations including: ASTM F1506, ASTM F2675, ASTM D120, ASTM D1051, ASTM F1891, ASTM F496, NFPA 70E, IEC 61482, OSHA requirements, CSA standards, EN standards related to electrical protective equipment
- Support product certifications and compliance activities.
- Represent the company in industry associations, standards committees, and technical forums.
Manufacturing & Process Engineering
- Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize textile and garment production processes.
- Support development of scalable manufacturing methods for new products.
- Evaluate fabrication technologies including: Cut-and-sew operation, knitting and weaving processes, coating technologies, lamination processes, elastomer and composite fabrication, seam construction and garment assembly, lead root cause analysis and resolution of technical manufacturing issues.
Technical Leadership
- Provide mentoring and technical guidance to engineers, technicians, and product development teams.
- Lead cross-functional project teams.
- Present technical findings and recommendations to executive leadership.
- Support customer-facing technical discussions and major account opportunities.
- Serve as technical expert during product investigations and field performance evaluations.
CORE SKILLS/COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
Technical Competencies
- Advanced Materials Engineering
- Textile Science
- Polymer Technology
- Electrical Safety Products
- Arc Flash Protection
- Product Design & Development
- Regulatory Compliance
- Testing & Validation
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Risk Assessment
Leadership Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Innovation Leadership
- Technical Influence
- Project Management
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Customer Focus
- Problem Solving
- Continuous Improvement
EDUCATION
Required:
Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
Preferred:
Masters Degree
EXPERIENCE
Required:
4-8 Years