Innovative…high-tech…revolutionary these are just a few of the characteristics that make Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) unique. As a member of the Manufacturing USA Innovation Institute Network, AFFOA’s mission is to rekindle the domestic textiles industry by leading a nationwide enterprise for advanced fiber & fabric technology development and manufacturing, enabling revolutionary system capabilities for national security and commercial market applications.

AFFOA is seeking an experienced and creative Lead Textile Technologist to join our multidisciplinary team working with internal and external customers to deliver advanced textile technology and product demonstrators. This key role is responsible for integrating advanced fibers and yarns into woven textile structures keeping product form and use cases at the core of the design process.

The Lead Textile Technologist will operate industrial weaving machinery including industrial looms, hand looms, jacquard, and dobby machines, and will utilize specific software and programming tolls associated with this equipment. In addition, this role participates in the research and development of technology and product demonstration prototypes in apparel, accessories, soft goods, and textile-based systems.

A successful Lead Textile Technologist will work closely with other textile and product designers and engineers. Our ideal candidate has excellent communication skills with experience working in an R&D environment and working on technologies or products for Department of Defense customers.

Responsibilities include:

• Working with multiple stakeholders to ideate fabric and product forms and develop product creation strategies.
• Utilizes design tools for ideating and producing prototypes of woven structures/fabrics with functional fibers.
• Solves problems associated with developing complex textile systems.
• Leads technical initiatives on development projects – Interacts with and supports diverse technical teams of engineers, textile designers, and technicians.
• Creates standard work and training documents for textile fabrication and products in coordination with technicians.
• Owns areas of technical development, including design and implementation of new fibers and fabric architectures and stays abreast of recent developments in technical textiles and helps to guide technical roadmap formulation and refinement.
• Research state-of-the-art solutions to technical challenges - Defines technical approaches to close the requirement gap in textile product R&D and manufacturing.
• Prepares materials for external communication in slides and written technical reports.
• Acts as technical SME/liaison in external engagements - Provides guidance and recommendations on proposals submitted by AFFOA membership as they relate to technology feasibility/maturity, provides recommendations and guidance to member companies, identifying matchmaking opportunities within the ecosystem, and advising on technical opportunities outside of the ecosystem that may benefit Institute or existing members.
• Contributes to technical proposals, statements of work, and budgets for business development opportunities.

Traits / Characteristics

• Mission driven team player.
• Creative, driven, agile and responsible.
• Able to multi-task, prioritize, and resolve issues.
• Critical thinker with strong problem-solving and analytical skills

Required Experience

• BFA or BS in Textiles, Textile Design, Product Design, or related field and a minimum of 5 years of related work experience or MFA or MS in Textiles, Textile Design, Product Design, or related field and a minimum of 3 years of related work experience.
• Expertise in operating industrial weaving machinery including industrial looms, hand looms, jacquard, and dobby machines and an understanding of specific software and programming requirements associated with these types of equipment.
• Understanding of research and product development process in apparel, accessories, soft goods, or industrial design.
• Experience in textile production or manufacturing in related fields. System design and development experience preferred.
• Able to travel domestically up to 10% of time.
• Effective communication skills including writing, speaking, and presenting.

Additional Information:

Work Authorization: To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be one of the following: a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.