Research And Development Engineer

A growing manufacturer of advanced engineered materials and high-performance industrial textile solutions is seeking a Research and Development Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and commercialization of thermal protection systems, industrial insulation products, engineered fabrics, and nonwoven textile solutions used in demanding industrial and aerospace-related applications.

This is a highly visible role focused on driving innovation, developing commercially viable products, and helping expand new business opportunities within engineered thermal materials and high-temperature applications. The position is expected to play a key role in supporting new product growth initiatives and advancing next-generation thermal protection and industrial insulation technologies.

This is not a purely lab-based R&D position. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical and materials engineering expertise with customer-facing applications experience, product commercialization exposure, and the ability to move projects from concept through implementation and production scale-up.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience working with engineered textiles, engineered fabrics, advanced materials, thermal insulation systems, high-temperature nonwoven fabrics, coated fabrics, laminates, composites, or industrial thermal management products. Experience supporting customer applications, solving technical challenges, and collaborating cross-functionally throughout the product development lifecycle is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities RD Engineer:

• Lead research and product development activities related to high-temperature engineered materials, thermal protection products, industrial insulation systems, engineered fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, coated textiles, composites, laminates, and advanced thermal barrier technologies
• Develop and evaluate materials used in industrial sealing systems, gaskets, exhaust insulation, thermal protection products, aerospace turbine applications, foundry environments, and heat-management systems
• Drive product innovation initiatives focused on developing commercially viable solutions and supporting long-term business growth objectives
• Design, prototype, and optimize woven, nonwoven, braided, coated, laminated, and composite textile constructions for demanding thermal and mechanical environments
• Manage projects through the full product development lifecycle, including concept development, testing, validation, stage-gate reviews, pilot trials, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization
• Conduct laboratory testing and validation related to thermal conductivity, heat flux, flammability, thermal cycling, durability, insulation performance, mechanical integrity, and environmental exposure
• Analyze test data, troubleshoot material and process issues, and implement design improvements to improve product performance, manufacturability, thermal efficiency, and lifecycle durability
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, operations, quality, supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams to support product commercialization, process optimization, and production scale-up activities
• Interface directly with customers, suppliers, external laboratories, and technical partners to support application development, technical problem-solving, product approvals, validation testing, and commercialization efforts for high-temperature and thermal protection applications
• Support consultative customer discussions by translating application requirements into engineered material solutions and product recommendations
• Investigate emerging materials and technologies including ceramic fibers, aluminized fabrics, thermal coatings, high-performance nonwoven materials, aerogels, reflective barriers, specialty polymers, and composite reinforcement systems
• Support continuous improvement, cost reduction, process optimization, and new product innovation initiatives focused on high-temperature performance and industrial insulation applications
• Prepare technical reports, specifications, validation documentation, and project updates for internal and external stakeholders

R&D Engineer Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Composite Materials, Thermal Engineering, or a related technical discipline; graduate degree preferred
• 5 years of experience in R&D, product development, applications engineering, materials engineering, thermal management, industrial textiles, engineered fabrics, nonwoven materials, industrial insulation systems, composites, or related industrial manufacturing environments
• Experience with thermal fabrics, high-temperature materials, thermal protection systems, industrial insulation products, engineered fabrics, exhaust insulation systems, nonwoven technologies, coatings, laminates, refractory materials, or advanced textile structures strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles including conduction, convection, radiant heat management, and thermal barrier performance
• Experience managing projects through stage-gate development processes from concept through commercialization
• Demonstrated ability to execute, drive projects forward, and deliver results in fast-paced industrial or manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting customer-facing technical discussions, applications engineering, consultative problem-solving, product commercialization, or field troubleshooting is highly desirable
• Experience with laboratory testing, materials characterization, root cause analysis, validation methodologies, and thermal performance testing
• Familiarity with ASTM, ISO, flammability, thermal conductivity, thermal cycling, and industrial material testing standards preferred
• Experience supporting prototype development, pilot-line trials, and production scale-up activities
• Knowledge of thermal simulation, CAD, materials analysis software, or engineering modeling tools is a plus
• Excellent analytical, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization focused on advanced industrial materials, engineered thermal solutions, industrial insulation systems, thermal protection products, and high-performance engineered fabrics supporting critical industries including aerospace, industrial manufacturing, transportation, energy, thermal management, and high-temperature protection systems.