Textile Development Professional - Apparel

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

POSITION TITLE

Textile Development Professional

POSITION OVERVIEW

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.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Textile Acumen:

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

Product Development Process:

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

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

BS in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related field

Applied understanding of fiber, yarn, weave, dye, finish processes and impact on textile properties

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

QUALIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

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

#LI-AP1

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected].

Pay: $66,187.91 - $99,375.63 per year

Work Location: In person