Process Engineer - Textiles

Title: Process Engineer – Textiles

Company: NoiseFigure Research, Inc.

Location: Redmond, Washington

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Setting: On-site

Department: Research & Development / Process Engineering / Advanced Manufacturing

Job Description

NoiseFigure Research is seeking a Process Engineer – Textiles to support novel additive manufacturing process development for textile, polymer, fiber-based, and multi-material systems. This role will support parameter optimization, materials characterization, design iteration, and process development on a custom 3D printing platform.

The Process Engineer – Textiles will develop and refine print processes for multi-material systems, design test structures and fixtures using CAD, and characterize printed output for dimensional accuracy, mechanical performance, and material quality. This position requires hands-on laboratory work, strong technical documentation, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to contribute to a research environment with high standards for experimentation, data analysis, documentation, and publication-quality technical output.

Key Responsibilities

• Support novel additive manufacturing and 3D printing process development for textile, polymer, fiber-based, and multi-material systems.
• Develop, refine, and optimize print parameters for custom additive manufacturing platforms.
• Conduct parameter optimization, design iteration, and process troubleshooting to improve print quality, repeatability, and performance.
• Design test structures, fixtures, tooling, and prototype components using CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar tools.
• Characterize printed output for dimensional accuracy, mechanical performance, material quality, and process consistency.
• Perform materials characterization using methods such as tensile testing, compression testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermal analysis, microscopy, or other relevant techniques.
• Support development of multi-material and multi-process additive manufacturing workflows.
• Evaluate polymer, fiber, filament, textile, and related materials for processing suitability and end-use performance.
• Apply design of experiments methodology or structured process-development methods to support process optimization.
• Analyze test data, summarize findings, and recommend process or design improvements.
• Use Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data analysis, process modeling, or technical reporting as needed.
• Support scaling of R&D processes toward pilot, prototype, or low-volume production.
• Maintain accurate records of process parameters, test results, material observations, design changes, equipment settings, and development outcomes.
• Prepare technical documentation, procedures, reports, presentations, and publication-quality summaries.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, materials science, design, manufacturing, and research personnel.
• Operate laboratory and process equipment safely and maintain a clean, organized, and well-documented work environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Textile Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical field , or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience working in a research laboratory on projects related to additive manufacturing, 3D printing, process development, or advanced materials processing.
• 3+ years of experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, or similar tools for designing parts, fixtures, tooling, or test structures.
• 3+ years of experience with materials characterization techniques such as mechanical testing, tensile testing, compression testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, or related methods.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, document, and iterate manufacturing or laboratory process parameters.
• Strong research track record demonstrated through publications, patents, technical reports, product development contributions, or equivalent technical work.
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills and ability to operate process and test equipment safely.
• Ability to analyze data, interpret results, troubleshoot technical issues, and recommend practical process improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work on-site in a hands-on R&D, laboratory, and process-development environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multi-material or multi-process additive manufacturing systems.
• Experience with polymer processing, rheology, fiber-based materials, filament-based materials, textile structures, or flexible materials.
• Familiarity with design of experiments methodology for process optimization.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools for data analysis, process modeling, or automation.
• Experience scaling R&D processes toward pilot production, low-volume manufacturing, or prototype manufacturing.
• Experience with custom 3D printing platforms, experimental equipment, or internally developed process tools.
• Experience preparing technical publications, patent disclosures, grant reports, or formal research documentation.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary R&D environment involving materials, mechanical systems, manufacturing processes, and product development.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Additive manufacturing process development
• 3D printing process optimization
• Textile, polymer, fiber, and filament material behavior
• Multi-material process development
• CAD design for fixtures, parts, and test structures
• Materials characterization
• Mechanical testing and dimensional inspection
• Thermal analysis and microscopy
• Process documentation and technical reporting
• Data analysis and experimental design
• Laboratory equipment operation
• Research documentation and publication standards
• Cross-functional communication
• Troubleshooting and root cause analysis
• Prototype development and process scale-up
• Safe laboratory and equipment practices

Work Environment

This position is performed on-site in a hands-on research, laboratory, and advanced manufacturing process-development environment. The role involves working with custom additive manufacturing equipment, 3D printing platforms, textile and polymer materials, test fixtures, characterization equipment, CAD tools, and engineering documentation.

The team mate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to process development, prototype fabrication, materials evaluation, and technical documentation in support of NFR’s research and development activities.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance