R&D Engineer

Emblem Manufacturer And Embroidery Services

We are the world's largest emblem manufacturer and embroidery services with 8 strategic locations throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. We have been trusted year after year by customers for over 30 years to provide high-quality products and embroidery services that help customers create a great look, have memorable experiences, and promote their brand. We offer a wide variety of emblem options, ranging from traditional embroidered to Flex Style patches and everything in between. Our culture is represented by our Core Values: Stay Positive, Get the Job Done, Customer Centricity and 100% Committed to the Team.

Job Summary

You will lead research and development projects focused on innovative products and product enhancements. New product and enhancement features include adhesives, polymers, PVC, fabrics, sublimation, fabric printing, and 3D printing of emblems. You will partner with product design, manufacturing, and QA teams to translate concepts into scalable, reproducible products. You will also partner with operations on improvements and new processes to help with quality, and cost effectiveness.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop new innovative products for embellishments and branding.
• Partner with existing vendors to stay on top of the latest technology and market trends.
• Explore and evaluate PVC materials for textile applications, ensuring durability, safety, and compatibility with fabrics and embellishments.
• Lead dye-sublimation and heat-transfer processes, including ink selection, substrate prep, curing parameters, colorfastness, and repeatable production readiness.
• Design, print, and test on fabrics using digital textile printing techniques; collaborate with design teams to realize complex artwork and effects.
• Develop and validate 3D printing workflows for emblem production (materials selection, print parameters, post-processing, adhesion to fabrics or substrates, and durability testing).
• Create robust lab-to-production transfer plans, including SOPs, process parameters, pilot lines, scale-up considerations, and documentation for IP protection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, production, QA, compliance) to meet product specs, timelines, and quality standards.
• Support product development from concept to launch; create technical briefs, risk assessments, and validation reports.
• Ensure adherence to safety, regulatory, and environmental standards (e.g., REACH, RoHS) and maintain up-to-date lab notebooks and documentation.
• Conduct testing programs (mechanical, thermal, environmental, chemical resistance, abrasion, aging) and use results to drive design and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Textile Engineering, or a closely related field
• 3+ years of hands-on R&D experience in adhesives, polymers, textiles, and/or surface treatment; experience with sublimation and fabric printing is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience with 3D printing technologies (at least one of FDM, SLA/DLP, or integrating 3D-printed components with fabrics/emblems).
• Familiarity with PV materials or flexible electronics for textiles is a plus; willingness to learn and integrate PV concepts into textile applications.
• Strong understanding of material characterization techniques (DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheology, mechanical testing, peel/tensile testing, colorfastness, microscopy).
• Proficient in experimental design (DOE), data analysis, and translating results into practical processes.
• Excellent problem-solving, written and verbal communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and work with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with digital textile printing inks, color management, and heat-press/substrate compatibility.
• Experience with IP documentation, patent literature, and early-stage product development.
• Familiarity with environmental and safety compliance related to adhesives and polymer chemistries.

Skills

Must be able to operate a computer and have basic knowledge of MS Office applications, Internet, E-mail. Language Ability: Ability to Speak Spanish Preferred. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

World Emblem is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. World Emblem is proud to be a drug free workplace. All applicants will undergo a criminal background check, pre-placement drug screen, and are in compliance with E-Verify.