Product Development Engineer - SP Associates : Job Details

Job Title: Product Development Engineer – Coated Fabrics (Automotive) Location: Morganton, NC Job Type: Full-Time Reports To: Director of R&D / Product Development Manager Benefits: Full benefits package including company-paid healthcare

Job Summary: We are seeking a Product Development Engineer to join our R&D and product innovation team focused on coated and functional fabrics for the automotive industry. This role involves working on the full product lifecycle — from concept and material selection to testing, validation, and commercialization. The ideal candidate will have a background in textiles, materials, or engineering and a passion for developing high-performance products that meet stringent industry standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize coated textile products for automotive applications (e.g., seating, interior trim).
• Work with cross-functional teams to define product specifications based on customer and market requirements.
• Perform lab-scale and pilot testing of textile coatings, laminations, and treatments to enhance fabric performance (e.g., durability, flame resistance, aesthetics).
• Support scale-up to manufacturing and work with production teams to ensure smooth product launches.
• Analyze test data, generate technical documentation, and present results internally and to customers.
• Interface with automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers for technical discussions and qualification processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and innovation in coating technologies and fabric constructions.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Textile Engineering, Textile Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• 0–20 years of experience in product development, R&D, or technical roles within the textile or coated fabrics industry.
• Understanding of coated fabrics, textile construction, and finishing processes.
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with automotive industry standards and testing protocols (e.g., FMVSS, SAE, OEM specifications).
• Familiarity with coating formulations, polymer chemistry, or textile lamination techniques.
• Hands-on lab or pilot line experience.
• CAD or textile-specific design software familiarity is a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Work with a collaborative and experienced team shaping the future of textile innovation.
• Be part of a growing company with a strong reputation in the automotive textile sector.
• Enjoy full benefits, including 100% company-paid healthcare.