Warp Knit & Innovation Engineer

Job title: Warp Knit & Innovation Engineer

About the Role

Join Lear's Warp Knit & Innovation team in Kenansville, NC to aid in product creation and design of warp knitted fabrics. The role requires understanding warp knit machinery, fabric constructions, yarn and fibre technologies, and automotive textile trends, to design fabrics meeting aesthetic, performance and cost targets. You will collaborate with global engineering, design and sales teams and work with suppliers to develop innovative automotive textiles.

What You'll Do

• Interpret OEM and internal design briefs into viable textile constructions.
• Work with design, sales and engineering teams to create new and innovative products which meet customer expectations for design, aesthetics, technical performance and cost targets from design brief through to business award and launch.
• Determine optimum raw materials and constructions for each development.
• Review the outcome of each trial for appearance, test performance and manufacturing feasibility, devise improvements and countermeasures as necessary.
• Work with the engineering team to establish optimum finishing routes for each product.
• Maintain detailed records of trials and communicate any issues with all relevant parties.
• Work with yarn suppliers to drive development of new raw materials.
• Work with engineering, design and sales teams to develop advanced innovative products.
• Develop and maintain contacts within the textile industry to facilitate advanced innovation developments.

What We're Looking For

• GCSE Math, English and Science.
• Textile Innovation experience. Warp knit manufacturing and development of construction.
• Highly self-motivated. Practically minded - combination of science and creativity.
• High level of flexibility. Ability to multi-task. Ability to work without close supervision.
• Good communication skills at all levels. MS Office computer skills.
• Positive attitude and adaptable to change. High degree of accuracy.
• Ability to follow detailed work instruction and technical documentation.

Nice to Have

• Automotive textile experience or experience working with suppliers of raw materials, machinery and outside processors.
• Established industry contacts within the textile sector.