Location: Wilkesboro, NC

Work Setting: Onsite 5 days/week

Compensation: $84,000 to $113,000

Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and comprehensive employer benefits package

Position Summary

The R&D Engineer is a highly specialized textile engineering role responsible for leading product innovation within the company’s domestic hand and arm protection category. This role focuses on the development of cut-resistant fibers, yarns, and materials while supporting internal and external testing for gloves and sleeves. As the dedicated technical expert for textile R&D, this individual will manage projects from concept through commercialization and collaborate closely with Product Management, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain partners. This reinstated role offers significant visibility and influence, with the opportunity to shape product performance, strengthen manufacturing capabilities, and guide long-term innovation strategy across multiple sites.

What You’ll Do

• Lead R&D projects from ideation to commercialization in partnership with Product Management
• Own the R&D pipeline for gloves, sleeves, knit fibers, and yarn development
• Serve as the textile subject-matter expert for operations, engineering, and commercial teams
• Manage in-house testing equipment, lab resources, sample builds, and documentation
• Oversee internal and external testing for cut, abrasion, puncture, contact heat, and related standards
• Partner with yarn suppliers and Purchasing on new material development, trials, and validation
• Conduct competitive analysis, benchmarking, and reverse engineering of materials and constructions
• Troubleshoot yarn and fiber quality issues; lead corrective actions and root cause analysis
• Improve existing manufacturing processes and product performance through R&D-driven insights
• Support cross-functional partners across Inventory Management, Production, Marketing, Sales, and Procurement
• Stay current on textile innovations, composite materials, and advancements in cut-resistant technologies
• Contribute in adjacent areas (e.g., Quality Assurance/testing) as needed in a lean organization

What You Bring

• Hands-on manufacturing experience with understanding of production processes and capabilities
• Proven R&D background with experience innovating and commercializing new products
• Mandatory textile industry experience (cut-resistant fibers, yarn formation, knitting, weaving, composites, industrial fabrics, upholstery, interior textiles, garments, cut & sew, etc.)
• Strong communication skills with ability to collaborate across engineering, production, and commercial teams
• Ability to work onsite 5 days/week (may shift to 4 onsite + 1 remote after onboarding)
• Ability to operate effectively in a lean environment, contributing across functions
• U.S. work authorization (no sponsorship available)

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering degree in Mechanical, Materials, Textile, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering
• Experience developing cut-resistant PPE products (gloves, sleeves)
• Supplier-facing experience, particularly with yarn and fiber partners
• Strong background in QA/testing environments
• Ability to independently solve problems in a fast-paced R&D and manufacturing setting

What You Get

• Competitive base salary of $84K–$99K, up to $113K at the top of the compensation band
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• High-impact role with visibility to Manufacturing and Product leadership
• Opportunity to become the internal authority on textile R&D
• Ability to influence material strategy, innovation direction, and multi-site manufacturing capabilities
• Minimal travel with occasional supplier or customer visits
• Stable, growth-oriented environment within a lean, collaborative manufacturing site