Research Engineer

Come and be a part of a best-in-class global R&D team creating new fiber innovation solutions for our Global Textile Apparel and Personal Care businesses.

The LYCRA Company is a premier supplier of differentiated fiber products from a global manufacturing base with assets in the USA, Europe, Mexico, Brazil, China and Singapore.

Our Apparel business works with leading consumer brands, retailers and fabric mills all over the world to leverage our innovative offerings including LYCRA® fiber, COOLMAX® fiber, THERMOLITE® fiber, SUPPLEX® fiber and TACTEL® fiber. The LYCRA Company is a leading supplier in the global apparel markets including ready-to-wear, intimate apparel, swimwear, active wear, outdoor and career apparel.

We have built a leading position in the Apparel and Personal Care industries over the years via a continuous stream of value-adding fiber, fabric, and garment innovations enabled and supported by a network of strategic partners across the entire value chain. This contributed to making the LYCRA® brand a unique asset that still powers today one of the most iconic and valuable corporate franchises in the Apparel and Personal Care industry.

It is all reflected in our corporate vision: “enhancing life through innovative garment solutions.”

We are seeking an Applications Research Engineer focused on translating fiber and fabric technologies into application-ready solutions through mechanical testing, product performance evaluation, prototype development, and commercialization support. As part of an industry-leading team of R&D experts, you will help identify, propose, and execute innovation projects that provide competitive advantage and have significant value creation potential. This role is ideal for someone with strong technical training in mechanical engineering, materials science, textile engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, disciplined problem solving, personal accountability, economic decision making, and critical thinking skills.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter and advocate for New Product Innovations as a key strategy for the success of the business.

Applications Research Engineer specializing in extrusion processes, mechanical testing, prototype development, customer/application evaluation, and commercialization support.

We offer competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Waynesboro VA, USA can be found at the intersection of the scenic Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail. A short drive from Charlottesville, VA home of University of Virginia. Waynesboro’s small-town charm and close proximity to many historic sites, scenic parks, vibrant arts, food and culture locations, it one place you can easily fall in love with.

Reporting to the R&D Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Identify, propose, plan, and execute innovation projects that provide competitive advantage and have significant potential to create value. Lead and support technology scale-up, product validation, and commercialization activities with a focus on fiber and material performance, mechanical property testing, prototype development, application trials, and translation of customer needs into technical requirements.
• Assist with resolution of production, product performance, application testing, and quality issues.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with researchers, technicians, and manufacturing and business/commercial leaders.
• Maintain compliance and excellence in EH&S (Environmental Health & Safety) processes.
• Contribute to an R&D environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and accountability within a collaborative global R&D network.
• Stay abreast of the competitive landscape and external polymer fiber production and textile world to gather insight and inspiration.

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Material Science
• At least 5 years of experience as a Chemical Engineer, Polymer Scientist, Spinning Process Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
• De…