Company Overview

At TenCate Protective Fabrics, we produce flame-resistant (FR) fabrics, a specialty textile from which garment manufacturers create life-saving FR personal protective equipment (PPE). A global leader in FR textile innovation, we engineer our fabric solutions from the ground up – from fiber blending to yarn formation, to weaving, to dyeing and finishing. We have a global presence and are committed to providing our customers with innovative, high-quality products and exceptional service.

Summary/Objective

We are seeking a highly motivated R&D Chemist to join our lab team. This role is responsible for developing, optimizing, and supporting textile dyeing and finishing processes, from laboratory research through production-scale trials. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in textile chemistry and a hands-on, problem-solving approach.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develop and test new dyeing and finishing formulations for protective textiles.
• Conduct lab-scale experiments and support transition to pilot- and production-scale trials.
• Analyze results using standard textile testing methods.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and technical teams to implement new processes.
• Plans, directs, and works with internal manufacturing personnel for production trials to full scale in Stage 3 Development Projects. Maintains notes and data on trials in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain accurate lab records and documentation of formulations, test results, and trials.
• Research and evaluate new raw materials, chemicals, and processing techniques
• Troubleshoot product or process issues during lab and production phases.
• Ensure processes comply with environmental and safety standards.
• Competent in areas of color development and analytical chemistry equipment (GC, UV-Vis, FTIR).
• Provide technical support and problem solving to manufacturing.

Competencies

1. Attention to Detail.
2. Data Management.
3. Communication
4. Critical Evaluation.
5. Problem Solving/ Analysis.
6. Collaboration Skills.
7. Technical Skills.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in a manufacturing environment. This role routinely uses highly specialized lab equipment and standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers. The candidate is frequently exposed to noise, dust and various chemicals, and moving mechanical parts requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment including safety glasses, hearing protection and steel toe shoes.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, sit, walk, stand, and hear. This employee may be required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. May be exposed to heat, flame, chemicals, and noises.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional extended hours may be required, particularly during scale-up trials or other critical business needs.

Travel

This position requires up to 25% travel. Frequently travel inside the local area to other plant locations.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Textile Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
• Solid understanding of dyeing and finishing chemistries and wet processes.
• Hands-on lab experience with textile substrates and formulation development.
• Familiarity with lab testing methods and equipment (AATCC, ISO standards, etc.)
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 2+ years of experience in a textile R&D or technical lab role.
• Experience in production scale-up of dyeing/finishing processes.
• Knowledge of sustainable or eco-friendly chemistries.
• Proficiency in color measurement (spectrophotometry, color matching software)
• Experience with statistical analysis and design of experiments (DOE)

AAP/EEO Statement

TenCate Protective Fabrics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, selection, hiring, training, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and demotion.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.