Textile technologist

Textile technologists have a hands-on role in selecting and testing the ideal fabric or material for a product

You'll work closely with designers and manufacturers throughout the production process, analysing the properties of raw materials to ensure they are fit for purpose, meet quality and compliance standards, and are within budget. You will support the production of materials, including fabrics and textiles, or be responsible for identifying suitable materials from an external source.

You can work with a variety of materials, both synthetic and natural fibres, as well as with leather, fur, metals and plastics. Through your analysis you will select the materials best suited to a particular product.

Textiles can be used to create products ranging from clothing, tableware, bedding, curtains and bags, for example, to industrial products such as medical textiles and geotextiles.

Job titles vary and may also be advertised as fabric technologist.

Responsibilities

As a textile technologist, you will be involved in researching, sourcing and testing a range of fabrics. Although your responsibilities will vary depending on the nature of your role, you will typically need to do some or all of the following:

• source fabrics and textiles that are suitable for the product they are intended for
• prepare and test fabric samples, ensuring quality in areas such as strength, durability, colourfastness, and water and chemical resistance
• record, interpret and evaluate test results
• when testing samples, consider issues such as sustainability, whether the material is ethically sourced and possible allergies
• check and approve lab dip submissions (small pieces of fabric that are dyed to match a particular colour) and samples
• carry out risk assessments on new fabrics
• check the composition of fibres is accurate and approve any changes to the raw materials being used
• establish and develop relationships with suppliers
• develop synthetic fibres and quality assess natural fibres
• spin fibres into yarn, and knit or weave yarn into fabrics
• produce non-woven materials
• oversee the dyeing, printing and finishing processes
• undertake quality evaluations at each stage of production and check the quality of the final product
• inspect and test fabric samples from different batches, made at different times, to ensure consistency of quality
• attend development meetings to discuss progress, feedback and troubleshoot any fabric-related issues during production
• identify the latest fabric trends, developments and technological innovations
• keep within budget and ensure that materials used are cost effective.

Technologists who specialise in research and product development may also:

• undertake research to find new ways of using fibres
• experiment with textiles to improve their look, feel, texture and durability
• develop chemicals that may be added to fabrics to make them, for example, more waterproof, flame-resistant or shrink-resistant.

Salary

• Salaries for junior or assistant textile technologists are £21,000 to £27,000, depending on your experience. Fully qualified technologists or those on graduate training schemes with large companies may earn more than this.
• With a few years' experience, you could earn between £28,000 and £45,000.
• Those with substantial experience working in senior roles, or with management research development responsibilities, may earn in excess of £45,000.

Salaries vary depending on your location, type of employer, your experience and the exact nature of the role.

Additional benefits may include a company car, pension and health insurance.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Contracted working hours are typically 9am to 5pm, although it's usually necessary to work late when there are deadlines to be met. Technologists working in a production environment may be required to work shifts and weekends.

Part-time and hybrid work may be possible, depending on your role and employer.

What to expect

• Work may be based in a laboratory, factory or office, but there is generally considerable involvement in the production process.
• Jobs are available in most areas of the UK, although there are usually more opportunities in regions with a history of manufacturing, such as London, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Self-employment and freelance work are rare, except for occasional consultancy work once you have built up significant experience.
• You'll need to travel during the working day to meet with clients, manufacturers and suppliers. Business trips may involve overnight stays.
• There is an increasingly international dimension to the work. Overseas travel is becoming common as a great deal of manufacturing takes place abroad. Typical destinations include Southern Europe, China, India and Pakistan.

Qualifications

You'll typically need a degree or HND in a subject related to textile technology such as:

• chemistry or polymer chemistry
• fashion and textiles
• fashion design technology
• polymer science or technology
• materials science and engineering with textile technology
• materials science or technology
• production or manufacturing engineering
• textile design
• textile technology or textile science.

Entry without a degree or HND is sometimes possible, although it's likely that this will be at a lower technician level. You can then progress to the role of textile technologist once you've gained experience and further qualifications.

It's also possible to get into textiles by taking an apprenticeship, such as the:

• Level 4 Textile Technical Specialist apprenticeship
• Level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships combine paid work with study, meaning you can train on the job. Search for an apprenticeship.

A related postgraduate qualification is not essential but may be useful, especially for graduates who do not have a relevant first degree. Search postgraduate courses in textile technology.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• a high level of technical knowledge and strong practical skills
• the ability to work effectively in a team and to liaise with colleagues in other functions
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills for liaising with suppliers, designers and manufacturers
• problem-solving skills and decision-making ability
• the ability to prioritise your work and multitask
• organisational and time management skills, to ensure schedules are adhered to and deadlines are met
• negotiation skills
• attention to detail
• a methodical and proactive approach to work
• good general IT skills
• energy and enthusiasm
• the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Language skills may also be useful as this is an international industry and you could be required to make visits to suppliers overseas.

Work experience

Getting some experience in the textile industry will improve your chances of getting a job. Completing a work placement as part of your degree course or setting up your own work experience will help you develop your practical skills and build a network of contacts.

Contact companies that produce the type of textiles you're interested in working with and ask about work experience, work shadowing and placement opportunities. Make sure you research potential employers thoroughly before making a speculative application.

You could also join a professional body such as The Textile Institute as a student member while still at university. Membership is useful for advice, information and networking opportunities. Also, keep up to date with industry developments by reading publications such as Drapers.

Employers

Textile technologists are commonly employed by manufacturing companies in retail and the clothing industry. However, there are many opportunities with other employers in a range of sectors. In the field of industrial textiles, for example, there are specialist employers in:

• geotextiles
• medical textiles
• industrial clothing, furnishings and ropes.

Technical textiles is another key area. This involves the development of technologies for performance fabrics and nonwovens for industries such as:

• aerospace
• agriculture
• automotive
• construction
• defence
• detergent
• healthcare
• IT
• paper
• transportation.

Some small and medium-sized firms specialise in particular areas of production, such as spinning, weaving or dyeing.

The interior textiles sector mainly covers imported materials and is a major employer in the UK.

There may be some positions available in research and development in industry. In universities, such roles are often combined with lecturing.

You may have to take a short-term contract or undertake some work experience at first to gain the knowledge and skills needed for the role. Some large employers offer graduate training schemes.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI)
• Drapers Jobs
• Fashion & Retail Personnel
• Fashion United
• RHR (Retail Human Resources)
• The Textile Institute.

You can also check careers service websites, especially at institutions offering relevant courses, and find graduate recruitment information from textile and clothing manufacturers.

Keeping up to date with industry developments and emerging trends may help your job search and could open up new employment opportunities. Examples of developing trends in textile technology and fabric technology include sustainable fashion production, innovation in smart clothes (clothes that contain modern technology) and the use of AI in design and production processes and also in relation to customer experience.

Professional development

New technologists typically learn on the job from more experienced colleagues. This is usually supplemented by company-specific training on production processes, quality assurance procedures and standards, and supplier site familiarisation. Visiting sites may involve spending time overseas.

Some of the larger retailers and manufacturers offer more formal and structured graduate training programmes. The emphasis is on building up your knowledge and skills by completing specific assignments.

During the training programme, you'll get an insight into the company's production and quality control processes and cost structures, as well as the importance of effective communication between designers, suppliers and manufacturers. You may also be encouraged to do developmental training for management responsibility.

External training courses are also available. The Textile Institute, for example, offers a range of professional qualifications at Licentiateship, Associateship and Fellowship level.

IT skills have become increasingly important and some companies fund IT training. Language training can also be useful given the international nature of the business.

Career prospects

In the early stages of your career, you may be responsible for a particular area within the production or development process.

As you progress in your career, you'll have different options for further development. You may opt to move away from technical management into managing a whole department and progressing up the management ladder. Alternatively, you may decide to specialise in an area, such as ethical trading standards, or in a technical service area, such as colour management or quality management systems.

Opportunities also exist for career moves into buying, selling and marketing, and some technologists apply their technical knowledge indirectly in general management functions or quality control.

Once you've reached the role of senior technologist, opportunities in purely technical roles are limited. Moving into other management functions or related areas may offer the best prospects for promotion.

With enough experience, you could also consider a freelance consultancy role. As a consultant, you would negotiate your own terms and conditions. Becoming an owner-manager of your own textile company is another option.