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Textile technologist

Alternative titles for this job include

Textile technologists produce specialist technical textiles for industries like automotive, manufacturing and healthcare.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

How to become a textile technologist

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You'll usually need a degree in:

  • textile science and technology
  • materials science and engineering

You could do a postgraduate qualification in a subject like textiles technology, especially if your first degree is not related to textiles.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a textile technical specialist higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to start out at technician level and then work your way up if you do not have a degree.

To do this, you'll usually need some relevant work experience. You'll also need to take some work-based training like a foundation degree.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in textile technology from The Textile Institute.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of chemistry
  • analytical thinking skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • persistence and determination
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could:

  • analyse and test samples in a lab
  • research and develop new fibres and processes
  • assess the technical performance of materials
  • evaluate data and report on findings
  • develop new analytical techniques
  • liaise with industry customers, designers and suppliers
  • oversee textile finishing processes

Working environment

You could work in a laboratory.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Career path and progression

You could become a senior technologist, leading a research and development team, move into quality control or become a technical production manager.

You might also move into buying or technical sales, working with materials suppliers and manufacturers of fashion and industrial textiles.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a textile technologist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a textile technologist?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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