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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Textiles Technician Assistant

💰 $28,000 - $40,000

TextilesManufacturingQuality ControlLaboratory

🎯 Role Definition

The Textiles Technician Assistant supports textile production, research & development, and quality assurance teams by preparing samples, performing routine fabric and garment tests, operating and maintaining lab equipment, recording accurate test data, and ensuring compliance with industry standard test methods (AATCC, ISO). This role is ideal for an entry- to mid-level candidate with hands-on experience in fabric handling, basic textile testing, and a commitment to quality and safety.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Textile Lab Assistant / Laboratory Trainee
  • Quality Control Inspector (textiles/garments)
  • Sewing or Sample Room Technician

Advancement To:

  • Textile Technician / Senior Textile Technician
  • Quality Engineer (Textiles)
  • Laboratory Supervisor / Test Lab Manager
  • R&D Technician or Product Development Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Garment Technologist
  • Production Supervisor
  • Materials Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Prepare, condition and label fabric and garment samples according to AATCC, ISO and in-house SOPs, ensuring traceability and correct sample orientation, cutting, and number coding prior to testing.
  • Execute standardized fabric tests including yarn count, GSM (grammage), thickness, dimensional stability (shrinkage/relaxation), and seam strength, and document results accurately in test logs and electronic systems.
  • Operate and maintain textile laboratory instruments such as tensile testers (ISO 13934), Martindale abrasion machines, pilling testers, bursting strength testers, and fabric stiffness testers; perform routine instrument calibration and verification.
  • Run color and appearance evaluations using spectrophotometers and color assessment booths; perform colorfastness testing to wash, rub (crocking), light, and perspiration according to ISO/AATCC protocols and record Delta E and pass/fail outcomes.
  • Conduct chemical and wet processing tests including dyeing sample batches, carry out pH and chemical concentration checks, and assist with laboratory dye recipe replication under supervision.
  • Perform visual inspections of incoming fabrics and finished garments for defects (snags, holes, dye faults, weaving errors) and record defect data using standardized grading systems and non-conforming materials reports.
  • Support production floor quality control by performing in-process checks (first-piece inspection, in-line audits, end-of-line inspections) and provide immediate feedback to operators to reduce defect rates.
  • Assemble and sew prototype samples or test specimens (cutting, stitching, seam preparation) to replicate production conditions for meaningful testing, maintaining consistent seam allowance and stitch type.
  • Prepare and complete formal test reports and certificates of analysis for customers and internal stakeholders, including test method references, conditions, numerical results, and interpretation against specifications.
  • Enter test results and sample metadata into LIMS, ERP or quality databases; ensure data integrity, version control of test methods and timely submission to lab manager or quality engineer.
  • Maintain accurate sample archives and repositories: catalog, store under appropriate environmental conditions (temperature/humidity), and retrieve specimens for retesting or customer review.
  • Follow and enforce laboratory health, safety, and environmental procedures including safe handling of chemicals, correct use of PPE, waste disposal, and compliance with SDS instructions and local regulations.
  • Support root-cause analysis and corrective action investigations by reproducing failures, performing supplementary tests, and documenting step-by-step procedures and observations for quality improvement teams.
  • Assist with textile development projects by preparing construction samples, weaving/knitting test swatches, and documenting process parameters to support product development and scale-up activities.
  • Monitor and maintain lab consumables and reagent inventory, place orders for materials (test cloths, calibration weights, reagents), and reconcile deliveries against purchase requests to avoid testing delays.
  • Perform preventive maintenance tasks on laboratory and sample room equipment (lubrication, cleaning, simple adjustments) and escalate mechanical issues to maintenance teams with clear fault descriptions.
  • Validate new or alternate test methods under supervision, including trial runs, comparison against reference methods, and documentation of method performance characteristics (repeatability, reproducibility).
  • Liaise with vendors and suppliers for test services, instrument calibration or repairs, obtaining quotes and scheduling external laboratory work when specialized testing is required.
  • Ensure compliance with customer-specific testing requirements and technical specifications (AQL thresholds, contract test methods), and support customer audits by preparing documentation and providing guided lab tours when requested.
  • Train junior technicians and apprentices on basic test procedures, sample handling, and lab safety; prepare quick-reference guides and help enforce best practices on the shop floor and in the lab.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen) within the laboratory and sample room to optimize workflows, reduce waste, and improve turnaround time for sample testing and reporting.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the creation and maintenance of SOPs, work instructions, and checklist templates so testing remains consistent and auditable across shifts.
  • Support ad-hoc customer sample requests and compile tailored test panels for new product assessments or competitive benchmarking.
  • Help coordinate laboratory scheduling to ensure priority tests and development samples meet tight project deadlines.
  • Contribute to inventory audits of textiles, sample swatches, and chemical stocks and support procurement teams with technical specification input.
  • Aid in digitizing legacy paper records and improving test data accessibility by tagging and indexing archived reports for LIMS migration.
  • Provide basic photography and documentation of fabric defects and test setups for engineering reviews and customer reports.
  • Participate in cross-functional meetings (quality reviews, product development, production planning) to communicate lab findings and suggest corrective actions.
  • Collect and summarize routine KPI metrics (test turnaround time, defect trends, calibration status) for weekly lab performance reporting.
  • Support supplier and incoming quality inspections by traveling to vendor locations, when required, to verify material conformity and sampling procedures.
  • Help enforce environmental controls in sample storage and test areas (temperature/humidity logging) to maintain reproducible testing conditions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Practical knowledge of textile test methods (AATCC, ISO, ASTM) including colorfastness, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, and dimensional stability.
  • Hands-on operation of laboratory equipment: tensile/creep testers, Martindale abrasion, pilling tester, spectrophotometer, GSM cutter and scale, bursting strength tester.
  • Ability to prepare and sew standardized test specimens and prototypes to industry tolerances and specifications.
  • Experience with instrument calibration, routine verification, and basic troubleshooting of lab instruments.
  • Competence in sample conditioning and environmental control practices (temperature/humidity conditioning per test method).
  • Proficiency with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), ERP systems or digital quality systems for data entry and test tracking.
  • Skilled in producing and interpreting test reports, certificates of analysis and technical documentation for customers and internal teams.
  • Basic understanding of dyeing, finishing processes and chemical handling (SDS familiarity, correct dilution and disposal protocols).
  • Familiarity with quality systems and standards (ISO 9001, ISO 17025 desirable) and adherence to audit requirements.
  • Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel for data analysis and charting of test results and trends.
  • Experience using color measurement instruments (spectrophotometer) and interpreting color difference metrics (ΔE, Lab*).
  • Knowledge of AQL sampling, defect classification, and visual inspection criteria for fabrics and garments.
  • Ability to use hand tools and small machinery safely (cutting tools, pressing irons, sewing machines) in a sample room environment.

Soft Skills

  • High attention to detail and commitment to accurate measurement and documentation.
  • Strong verbal and written communication to relay technical findings to engineers, production teams and customers.
  • Good time management and the ability to prioritize multiple test requests in a deadline-driven environment.
  • Team player who collaborates across R&D, production and quality departments.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to follow structured investigation and troubleshooting processes.
  • Manual dexterity and practical craftsmanship for sample preparation and small assembly work.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new test methods and tools as technology evolves.
  • Integrity and accountability in maintaining confidential product development information and test data.
  • Customer-focused attitude when supporting external test requests and responding to technical queries.
  • Initiative to identify process improvements and contribute to continuous improvement activities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent plus vocational certificate in textiles, laboratory technology, sewing or related practical training. Completion of AATCC short courses or equivalent is advantageous.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate Degree or Diploma in Textile Technology, Textile Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Applied Science.
  • Certifications in textile testing (AATCC certificate courses), ISO 17025 awareness, or laboratory safety training are preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Technology / Textile Science
  • Materials Science or Materials Engineering
  • Polymer Chemistry / Chemistry
  • Apparel/Textile Manufacturing
  • Laboratory Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of relevant experience in a textile lab, sample room, quality department or production environment.

Preferred: 1–2 years hands-on experience performing textile tests, sample preparation, and basic instrumentation in a quality or R&D laboratory. Prior exposure to AATCC/ISO test methods, LIMS/ERP systems and textile production processes is highly desirable.

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