Head of Textile Engineering

Head of Textile Engineering at unspununspun is seeking a Head of Textile Engineering to lead our Textile Engineering (TE) team and drive excellence in our fabric development and production processes. This role offers the opportunity to lead a crucial technical team and work cross-functionally across our hardware and software development as well as our commercialization efforts and textile product development, contributing to unspun's mission of reducing global carbon emissions by 1% by enabling on-shore and on-demand production. Join us in revolutionizing a massively wasteful industry.Why This Role MattersAs unspun’s Head of Textile Engineering, you will be responsible for managing and developing our TE team while overseeing all production and testing activities across our facilities. This role combines technical expertise with strong leadership skills to ensure the successful execution of textile engineering projects, resourcing decisions, and team development.This is an in-person role, 5 days per week at our Emeryville Microfactory & HQ.What Success Looks LikeLead and manage the Textile Engineering team, providing technical leadership, mentorship, and career development supportPartner directly with our Hardware and Operations Org Leaders on daily factory floor prioritization decisions and capacity planningDefine and maintain clear prioritization across the TE team, making timely decisions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situationsOversee production and testing activities across all machines in our Emeryville microfactoryEstablish and implement processes for project planning, root cause analysis, documentation, and knowledge transferLead the development and review of testing plans, fabric development rounds, and production runsManage project timelines and resource allocation to ensure on-time deliveryApply industry best practices to support unspun's scaling and commercialization goalsProvide hands-on technical guidance and mentorship, acting as a thought partner on problem-solving, test planning, and executionWho You Are4+ years of team management experienceStrong background in textile engineering, particularly in woven fabricsExperience with engineering processes including experiment design, FMEA/RCA, and prototypingKnowledge of textile/apparel industry standards and requirementsUnderstanding of mechanical engineering fundamentalsDemonstrated experience mentoring teammates and supporting technical skill developmentExperience with apparel/textile prototyping, production, and QC processesWhat Makes You a Great Fit?Excellent people management and leadership abilitiesStrong prioritization and decision-making skills in ambiguous environmentsStrong communication skills, particularly in translating between strategic and technical informationProven project management capabilitiesData-driven decision-making and risk management expertiseBias toward action—comfortable making decisions quickly and iteratingWhy unspun?We're not just another tech company - we're a team revolutionizing a trillion-dollar industry. Here's what makes us special:Mission-Driven: [Role-specific connection to carbon reduction]Innovation at Scale: We're backed by top climate-tech VCs and working with major brands like WalmartAmazing Team: Work with passionate experts who care about impactGrowth Opportunity: [Role-specific growth path]Comprehensive Benefits: Details below, but we take care of our teamOur CultureWe're relentless in pursuing our mission, intentional in our decisions, and fundamentally human in how we work together. We celebrate small wins, speak up to benefit many, and aren't afraid to make mistakes along the way.BenefitsThe salary range for this role is $157,000 - $210,000 annually, plus equity.Benefits IncludeSelf-regulated vacation policyComprehensive (gold & platinum) health/dental/vision insuranceCompany sponsored 401k and FSA/HSAMonthly wellness or education grant up to $150Pre-tax commuter benefitsIncentive stock optionsunspun's compensation philosophy centers on transparency, fairness, and alignment with our company values. We aim to offer competitive pay that reflects both market standards and individual contributions, fostering an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Our holistic approach ensures that compensation decisions are consistent and justifiable across all levels to attract and retain top talent, support employee growth, and maintain a positive organizational culture.Our PhilosophyWe won't roll our eyes if your socks don't match. We get it. But then, if you spend those extra few minutes in the morning matching your socks and shirt, we get that too. Our workspaces are sometimes spotless and sometimes chaotic, and we celebrate messy exploration. We work through complex problems but generate simple and elegant solutions. We strive to look at things differently, and never do anything solely because "that's the way it's always been done."We're a team of designers and engineers, industry-veterans and serial entrepreneurs, artists and developers. We're aspiring chess masters and climbers, bakers and photographers. Originally spun out of Stanford and the University of Colorado, we now call the SF Bay Area home, with strong ties to Hong Kong. We are looking for teammates who share our desire to work on ambitious problems and leave the world better than we found it.unspun is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to being a diverse team that reflects a broad range of background, thought, and experience. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, status as protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristics. Women, minorities, and people from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.LocationThis is an in-person role, 5 days per week at our Emeryville Microfactory & HQ.The world's first 3D weaving technology for apparel and the key to fashion's waste problem.