Senior Textiles Engineer & Prototype Lead (CAD/Pattern)

Australian Department of Defence; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer superannuation contribution

Job summary

Australian Department of Defence in Melbourne is seeking a senior textile pattern engineer to lead the design, development, and manufacturing of military clothing and PME within the Defence lifecycle. The role emphasizes manual and CAD-based pattern work, prototype construction, and stringent quality controls.

You will apply standards, drive continuous improvement, and ensure safe, on-time delivery while engaging with engineers, industry partners, and military users to refine textile solutions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in manual and CAD-based pattern development used in textile products.
• Experience in textile manufacturing and prototype construction for apparel and PPE.
• Familiarity with technical materials, equipment, and industrial machinery maintenance/operation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into production-ready textile solutions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver moderately complex to complex textile product design, development, assessment and manufacturing activities.
• Apply standards and specifications relevant to defence textile products.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and ensure safe, efficient, on-schedule delivery.
• Lead prototype workshops, first-article manufacture and low-volume production environments.
• Prepare accurate technical documentation and design packs for Defence standards.

Skills

Pattern development

Textile manufacturing

Prototype construction

Industrial machinery operation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Gerber/Lectra CAD

Job description

Australian Department of Defence in Melbourne is seeking a senior textile pattern engineer to lead the design, development, and manufacturing of military clothing and PME within the Defence lifecycle. The role emphasizes manual and CAD-based pattern work, prototype construction, and stringent quality controls.

You will apply standards, drive continuous improvement, and ensure safe, on-time delivery while engaging with engineers, industry partners, and military users to refine textile solutions.