Upholstery Development Engineer III

Exemplis LLC; Buena Park (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Employee Discounts

Hit our Numbers Lunch

Job summary

Exemplis LLC in Buena Park, CA is seeking a hands-on Upholstery Development Engineer to lead end-to-end pattern development for upholstered furniture. You will translate concepts into production-ready 2D patterns, optimize foam shapes, and ensure designs meet performance, ergonomics, and aesthetic standards.

As a senior individual contributor, you will own pattern development standards, review designs for manufacturability, and partner with Product Engineering, Manufacturing, and Design to drive

Qualifications

• 5+ years of upholstery patternmaking & fabrication experience.
• Hands-on with foam, muslin, vinyl and prototyping materials.
• Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
• Develop and refine complex foam assemblies for manufacturability.
• Analyze foam properties and apply insights to pattern design.
• Proficient with industrial sewing machines and upholstery tools.
• Experience with patternmaking software such as Optitex, Gerber AccuMark, Lectra or ExactFlat.

Responsibilities

• Establish pattern development best practices, workflows, and documentation.
• Lead pattern development during product introductions to meet goals.
• Review preliminary designs for feasibility and suggest DFM optimizations.
• Collaborate to refine foam shapes and densities for fit and manufacturability.
• Review and approve patterns for structural integrity and ergonomics.
• Use software to convert 3D surfaces into 2D patterns and sewing docs.
• Oversee prototype builds and resolve pattern issues.
• Create and maintain living documents for prototyping challenges.
• Serve as escalation point for pattern challenges and improvements.
• Identify cost and process optimization opportunities while maintaining quality.
• Manage BOMs, revisions, and technical documentation through PLM/PDM.

Skills

Upholstery patternmaking

Fabrication experience

Pattern development

DFM principles

Cross-functional collaboration

Industrial sewing machines

Prototyping materials (foam, muslin,/v

Education

Technical certification in Patternmaking

Experience with upholstery pattern software

Tools

Optitex

Gerber AccuMark

Lectra

ExactFlat

CLO/Browzwear

NX Mastertrim

Job description

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Company: Exemplis

Location: Buena Park, CA, US, 90620 Cypress, CA, US, 90630

Work Designation: Onsite

Salary Range: $112,406.00- $168,608.00

Position Summary:

We are seeking a hands-on and technically skilled Upholstery Development Engineerto support the end-to-end development of upholstered furniture products. As a key member of the Product Development team, you will lead in creating precise upholstery patterns and ensure a seamless transition from prototyping to production.

This role requires expertise in pattern development, upholstery construction, and close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Product Engineering, Manufacturing, and Design. Strong experience in patternmaking, upholstery fabrication, and Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles is essential for success.

This is a senior individual contributor role with technical ownership of pattern development standards and approvals.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Establish pattern development best practices, workflows, & documentation to ensure consistency & efficiency
• Lead pattern development during product introduction to meet project goals, timelines, quality, ergonomics & aesthetic standards
• Review preliminary product designs for feasibility & suggest DFM optimizations
• Collaborate with Engineering & Design to refine foam shapes & densities for optimal fit, comfort, & manufacturability
• Review & approve patterns for structural integrity, ergonomic performance & manufacturability
• Use software to convert complex 3D surfaces into accurate 2D patterns and supporting sewing documentation
• Oversee prototype builds & resolve pattern issues related to foam, seams, or fabric tension
• Recommend product construction adjustments to improve fabric laydown & reduce variability
• Create & maintain living documents to communicate prototyping challenges & suggestions for improvement
• Serve as the key escalation point for pattern challenges, driving effective solutions & continuous improvement
• Use digital patterning, nesting, & grading tools integrated with automated cutting systems
• Identify cost & process optimization opportunities while maintaining product quality & aesthetics
• Manage BOMs, revisions, & technical documentation through PLM/PDM systems
• Create & maintain relevant upholstery & patternmaking standards

Qualifications, Skills and Education:

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of upholstery patternmaking & fabrication experience, including cut, molded, & over-molded foam applications
• Hands-on experience with foam, muslin, vinyl, & other upholstery prototyping materials
• Strong communication & collaboration skills with cross-functional & cross-cultural teams
• Proven ability to develop & refine complex foam assemblies for consistency & manufacturability
• Skilled in analyzing foam properties (compression, spring-back, adhesion) & applying insights to pattern design
• Proficiency in industrial sewing machines, upholstery tools, & prototyping equipment
• Advanced proficiency in at least one patternmaking software such as Optitex, Gerber AccuMark, Lectra, or ExactFlat
• Experienced in developing upholstered products from concept through production launch
• Ability to interpret sketches, CAD drawings, & 3D models into accurate production-ready patterns

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical certification in Patternmaking or equivalent
• Experience working with U.S.-based consumer product companies
• Familiarity with 3D patterning & visualization software (CLO, Browzwear, NX Mastertrim)
• Knowledge of North American manufacturing & rapid prototyping workflows, especially automotive trim
• Adaptable, detail-oriented, & proactive in problem solving
• Experience with cost reduction exercises
• Bilingual proficiency in English & Spanish (verbal & written)

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand for extended periods & handle upholstery materials, leather, & tools

Perks and Benefits:
We hope that you’re excited by the possibilities that come along with working at Exemplis! With us, TEAM comes first. We bring integrity, passion, and excellence to work each day. Being part of our team means living our core values and thriving in an environment of constant innovation and positive change.

In addition to our unique culture, we also offer these fun perks and benefits.

Competitive Salary: Our compensation philosophy is to be externally competitive, internally fair, and not win or lose on compensation. Salary ranges are developed with the support of national benchmarks and industry best practices that adjusts to your cost of labor, years of relevant experience, skill set, and education.

Employee Discounts: We offer our employees discountsacross all of our product lines.

Hit our Numbers Lunch: When we hit our monthly milestones, we all celebrate!

About Us:

It all started in a small warehouse in California with just three employees, a fax machine and a bell that rang out every time a chair came down the conveyor belt. 30 years later, Exemplis continues to lead, innovate and disrupt an array of industries through its growing family of brands — including SitOnIt Seating,Timbuk2, X-Chair, Maverick, Mavix, Edloe Finch, and Albany Park.From sustainable manufacturing to outreach programs and more, we strive to make a positive impact on everyone we serve. We make sure our people (and their communities) are at the core of our organization. To make a difference, we must be a champion of diversity, inclusion, service and social justice — above all else. Are you ready to be a part of something special? We have headquarters, offices and retail stores across the U.S. (plus a variety of flexible work opportunities). Learn more and apply today.
Exemplis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and our company adheres to the equal employment opportunity guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local laws. Read our full statement on our careers page.

Nearest Major Market: Orange County
Nearest Secondary Market: Los Angeles