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Textile Design Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Myomo, Inc

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer

Burlington, MA · On-site

$130K - $140K/yr

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer Department: Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location ... metal, textiles, and injection molding. * Collaborate with electrical & controls engineers to ...

Holland & Sherry

Sample Librarian, Part-time

Boston, MA · On-site

$20/hr

Sample Librarian, Part-time Holland & Sherry is an industry leader and source of high-quality textiles for the interior design trade, committed to providing innovative and custom solutions for our ...

KG Tiger

C++ SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Natick, MA

... multi-vertical focus on textile, engineering, healthcare, finance, IT & ITES services ... Help design, develop, integrate and maintain MATLAB application deployment products Develop ...

SCHOTT AG

Development Engineer

Southbridge, MA · On-site

$75K - $140K/yr

Design, specify, validate, and commission equipment, production lines, prototypes, and test systems ... textiles, composites, or related manufacturing technologies. * Strong technical aptitude and ...

Puma

Developer RCC Apparel

Somerville, MA · On-site

$62K - $83K/yr

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Textiles or Apparel/Fashion Merchandising preferred. * 2-4 years' experience in an apparel development based position * Knowledge of garment constructions ...

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All JobsTextile Design JobsTextile Design Jobs in Massachusetts

Textile Design information

See Massachusetts salary details

$47K

$76.7K

$103.8K

How much do textile design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for textile design in Massachusetts is $76,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,400.00 and $101,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What do you do as a textile designer?

A textile designer creates patterns, prints, and fabric designs for clothing, home furnishings, and other products. They use tools like CAD software and have knowledge of color theory, textiles, and manufacturing processes to develop innovative designs that meet client or market needs.

What is the difference between Textile Design vs Fashion Design?

AspectTextile DesignFashion Design
CredentialsTypically requires a degree or certification in textile design or related fieldsRequires a degree in fashion design or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, textile mills, or manufacturing facilitiesFashion houses, design studios, or retail companies
Industry UsageFocuses on creating patterns, prints, and fabric designsFocuses on designing clothing and accessories
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for their roles in fabric creation and apparel production

While both textile design and fashion design involve creativity and design skills, textile designers primarily focus on creating fabrics and patterns used in various products, including clothing. Fashion designers, on the other hand, develop complete clothing lines and styles. Both roles often collaborate but serve different stages of the apparel production process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a textile designer?

To thrive as a Textile Designer, you need strong artistic ability, an understanding of textile materials and techniques, and a degree in textile or surface design. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as knowledge of digital printing and weaving technologies, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help you stand out when collaborating with manufacturers and clients. These skills are crucial for creating innovative, market-ready textile products that meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.

Is textile design a good career?

Textile design is a creative profession that involves developing patterns and fabrics for fashion, home decor, and industrial use. It requires skills in drawing, computer-aided design (CAD), and knowledge of textile materials, with job opportunities available in manufacturing, fashion, and interior design industries.

What can you do with a textile design degree?

A textile design degree prepares individuals for careers in designing fabrics, patterns, and prints for fashion, home furnishings, and industrial applications. Graduates can work as textile designers, surface pattern designers, or product developers, often using design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The field may also require knowledge of manufacturing processes and trend forecasting.

How much do textile designers make a year?

The average annual salary for textile designers is around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and employer. Senior or specialized designers can earn higher salaries, especially with strong portfolios and skills in design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

What is textile design?

Textile design is the process of creating designs and patterns for woven, knitted, or printed fabrics. It involves both the artistic and technical aspects of fabric production, including selecting materials, colors, and techniques to achieve the desired look and functionality. Textile designers work in various industries such as fashion, interior design, and product manufacturing, collaborating closely with manufacturers and clients to bring their creative visions to life. The field requires a strong understanding of trends, materials, and production methods.

What are some common challenges textile designers face when collaborating with production teams?

Textile designers often work closely with production teams to ensure their creative concepts can be effectively translated into manufacturable fabrics. A common challenge is aligning design ideas with the technical limitations of machinery and material availability, which may require adjustments to patterns or color palettes. Effective communication and flexibility are essential, as designers may need to modify their original concepts to meet budget constraints, production timelines, or bulk order requirements. Navigating these challenges successfully can lead to stronger teamwork and more commercially viable designs.
What are the most commonly searched types of Textile Design jobs in Massachusetts? The most popular types of Textile Design jobs in Massachusetts are:
What are popular job titles related to Textile Design jobs in Massachusetts? For Textile Design jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Textile Design jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Textile Design jobs in Massachusetts are:
What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Textile Design jobs? Cities in Massachusetts with the most Textile Design job openings:
Textile Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Textile Design job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, and 23% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $76,721 per year, or $36.9 per hour.

Functional Apparel Designer

Harvard University

Allston, MA • On-site

$56/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 615 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences?
At the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), we work within and beyond the disciplines of engineering and foundational science to address the most pressing issues of our time. Through teaching and collaborative research, SEAS discovers, designs, and creates novel technologies and approaches to societal challenges - in service to the world, the nation, and our community. We collaborate across academic areas at SEAS and the larger university, and with colleagues in academia, industry, government and public service organizations beyond Harvard. By joining SEAS, you will be part of an inclusive community of dedicated problem-solvers who hold themselves - and one another - to the highest academic and professional standards. To learn more about us, please visit https://seas.harvard.edu/.
Job Description
Job Summary:
The John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University (SEAS) seeks a highly creative and enthusiastic Functional Apparel Designer to lead the conceptualization, design, and development of advanced textile-based solutions for wearable technologies.
Working at the intersection of apparel design, engineering, human factors, and translational research, the Designer will serve as the subject matter expert for functional apparel systems within the Harvard Move Lab. The role requires the application of advanced design knowledge, independent judgment, and creative problem-solving to develop novel wearable solutions that support research, product development, and technology translation initiatives.
Reporting to the Harvard Biodesign Lab faculty PI, the Designer will collaborate closely with engineers, researchers, clinicians, and external partners to translate complex functional requirements into innovative apparel systems and wearable technologies.
This is a one-year term position with the possibility of extension.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the team's lead apparel and wearable systems design expert for assigned research and development projects. Serve as the primary apparel design contact for faculty, researchers, engineers, clinicians, and industry collaborators.
  • Lead the design and development of functional apparel systems, including garment architecture, material selection, fit strategy, construction methodology, usability considerations, and performance requirements. Interpret technical, functional, and human-performance requirements and develop innovative apparel design solutions.
  • Work with the research team to integrate wearable technologies, sensing systems, actuation components, and other emerging technologies.
  • Develop original concepts, design frameworks, and wearable system configurations that advance research objectives and contribute to the creation of new intellectual property.
  • Design and oversee testing and evaluation for wearable systems; analyze results and recommend design modifications based on performance data and user feedback.
  • Select and evaluate materials, fabrication methodologies, and wearable technology approaches; recommend adoption of new techniques and technologies to improve performance, manufacturability, user experience, and research outcomes.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to research staff, students, and collaborators regarding apparel design methodologies, wearable system development, material selection, performance and human factors considerations. Instruct lab members on use of related software, pattern making, sizing and sewing.
  • Contribute to the strategic development of new research initiatives and translational opportunities involving wearable technologies.
  • Present findings and updates at team meetings and to outside project stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the development of technical reports, publications, presentations, grant proposals, and patent applications.

Working Conditions:
This position requires working full-time on campus in a research lab environment.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to work with equipment and tools related to apparel design.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Textile Design, Textile Engineering, Garment Engineering, Industrial Design, Human Factors Design, or a closely related field required.
  • Minimum 4 years of experience in apparel design, wearable technology development, advanced textiles, functional garment systems, or related research and development environments.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Demonstrated expertise in apparel design theory, textile materials, garment engineering, fit analysis, and human-centered design principles.
  • Proven ability to develop original design solutions for technically complex products or wearable systems.
  • Experience applying independent judgment to solve novel design and engineering challenges.
  • Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, designers, clinicians, and external partners.
  • Advanced proficiency with apparel CAD and digital design platforms (e.g. Optitex, Gerber, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Experience contributing to technical publications, patents, grant-funded research, or product development programs is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated record of significant contributions to research, product development, innovation, or commercialization efforts is strongly preferred.

Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 standard hours per week.
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education
  • Other Information:
    • This is a one-year term position from the date of hire with the possibility of extension.
    • Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 056. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Support for families and caregivers
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

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