The Upholstery R&D Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and documentation of padding materials and cushioning systems for upholstered furniture products. This role focuses on creating technical drawings and specifications for foam, fiber, and other padding components while ensuring optimal comfort, durability, and manufacturability.
1. Drawing Creation & Documentation:
- Create detailed technical drawings of padding materials including foam cores, fiber wraps, batting layers, and cushion assemblies.
- Develop cross-sectional views showing foam density zones, layer compositions, and material specifications.
- Generate dimensional drawings with precise measurements for cutting patterns and material yields.
- Produce assembly instructions showing proper layering sequences and attachment methods.
- Upload and maintain all technical drawings in the company's Product Data Management (PDM).
2. Material Specification & Development:
- Specify foam types, densities, IFD (Indentation Force Deflection) ratings, and performance characteristics.
- Select appropriate fiber fills, batting materials, and comfort layers based on product requirements.
- Work with suppliers to test and evaluate new padding materials and technologies.
- Document material properties, performance testing results, and cost comparisons.
3. Product Development Support:
- Collaborate with design teams to translate aesthetic concepts into manufacturable padding solutions.
- Partner with prototype teams to create physical samples for testing and evaluation.
- Conduct comfort testing and adjust based on feedback from testing panels.
- Support cost reduction initiatives by optimizing material usage and identifying alternative materials.
4. Quality & Compliance:
- Ensure all padding designs meet safety standards (flammability, chemical emissions, etc.).
- Create and maintain Bill of Materials (BOM) for all padding components.
- Document design changes and maintain revision control of all technical drawings.
- Support quality teams in resolving manufacturing issues related to padding materials.
