R&D Engineer, Composites

Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data and the environment. 

Trusted by the world's leading companies to deliver crucial, innovative, and sustainable solutions, we provide value-adding products including apparel, footwear and speciality threads.

Role Pupose

We’re looking for a dynamic R&D Engineer to support the development of innovative products and associated manufacturing processes, with a primary focus on composite solutions for the Telecom and Energy markets. Reporting to the Innovation and Commercial Leader, this role will be based in our manufacturing facility in Lliçà d'Amunt (Barcelona) and will work cross‑functionally across the organization to translate market needs into scalable technical solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to the growth of a fast‑evolving, high‑potential market while helping shape the next generation of composite product platforms.

What you will do

• Develop new products and manufacturing processes, as well as the modification of existing solutions ensuring alignment with market trends and specific customer requirements.


• Perform materials characterization and performance validation, including mechanical testing, data analysis, and interpretation to support product specifications and qualification.


• Act as project lead for strategic R&D initiatives, managing scope, timelines, technical risk, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure successful execution.


• Serve as the technical liaison and subject‑matter expert between business units and internal or external manufacturing locations, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and technical alignment.


• Provide technical expertise to upstream manufacturing technologies, driving continuous improvement in current processes and supporting the scale‑up of new capabilities.


• Conduct applied research and maintain knowledge of industry trends, emerging materials, and advanced extrusion technologies, translating insights into actionable innovation opportunities.

What we’re looking for

Core Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Industrial Engineering/Design, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or related discipline.


• + 5 years’ of hands-on work experience in composite development, manufacturing, or product engineering.


• Proven experience in materials characterization, specifically testing and analyzing mechanical properties.


• Strong communication skills (English & Spanish) and ability to interface with all stakeholders in the development process.


• Strong team orientation and ability to collaborate.


• Ability to analyze samples and determine construction and characteristic information into product specification.


• Strong team orientation and comfort working in cross‑functional, high-paced and multicultural environments.


• Willingness to travel for day trips to manufacturing sites and occasional overnight travel to customers or industry events.

Highly preferred (a strong plus):

• Familiarity with the state-of-the-art technologies in extrusion, coatings, die design and common post-production techniques.


• Experience in manufacturing and new product development of extruded plastic profiles.


• Proficiency in CAD software for designing extrusion dies and related components.


• Posgraduate studies in a relevant technical discipline.

Who you are

You are highly motivated, self-driven, and open-minded professional who is comfortable thinking outside the box while maintaining discipline in execution and technical rigor.

If you’re ready to lead shape new product platforms and grow within a high‑potential global business, we'd love to hear from you.

Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data and the environment. 

Trusted by the world's leading companies to deliver crucial, innovative, and sustainable solutions, we provide value-adding products including apparel, footwear and speciality threads.

Role Pupose

We’re looking for a dynamic R&D Engineer to support the development of innovative products and associated manufacturing processes, with a primary focus on composite solutions for the Telecom and Energy markets. Reporting to the Innovation and Commercial Leader, this role will be based in our manufacturing facility in Lliçà d'Amunt (Barcelona) and will work cross‑functionally across the organization to translate market needs into scalable technical solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to the growth of a fast‑evolving, high‑potential market while helping shape the next generation of composite product platforms.

What you will do

• Develop new products and manufacturing processes, as well as the modification of existing solutions ensuring alignment with market trends and specific customer requirements.


• Perform materials characterization and performance validation, including mechanical testing, data analysis, and interpretation to support product specifications and qualification.


• Act as project lead for strategic R&D initiatives, managing scope, timelines, technical risk, and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure successful execution.


• Serve as the technical liaison and subject‑matter expert between business units and internal or external manufacturing locations, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and technical alignment.


• Provide technical expertise to upstream manufacturing technologies, driving continuous improvement in current processes and supporting the scale‑up of new capabilities.


• Conduct applied research and maintain knowledge of industry trends, emerging materials, and advanced extrusion technologies, translating insights into actionable innovation opportunities.

What we’re looking for

Core Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Industrial Engineering/Design, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or related discipline.


• + 5 years’ of hands-on work experience in composite development, manufacturing, or product engineering.


• Proven experience in materials characterization, specifically testing and analyzing mechanical properties.


• Strong communication skills (English & Spanish) and ability to interface with all stakeholders in the development process.


• Strong team orientation and ability to collaborate.


• Ability to analyze samples and determine construction and characteristic information into product specification.


• Strong team orientation and comfort working in cross‑functional, high-paced and multicultural environments.


• Willingness to travel for day trips to manufacturing sites and occasional overnight travel to customers or industry events.

Highly preferred (a strong plus):

• Familiarity with the state-of-the-art technologies in extrusion, coatings, die design and common post-production techniques.


• Experience in manufacturing and new product development of extruded plastic profiles.


• Proficiency in CAD software for designing extrusion dies and related components.


• Posgraduate studies in a relevant technical discipline.

Who you are

You are highly motivated, self-driven, and open-minded professional who is comfortable thinking outside the box while maintaining discipline in execution and technical rigor.

If you’re ready to lead shape new product platforms and grow within a high‑potential global business, we'd love to hear from you.