Garment Technician

Fixed-term, 5 days a week contract, ending 31 December 2025 (Possibility to extend)

About ZELP

ZELP is an agricultural technology company committed to creating a sustainable future for agriculture - one that meets the needs of present and future generations, promoting human and environmental health, animal welfare, and social and economic equity.

Our first focus is to develop and scale technology that measures and mitigates methane emissions in the livestock industry. Today, 1.3 billion people rely on the industry for their livelihoods and food security. However, it is the single biggest human-driven source of methane emissions globally, emitting more than both the oil & gas industry and the coal industry.

The deployment of our technologies on a global scale has the potential to drive half the global methane reduction needed by 2030, and to greatly transform the beef and dairy industries.

ZELP was an inaugural winner of the Terra Carta Design Lab, and has received funding and support from the European Commission, Innovate UK, The Global Methane Hub and the Gates Foundation. 

Job Details

As a key member in our Build and Deployment team within ZELP you will play an important role in the design and development of the ZELP Sense device; our first commercial product. You will also collaborate closely with the wider Design Engineering team and our Animal Scientists, contributing to exciting project work. 

The role will report to a Design Engineer within the Sense team and blend traditional sewing expertise with innovative product development for the agricultural technology sector. Starting ASAP, this is a Fixed-term, 5 days a week contract role, ending 31 December 2025  with a good possibility to extend.

The responsibilities include:

• Sew, assemble and repair prototypes of the Sense device for testing with global customers and partners.


• Create and refine designs of the fabric components of the Sense device throughout the development cycle.


• Take measurements of different cows breeds to inform pattern design and sizing


• Conduct fittings on cows to ensure products accommodate a range of breeds comfortably.


• Collaborate on pattern development and assist in creating detailed tech packs for manufacturers.


• Support quality control by inspecting and testing devices before shipment.


• Evaluate returned devices for durability and fabric performance, recording any wear, breakage, or damage to feed into learnings for further device development.


• Manage fabric inventory, ordering, and tracking to ensure smooth workflow.


• Prepare and clean fabric parts for reuse in the prototyping process.


• Support in house garment robustness testing
  
  

Required experience:

• Extensive hands-on sewing experience, ideally with neoprene or technical fabrics


• Strong knowledge of pattern cutting and garment construction.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.


• Problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to feedback and troubleshoot fit or material issues.

Nice to have experience:

• Experience working with neoprene or similar technical fabrics.


• Preparing detailed assembly instructions and tech packs for manufacturing.


• Previous work on garments or equipment designed for animals.


• Background in farming/agriculture, or enthusiasm to learn about the industry.


• Experience liaising with international suppliers and manufacturers across small and large-scale production runs.


• Knowledge of advanced or performance fabrics.


• Experience designing, building and adapting prototype garments, as well as taking these to production of 100s/1000s units/year


• Interest in sustainability of textiles.

Please send your portfolio or examples of your work while applying or email them to [email protected].