Analytical textile technologist
Analytical textile technologists produce technical textiles for industries like automotive, aerospace and healthcare.
Salary range: £18,000 to £30,000
How to become an analytical textile technologist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You’ll usually need a degree in:
- textile science and technology
- materials science and engineering
You could do a postgraduate qualification in a subject like textiles technology, especially if your first degree is not related to textiles.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
Apprenticeship
You could do a textile technical specialist higher apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
You may be able to start out at technician level and then work your way up if you do not have a degree.
To do this, you’ll usually need some relevant work experience. You’ll also need to take some work-based training like a foundation degree.
More information
Further information
You can find out more about careers in textile technology from The Textile Institute.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- knowledge of chemistry
- knowledge of physics
- analytical thinking skills
- complex problem-solving skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties might include:
- analysing and testing samples in a lab
- measuring the technical performance of materials
- interpreting and reporting data
- writing technical reports
- developing new analytical techniques
- working with industry customers and suppliers
Working environment
You could work in a laboratory.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
You could become a senior technologist, leading a research and development team, move into quality control or become a technical production manager.
You might also move into buying or technical sales, working with materials suppliers and manufacturers of fashion and industrial textiles.