Founding Textile Engineer (Equity + EXIST Funding)

INTRO

NexTex AI is building machine-level intelligence for textile manufacturing.

Our platform combines industrial cameras retrofit sensors machine data and AI models to detect textile defects identify production anomalies and generate sustainability intelligence across knitting dyeing finishing and quality control operations.

We are looking for a Founding Textile Engineer who understands both the technical realities of textile manufacturing and the challenges that arise across the production process. You will work directly with our AI team pilot factories and machine partners to help translate textile expertise into scalable industrial AI solutions.

A strong understanding of knitted fabrics is essential. Our initial focus includes circular knitting production dyeing finishing and fabric inspection processes. Key manufacturing challenges include needle-related defects needle breaks vertical needle lines elastane and Lycra-related distortions oil stains stitch irregularities holes line defects machine start-stop anomalies and other quality deviations that impact fabric performance and production efficiency.

On the dyeing and finishing side NexTex AI focuses on detecting and understanding shade deviations (ΔE) color consistency issues process instabilities re-dye risks and quality variations that can lead to increased water consumption energy usage chemical consumption reprocessing costs and fabric waste.

NexTex AI is currently preparing its EXIST startup funding application and collaborates with industrial partners including Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH in Germany as well as Ribana Tekstil and Nuryıldız Tekstil in Turkey. These partnerships provide direct access to real production environments industrial machine fleets knitting machines dyeing facilities finishing operations textile defect scenarios and pilot deployment opportunities from day one.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about textile manufacturing innovation and helping build the next generation of AI-powered production intelligence for one of the worlds largest manufacturing industries.

Tasks

TASKS

Work directly with knitting dyeing finishing and quality control operations in industrial textile manufacturing environments

Identify classify and document textile defects including needle-related defects needle breaks elastane and Lycra failures vertical needle lines oil stains stitch irregularities holes line defects and machine-process anomalies

Analyze root causes of production issues and support the development of corrective and preventive actions

Support the creation and validation of textile defect datasets used for AI model training

Collaborate with AI engineers to translate textile production challenges into machine learning and computer vision applications

Define textile-specific defect taxonomies quality standards and production workflows

Support the development of machine-level quality and sustainability KPIs

Analyze dyeing and finishing processes including shade deviations (ΔE) color consistency issues re-dye risks and process instabilities

Participate in pilot deployments and industrial validation projects at partner factories

Work closely with textile manufacturers machine manufacturers operators production managers and the NexTex AI team

Help shape the textile knowledge foundation and product strategy of NexTex AI

BENEFITS

Founding team position from day one

Equity participation of up to 15% depending on experience commitment and long-term involvement

Monthly compensation of approximately 2500 through the German EXIST Startup Grant program

Full health insurance coverage through the EXIST funding program

Opportunity for increased compensation following successful completion of the EXIST funding phase and future financing milestones

Opportunity to grow into a future Head of Textile Technology or senior leadership role

Access to the Berlin startup ecosystem through the EXIST and PRO FIT funding programs

Direct access to pilot factories industrial production environments and machine manufacturers from day one

Collaboration with leading textile manufacturers and machine technology partners

Gym membership support

Flexible working arrangements with Berlin preferred and Europe considered for exceptional candidates

High ownership and direct impact on company strategy and product development

Opportunity to help build a category-defining Industrial AI company for textile manufacturing

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS

Degree in Textile Engineering Textile Technology Textile Management or a related field

Strong understanding of knitted fabric production and circular knitting processes

Knowledge of fabric structures including Single Jersey Rib Interlock French Terry and elastane-containing fabrics

Understanding of textile quality control and defect analysis

Knowledge of dyeing finishing and fabric inspection processes

Experience identifying and troubleshooting textile defects and production issues

Understanding of shade deviations (ΔE) color consistency and dyehouse quality challenges

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to work independently and communicate with technical and production teams

Fluent English

Nice to Have

Experience working in knitting dyeing finishing or fabric production facilities

Experience with quality assurance and textile testing

Knowledge of GOTS OCS OEKO-TEX or sustainability-related textile standards

Interest in AI Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing and digital transformation

Previous startup experience

Benefits

BENEFITS

Founding team position from day one

Equity participation of up to 15% depending on experience commitment and long-term involvement

Monthly compensation of approximately 2500 through the German EXIST Startup Grant program

Full health insurance coverage through the EXIST funding program

Opportunity for increased compensation following successful completion of the EXIST funding phase and future financing milestones

Opportunity to grow into a future Head of Textile Technology or senior leadership role

Access to the Berlin startup ecosystem through the EXIST and PRO FIT funding programs

Direct access to pilot factories industrial production environments and machine manufacturers from day one

Collaboration with leading textile manufacturers and machine technology partners

Gym membership support

Flexible working arrangements with Berlin preferred and Europe considered for exceptional candidates

High ownership and direct impact on company strategy and product development

Opportunity to help build a category-defining Industrial AI company for textile manufacturing

CLOSING

If you are passionate about textile manufacturing production excellence and the future of intelligent factories we would love to hear from you.

This is a unique opportunity to work directly with textile manufacturers machine producers and AI engineers while helping build the next generation of AI-powered manufacturing intelligence.

Please include your CV or LinkedIn profile a short introduction about yourself and any relevant experience in knitting dyeing finishing quality control or textile production.

We are particularly interested in people who enjoy solving real production challenges taking ownership and helping shape the future of textile manufacturing through technology and innovation.