Careers at TopTec

Senior Fabric Structures Designer

Department: Design
Reports To: Design Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Moore, SC 

Revision Date: 2026-01-18 

Role Summary 

The Senior Fabric Structures Designer/Engineer is responsible for the complete technical lifecycle of tension fabric structures and related textile products, from concept and geometry through patterning, engineering, and production-ready files. 

This role owns the technical design of large-format fabric structures such as event tents, membrane structures, and custom textile enclosures, and serves as the internal subject-matter expert for fabric behavior under tension, panelization, seam engineering, and print integration. 

Key Responsibilities 

1) Structural & Product Design 

– Design and engineer tension fabric structures including single-pole, twin-pole, multi-pole, clear-span, and framed tension systems. 

– Develop top views, elevations, sections, pole layouts, spacing grids, and perimeter geometry. 

– Define fabric surface geometry, curvature, seam orientation, reinforcement zones, and load transfer areas. 

2) Patterning & Fabrication Engineering 

– Convert 3D fabric surfaces into 2D cutting patterns suitable for manufacturing. 

– Create panel layouts, seam maps, weld/sew allowances, and reinforcement details (webbing, keder, rope edge, grommets, patches). 

– Apply fabric compensation factors and account for stretch, creep, and tensioning behavior. 

– Develop repeatable scaling logic across multiple product sizes. 

 

3) Print & Graphic File Preparation 

– Prepare print-ready files for logos, stripes, and full-coverage graphics. 

– Warp and map artwork to curved fabric surfaces. 

– Ensure seam-to-seam registration, proper bleed and overlap, and color/scale consistency across panels. 

4) Manufacturing Integration 

– Generate fabrication-ready CAD outputs (DXF, AI, PDF, PLT, etc.). 

– Support prototyping, first-article builds, and production troubleshooting. 

– Work closely with sewing, welding, RF sealing, and cutting teams. 

 

5) Product Development 

– Lead development of new tent models, structure families, and size expansions. 

– Drive improvements in material efficiency, assembly simplification, and structural performance. 

 

6) Train and assist less experienced members of the design team on certain aspects of all of the above.    

Authority & Decision Rights 

– Owns technical design decisions for fabric structures and textile products. 

– Defines panelization, seam layout, and reinforcement strategy. 

– Approves production-ready pattern and print files prior to release to manufacturing. 

– Provides technical sign-off on prototypes and new product introductions. 

Required Qualifications 

– 5+ years experience designing tension fabric structures, such as tents, architectural membranes, shade structures, awnings, marine canvas, sails, or inflatable/tensile textile structures. 

– Proven experience in fabric patterning, panelization, and 3D-to-2D surface development. 

– Strong CAD skills using a combination of Rhino/Grasshopper, AutoCAD, SolidWorks/Inventor/Fusion 360, or similar tools. 

– Experience with textile CAD systems (Gerber, Lectra, Optitex, or similar) strongly preferred. 

– Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator or equivalent for print preparation. 

– Deep understanding of fabric behavior under tension, warp/weft orientation, compensation factors, seam load paths, and reinforcement engineering. 

Preferred Qualifications 

– Experience with architectural or industrial fabrics (e.g., Serge Ferrari, Mehler, Sioen, Verseidag, Saint-Gobain). 

– Background in tensile architecture, large event tent systems, or membrane structures. 

– Familiarity with wind and snow load design principles and structural analysis workflows (directly or via consultants). 

– Experience designing products that scale across multiple sizes and configurations. 

Education 

– Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Industrial Design, Textile Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. 

Performance Expectations 

– Delivers production-ready designs with minimal iteration and rework. 

– Reduces material waste and improves manufacturing efficiency over time. 

– Successfully launches new products and size expansions on schedule. 

– Serves as internal technical authority for fabric structures and textile engineering. 

Role Boundaries (What This Role Is Not) 

– This role is not a graphic designer position. 

– This role is not a basic CAD drafting position. 

– This role is not a traditional pattern-making-only position. 

– This role is a senior product engineering position specializing in fabric and tensile structures. 

Tent Designer/Drafter – Job Description 

Role Overview 

Are you passionate about creativity and innovation? For this role, we are looking for detail-oriented designer focused on accurate and standardized two-dimensional production drawings, cutfiles, and three-dimensional tent assemblies. This role will support the design team in ensuring production ready references on time, as well as revising files when needed.  

Reporting Structure 

Department: Design
Reports To: Design Manager
Direct Reports: None
Employment Type: Hourly, Non-Exempt 

Qualifications 

• High School Diploma 

• Experience with CAD software (Rhinoceros 3D, Fusion 360 preferred)  

• Experience preferably related to company products and/or design field. 

• Technical training is a plus (see core competencies)  

Core Competencies 

• Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively across departments to align specifications, timelines, and design changes 

• Strong analytical skills to make sound judgments and decisive actions. 

• Proven ability to thrive in collaborative environments and meet deadlines while adapting to changes. 

• Capacity to quickly grasp technical issues and address them effectively. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 

• Ability to interact with customers and resolve tent design issues. 

• Serve as an expert resource for customers, customer service, and sales teams. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Ensure compliance with project specifications, drafting standards, internal policies, and design guidelines. 

• Create and revise drawings with precision, adhering to drafting and manufacturing standards. 

• Interpret and work from marked-up prints, sketches, and verbal instructions to produce working drawings. 

• Manage realistic expectations with the Sales and Production departments regarding design timelines, capacity, and revisions to support smooth manufacturing handoff. 

• Update and maintain project files. 

• Refine and improve concepts and ideas initiated by others. 

• Design according to TopTec standards, utilizing various material types appropriately. 

• Communicate with managers and team members to meet customer specifications and ensure design features are clearly understood. 

• Coordinate and schedule design tasks to support manufacturing processes. 

• Work independently or collaboratively on multiple projects under tight deadlines. 

• Travel to customer sites for design evaluations. 

• Communicate with internal and external customers to resolve tent design-related issues. 

• Manage data entry of pool cover plots, including pattern conversions, customization, and DXF file generation as needed. 

• Demonstrate proficiency in Meyco Plotting, Designer, and Pricing Software. 

• Participate in tent and pool cover repair tasks as needed. 

What We Offer 

• A positive and inclusive workplace culture.  

• Career development opportunities and training programs. 

• Vacation, PTO, and holiday pay.  

• Comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, 401K matching, and more!  

• Join us to be part of something incredible and build your future with TopTec!