Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.

We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.

Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.

Role Description

To support Koala’s core category - upholstery success in coming years, specifically on upholstery textile/cover innovation, working with Koala designer/product management/quality and our suppliers closely, improve product efficiency and customer experience, and contribute innovation to the upholstery category.

Key Responsibilities

• Take leading technical responsibility roles for assigned projects on upholstery textile/cover, and homeware, including material selection and specification, textile construction design & validation and with production friendly in consideration.

• Responsible for making product documentation & specification on upholstery textile/cover and homeware products for suppliers to follow in production.

• Work closely with Designer, resolve textile/cover part design to ensure optimal user experience while constantly pushing to minimize part complexity and cost.

• Responsible for upholstery textile/cover and homeware products engineering solution improvement opportunities and implementation.

• Understand legal requirements (and relevant standards) and ensure textile product compliance.

• Work closely with the Package team, contribute to upholstery textile and homeware products’ packaging solutions.

• Work with Quality responsible, to develop and implement in-house testing capability including lifecycle and other performance testing for upholstery textile/cover.

• Work with Product Managers/Developers to communicate the technical agenda with suppliers and other development partners on upholstery textile/cover and homeware products.

• Supporting Innovation Director in technical problems solving on upholstery textile/cover and homeware products.

• Supporting Innovation Director on communicating effectively with key stakeholders including expressing the rationale of upholstery textile/cover and homeware products design and new design decisions, sourcing required information (internally and externally) as well as identifying, escalating and resolving issues arising from the design process

• Work closely with Designer and Product managers/Developers to secure the assigned product development project success on time.

Ideal background

Technical Foundation

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a Textile Engineering, Garment Technologist, Product Engineering or similar technical role within a high volume manufacturing environment

• Degree in Textile Engineering, Apparel Technology, Product Engineering or a related technical discipline

• Strong grounding in material science, textile construction, garment assembly and industrial sewing methods

• Advanced knowledge of Adobe Illustrator for technical drawings and specification packs

• Strong pattern making and sewing or construction capability, with hands on understanding of how textile components are assembled for production

Manufacturing & Production

• Experience resolving designs to a production ready standard, particularly for upholstery textiles, covers or soft goods assemblies
  Confident creating detailed drawings, technical specifications and QC or QA documentation, including tolerances for bulk production
  Experience working through fabrication methods to ensure components can be manufactured consistently at scale
  Exposure to factory collaboration, sampling, bulk approvals and production troubleshooting in a high volume environment

Product Development & Testing

• Experience developing practical solutions to technical challenges that arise during product development and concept generation

• Development and production of prototypes to test specific component performance and overall product performance

• Experience designing and producing jigs and fixtures for ad hoc or lifecycle testing

• Understanding of performance testing for upholstery textiles and textile assemblies
  

Treehouse Perks and Privileges

Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy bunch!

• Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)

• Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.

  Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.

• Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!

• Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.

• Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.

• Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform Juno, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.

• Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding, 1% and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to!

Koalities We Look For

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We are ambitious. We are curious. We are selfless. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. We're confident, but NEVER arrogant and we adapt to change like Steve Smith under a short ball. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)

There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.

To read more, check out our careers, LinkedIn, or the great work we do with Work180.