Soft Goods Technician, Sewer (Starfall)

SpaceX
Bloomfield, CT

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-level manufacturing professionals who can work with technical sewing and engineering processes, and who are comfortable with long hours and strict compliance in the aerospace domain.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with industrial sewing experience and a background in technical manufacturing or aerospace-related fields
    — “Experience as a seamster/seamstress/machinist in an industrial environment”
  • Individuals who thrive in hands-on roles with a focus on precision and process improvement
    — “Work with engineering and supervision to resolve assembly problems and implement process improvements”
  • Candidates with experience handling specialized materials like Kevlar, Teflon, and Spectra
    — “Handle a range of fabrics and materials with various properties (nylon, kevlar, zylon, spectra, teflon etc.)”

Things to consider

  • This role requires a strong physical tolerance for long hours and manual labor
    — “Must be able to work long hours (10+) and weekends/holidays as necessary”
  • The candidate must be eligible for U.S. Government export authorizations
    — “To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national...”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with multi-needle and zig-zag sewing machines in your resume and interview
    — “Experience with multi-needle (two-needle, four-needle) and zig-zag machines”
  • Showcase your ability to follow technical instructions and work to specifications
    — “Experience following written technical instructions and working to specifications”
  • Highlight your history of maintaining quality through detailed inspections
    — “Maintain quality by inspecting raw material for flaws and finished product for nonconformance”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • accurately assembling products
  • installing hardware
  • adjusting machine settings
  • documenting actions
Typical background
manufacturing or production setting experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Sewing And Hardware InstallationOperating Sewing MachinesCutting And Marking MaterialsFollowing Written Work InstructionsMaintaining Quality By Inspecting Raw Material And Finished Product

Preferred

Automotive, Aerospace, Or Marine Upholstery Trades ExperienceMulti-needle And Automatic Machines Experience

Stack & domain

SewingHardware InstallationAutomated MachineryMulti-needle MachinesAutomatic MachinesWritten Technical InstructionsCreating And Cutting Different Materials And FabricsCommunication SkillsAerospace

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SOFT GOODS TECHNICIAN, SEWER (STARFALL)

SpaceX is seeking exceptional employees to join the Bloomfield, Connecticut soft goods team in producing a variety of specialized fabric products (parachutes, rip-stitch modulators, protective closeouts, insulative covers etc.) for multiple SpaceX programs (Starfall, Dragon, Starship, Starlink).  As a technician on the soft goods team, you will have the opportunity to develop a diverse skill set, ranging from sewing and hardware installation to operating automated machinery.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Prepare for work via gathering and sorting materials and tools

Handle a range of fabrics and materials with various properties (nylon, kevlar, zylon, spectra, teflon etc.)

Cut and mark materials from templates and patterns to specified tolerances

Follow written work instructions on computers, perform basic math and measurements with calibrated tools, and read engineering drawings to accurately assemble products

Navigate through SpaceX’s online work order system, accurately clocking in and out of operations

Install hardware such as pins, rivets, grommets, snaps, zippers, and fasteners

Stitch components and materials by sewing machine (light, medium, heavy-duty) or by hand sewing

Adjust settings on machines as needed by observing machine operation and detecting malfunctions/deviations

Maintain quality by inspecting raw material for flaws and finished product for nonconformance

Document actions by completing production and quality logs

Work with engineering and supervision to resolve assembly problems and implement process improvements

Ensure your workspace is maintained, cleaned, and organized every day

Will adhere to safety and personal protection practices

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

1+ years of hands-on work experience working in a manufacturing or production setting

1+ year of experience using workplace software (google workspace, Microsoft office, internal data or ticketing systems) in a professional, academic, or project setting 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

2+ years of professional sewing experience

Experience as a seamster/seamstress/machinist in an industrial environment

Experience in the automotive, aerospace, or marine upholstery trades

Experience with multi-needle (two-needle, four-needle) and zig-zag machines

Experience with automatic machines (bar tacking, pattern tacking)

Experience following written technical instructions and working to specifications

Experience creating and cutting different materials and fabrics

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work long hours (10+) and weekends/holidays as necessary

Must be able to stand for extended periods - 8 hours minimum

Must be willing to work all shifts and overtime as needed.

Able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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