Softgood Engineering Technologist

Mclaurin Aerospace • Houston, TX

11h • Onsite

About The Position

Join the JETS II contract team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as a Softgood Engineering Technologist. The role supports NASA's deep-space exploration efforts by designing, developing, fabricating, and testing functional softgoods for advanced exploration space suits and related support items. It requires strong technical proficiency, craftsmanship, and attention to presentation, as well as collaboration with engineers, technicians, and designers to understand requirements and communicate design concepts. The position is posted at multiple levels, and the candidate's experience, qualifications, and business needs will determine the level considered.

The position also involves creating patterns and mockups to verify fit and function, interpreting fabrication drawings, documenting designs and processes, maintaining and modifying equipment, exploring innovative materials and manufacturing techniques, and keeping lab spaces organized. Occasional travel to other NASA centers or contractors may be required for fabrication and installation. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Requirements

• Typically, a high school diploma and five years of experience, or a bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology or a related field.
• Experience in a softgoods development lab, emphasizing softgoods design and fabrication.
• Ability to independently devise solutions to complex design challenges and solicit input from other technical experts.
• Expertise in hands-on fabrication techniques and sewing processes, including sewing machines, laser cutters, fabric welders, 3D printers, bandsaws, drills, and hand tools.
• Demonstrated success working with a cross-disciplinary team.
• Proficiency with CAD programs and software such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, and Rhino 8.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation.

Nice To Haves

• A BA, BFA, or BS in Industrial Design, Apparel Design, or an equivalent field.
• Experience with aerospace product design processes, including reading, understanding, and creating fabrication drawings.
• Experience with fabrication processes for softgoods product prototyping.
• Familiarity with softgoods article and textile testing procedures.
• Additional experience in manufacturing, testing, or design processes that could support advanced space suit technology development.
• Understanding of the characteristics and properties of advanced space-grade textiles and other materials.
• Familiarity with NASA/JSC softgoods design and development and the JETS Engineering Life Cycle processes.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, fabricate, and support testing of functional softgoods for advanced exploration space suits and ancillary support items.
• Collaborate and communicate with engineers, technicians, and designers to understand requirements for suited space systems and hardware.
• Present design concepts and considerations clearly and thoroughly.
• Take ownership of design tasks and show initiative in completing projects.
• Perform machine maintenance, repairs, and custom modifications for specialized operations.
• Create patterns and mockups to verify the fit and function of softgoods articles.
• Interpret fabrication drawings to assemble sewn products and other softgoods.
• Document new design work and clearly define processes and techniques.
• Seek out new manufacturing techniques and innovative materials.
• Keep lab spaces clean, organized, and well maintained.
• Occasionally travel to other NASA centers or contractors to perform softgoods fabrication and installation.
• Lift and transport materials and equipment, and work in confined spaces and on stairs, steps, and ladders.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous paid time off
• 401(k) after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance, if applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED