Softgoods Developer

Meta•Seattle, WA

1d•$144,000 - $204,000

About The Position

Meta is building the next generation of wearable devices and consumer hardware products, and we are looking for a Softgoods Developer to help shape the physical experience of augmented and virtual reality headsets, smart glasses, and related wearable accessories. In this role, you will design, prototype and develop softgoods components and processes — including head straps, facial interfaces, carrying cases, and textile-based wearable elements — that balance comfort, durability, aesthetics, and manufacturability across Meta's hardware product lines.

Requirements

5+ years of experience developing softgoods products such as wearables, consumer electronics accessories, sporting goods, or apparel with a focus on technical construction
Experience operating softgoods manufacturing equipment, e.g., sewing machines, laser cutters, Zund, heat presses, etc
Experience using 3D CAD tools (such as Rhino or SolidWorks) in conjunction with softgoods pattern development to support integrated hardware-softgoods design workflows for tooling design
Experience building soft goods prototypes, creating production-ready soft goods documentation including pattern development, construction specifications, and material specifications
Experience selecting and evaluating technical materials, including foams, textiles, meshes, and hardware components, for performance and durability requirements

Nice To Haves

Experience applying traditional sewing techniques, pattern making, and operating industrial sewing machines across multiple product types
Knowledge of sustainable or recycled material options and experience in applying them within consumer product development constraints
Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
Experience with CNC/CAM software
Experience developing soft goods components for head-worn devices such as VR or AR headsets, helmets, or medical wearables
Experience in programming and operating embroidery machines
Familiarity with human factors principles and ergonomic testing methodologies as applied to wearable product comfort
Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)

Responsibilities

Collaborate with ID generalist/specialist, human factors, and product design engineering teams to integrate softgoods solutions that meet ergonomic, aesthetic, and functional requirements
Develop softgoods components and manufacturing processes for wearable devices, including head straps, facial interfaces, cushions, and textile-based accessories from concept through mass production
Build mock-ups, prototypes, and sellable products quality samples in our state-of-the-art softgoods lab to communicate design intent, support UX research studies and for leadership reviews
Create detailed design/process documentation, including pattern files, tooling, construction specifications, material callouts, and bill of materials for softgoods components
Source and evaluate materials, including foams, fabrics, meshes, and hardware trims, in partnership with materials engineers and supply chain teams. Work with contract manufacturers and vendors to develop prototypes, review samples, and resolve construction or quality issues
Define and maintain softgoods construction standards, tolerancing guidelines, and quality acceptance criteria
Support design for manufacturability reviews, identifying opportunities to optimize patterns, seam construction, and assembly processes for scalable production
Prioritize and drive softgoods development workstreams by tracking milestones, managing dependencies, and communicating progress to cross-functional stakeholders