Softgoods Design Technologist – Project Test Engineer - Space Systems

Softgoods Design Technologist

Are you passionate about solving complex problems? Join our dynamic team as a Softgoods Design Technologist and become a vital contributor to support NASA as an Oceaneering Teammate on the JETS II contract. As an integral part of our organization, you'll play a crucial role in the Drafting and Manufacturing Mechanical Design section in the Engineering Department on the NASA JSC Engineering, Technology and Science II (JETS II) Contract. This role will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the thrilling world of human spaceflight and deep space exploration programs. Your contributions will ensure that our services not only meet - but outperform all standards and expectations. As a Softgoods Design Technologist you'll find yourself at the forefront of innovation, collaborating with a passionate team who shares your dedication to excellence. If you're seeking to immerse yourself in an environment where your skills and expertise will make a genuine impact, we invite you to join our team! We are seeking someone with a keen eye for detail, a strong commitment to owning their work, and providing superior quality. You should be a person who thrives in a diverse environment and who is comfortable communicating at all levels of the organization. To be successful in this role, you should have a sense of genuine, engaging curiosity, and a desire for growth and continuous learning. Someone in this role would typically have a HS diploma and 5 years of experience or BS in Engineering Technology or related field. This position can be hired at any level in our professional career framework, depending on business need at the time of hire. International travel may be required. Straight time overtime, 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off), and/or 1 day of telework per week may be available.

Duties And Responsibilities

Some of your major responsibilities will include:

• Design, develop, fabricate, and support testing of new and innovative functional soft goods articles for advanced exploration space suits and ancillary support softgoods items for the Advanced Suit Team.
• Collaborate and communicate with engineers, technicians, and other designers to understand requirements of working on a variety of systems and hardware.
• Work at a high level of technical proficiency and with detailed attention to craftsmanship and presentation.
• Clearly and thoroughly present design concepts and considerations.
• Take ownership of design tasks and show initiative to complete projects.
• Perform machine maintenance, repair, and custom modifications to tailor the machines for unique operations as required.
• Create patterns and develop mockups for verifying fit and function of soft good articles.
• Interpret fabrication drawings to assemble sewn products and document new design work and clearly define process and techniques.
• Seek out new manufacturing techniques and innovative materials.
• Keep the lab spaces clean, organized, and well maintained to perform the duty's stated above.
• Occasionally travel to other NASA centers or Contractors to perform soft goods fabrication and installation.
• Be able to lift and transport materials and equipment.
• Be able to work in confined spaces, scale steps, and ladders.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

Required:

• Requires a HS diploma and 5 years of experience or BS in Engineering Technology or related field.
• Experience designing and fabricating space suit soft goods for flight applications
• Experience with space suit soft goods flight material replacement tasks
• Experience in a soft goods development lab environment with emphasis in soft goods design and fabrication.
• Demonstrated capability to successfully devise solutions to complex design challenges independently and by soliciting inputs from other technical experts.
• Expertise in a wide range of hands-on fabrication techniques and sewing processes – sewing machines, laser cutters, fabric welders, 3D printers, bandsaws, drills, hand tools, etc.
• Demonstrated success working with a cross disciplinary team.
• Proficiency utilizing CAD programs and other software's such as Adobe and Office Suites.

Preferred:

• BA, BFA, or BS in Industrial Design, Apparel Design, or equivalent.
• Experience in aerospace product design processes including ability to read, understand, and create fabrication drawings.
• Experience with fabricating processes for prototyping soft good products.
• Familiarity with soft goods article and textiles testing procedures.
• Experience in Adobe Illustrator, AutoCAD, and Rhino 8.
• Ancillary experience in any number of manufacturing, testing, or design processes that could be beneficial to furthering the development of advanced space suit technologies.
• Understanding of materials characteristics and properties of advanced space grade textiles and other materials.
• Familiarity with the NASA/JSC Soft goods design and development and the JETS Engineering Life Cycle processes.

Additional Information

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factors.

How To Apply

Regular full-time employees who apply will be considered along with external candidates. Employees with less than six months with their current position are not eligible to apply for job postings. Please discuss your interest in the position with your current manager/supervisor prior to submitting your completed application. It is highly recommended to apply through the PeopleSoft or Oceanet portals.