Soft Goods Technician

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

Equity in the company

401(k) retirement plan

Onsite meals and snacks

Drip coffee & onsite barista

Job summary

Vast, headquartered in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Soft Goods Technician to support crew equipment bags and interior fabrics for next-generation space stations.

This full-time, non-exempt role requires 5+ years of industrial sewing experience in aerospace or related manufacturing, ability to stand for long periods, and comfort with chemical handling and heavy machinery.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency required.
• 5+ years of professional sewing experience in industrial apparel, aerospace soft goods, or related manufacturing.
• Able to stand for extended periods and work with chemicals.
• Able to bend, kneel, balance, climb, stoop and crouch to adjust machinery and move materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop patterns for interior soft goods and cut them on industrial fabric cutters.
• Sew crew equipment bags and A-surface fabric to completion on industrial sewing machines with labels, zippers, tabs, and closures.
• Maintain and adjust machine settings for optimal sewn product quality.
• Inspect, test, and repair soft goods fabrication equipment.

Skills

Sewing proficiency

Pattern development

Fabric inspection

Work in aerospace

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Industrial sewing machines

Industrial fabric cutters

Job description

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure using an incremental, hardware-rich, and low-cost approach. Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches in 2027, followed by additional Haven modules. Additionally, the company recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line leveraging its space station components and the heritage of Haven Demo.

Headquartered in Long Beach, California, and with more than 1,000 employees and over a billion dollars in private capital, Vast has built the facilities required to manufacture and operate America’s next space station. The company plans to develop future habitats and systems for the Moon and Mars, dedicated space stations for government partners, and other crewed systems that will unlock the expanding long-term space economy.

Vast is looking for a Soft Goods Technician, reporting to the Manager of Soft Goods, to support the development of the crew equipment bags and habitable interior surfaces that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time,non-exempt position located in ourLong Beachlocation.

Responsibilities

• Develop patterns for use in interior soft goods and cut them on industrial fabric cutters
• Sew crew equipment bags and A-surface closeout fabric from cut pieces to completion on industrial sewing machines, including incorporation of labels, zippers, tabs, tangs, and other closure and affixment methods
• Maintain and adjust machine settings for optimal sewn product quality
• Inspect, test, and repair soft goods fabrication equipment

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of professional sewing experience in industrial apparel and accessories manufacturing, aerospace soft goods, or theater/costume manufacturing
• Able to stand for extended periods and work with a variety of chemicals
• Able to bend, kneel, balance, climb, stoop and crouch on a regular basis to adjust settings on machinery and move materials and tools as needed

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience working with technical fabrics and various types of bonding methodologies. Beta Cloth, leather, Ultraleather, natural fabrics
• Experience in seam sealing using an industrial hot air sealing machine
• Experience in working to aerospace manufacturing specifications and quality standards
• A thorough understanding of inspection requirements, safety protocols, and soft goods repair and maintenance processes

Pay Range: California $18.38—$29.66 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package.

Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including:

• medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
• generous paid time off
• up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually
• paid parental leave
• short and long-term disability insurance
• life insurance
• access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• ClassPass credits
• personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health
• other discounts and perks
• exceptional food perks, with snacks
• drip coffee & onsite barista
• cold drinks
• dinner meals remaining free of charge
• lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast 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.