Solar Array Technician – Industrial Sewing

Apex - Spacecraft Manufacturing; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

100% paid medical, dental, and vision

15+ days paid vacation

Competitive 401(k) matching

Parental leave and childcare reimbursement

Catered daily lunch

Monthly social gatherings

Flexible work environment

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturing company in Los Angeles seeks an Industrial Sewing Technician to fabricate and finish solar array blankets essential for satellite bus production. Candidates should have over 3 years of precision sewing experience, ideally with technical textiles, and be proficient in operating industrial sewing machines. Cleanroom experience is preferred. This role offers excellent benefits, including fully covered healthcare, equity options, and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of industrial or precision sewing experience.
• Proficiency with industrial sewing machines for technical fabrics.
• Cleanroom experience or knowledge of FOD prevention protocols.
• Cleanroom experience or knowledge of cleanroom and FOD prevention.
• Strong hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for precision sewing and finishing.
• Good computer skills for digital work instructions and production documentation.

Responsibilities

• Operate industrial sewing machines for satellite bus production.
• Cut and form blanket materials to specified dimensions.
• Maintain cleanroom protocols during fabrication activities.
• Perform post-lamination blanket fabrication operations including seaming, stitching, and protective cover installation.
• Inspect stitching quality, seam integrity, and dimensional accuracy against acceptance criteria.
• Handle ultra-thin glass, silicon substrates, and laminated solar array panels with care to prevent damage.
• Maintain cleanroom protocols and FOD prevention throughout all sewing and blanket fabrication activities.
• Document fabrication activities, non-conformances, and rework in production records.
• Use production software and digital work instruction systems accurately.
• Support the development and maintenance of assembly procedures, work instructions, and quality documentation
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of assembly and integration processes, recommending and implementing efficiency enhancements and quality improvements

Skills

Industrial sewing

Precision sewing

Cleanroom protocols

Team collaboration

Technical textile handling

Attention to detail

Tools

Sewing machines

Job description

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge.

For the first time in history, this influx of payload companies combined with reduced launch costs has resulted in a massive increase in need for commercial spacecraft platforms, known as satellite buses. These buses hold the payloads of our customers and are flown on launch vehicles.

Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more.

We’d love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About The Role

Apex Space is seeking an Industrial Sewing Technician to fabricate and finish solar array blankets and thermal insulation assemblies for our satellite bus production line. Following lamination, solar array blankets require precision sewing and finishing to achieve the dimensional, structural, and cleanliness requirements for spaceflight. Your craftsmanship directly contributes to the thermal and mechanical protection of our spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Operate industrial sewing machines to stitch, seam, and finish solar array blankets and MLI insulation assemblies per engineering drawings and sewing procedures.
• Cut, trim, and form blanket materials including Kapton, beta cloth, Mylar, and woven insulation layers to specified dimensions.
• Install edge binding, attachment points, hook-and-loop fasteners, and grommets on solar array blanket assemblies.
• Perform post-lamination blanket fabrication operations including seaming, stitching, and protective cover installation.
• Inspect stitching quality, seam integrity, and dimensional accuracy against acceptance criteria.
• Handle ultra-thin glass, silicon substrates, and laminated solar array panels with care to prevent damage.
• Maintain cleanroom protocols and FOD prevention throughout all sewing and blanket fabrication activities.
• Document fabrication activities, non-conformances, and rework in production records.
• Use production software and digital work instruction systems accurately.
• Support the development and maintenance of assembly procedures, work instructions, and quality documentation
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of assembly and integration processes, recommending and implementing efficiency enhancements and quality improvements
  
  

Requirements

• U.S. Person status required (export-controlled data).
• 3+ years of industrial or precision sewing experience, ideally with technical textiles or specialty materials.
• Proficiency operating industrial sewing machines for seaming, stitching, and edge finishing of technical fabrics.
• Experience cutting and forming lightweight, delicate, or layered materials to tight dimensional tolerances.
• Demonstrated ability to handle fragile substrates (thin film, laminated composites, glass, silicon) without damage.
• Exceptional hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity for precision sewing and finishing operations.
• Cleanroom experience or solid working knowledge of cleanroom and FOD prevention protocols.
• Basic material handling knowledge for delicate and layered textile and film assemblies.
• Good computer skills for digital work instructions and production documentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborating with engineers and technicians
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical information to team members and stakeholders
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience sewing or fabricating MLI blankets, thermal insulation assemblies, or aerospace soft goods.
• Prior experience in a solar array, photovoltaic, or spacecraft manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Kapton, beta cloth, or Mylar material properties and handling requirements.
• Familiarity with NASA workmanship standards for thermal blanket fabrication.
• IPC-A-620 certification
  
  

Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup backed by $200M in Series D funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer For Full-time Employees

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create
• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost
• Comprehensive PTO package to reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
• Competitive 401(k) plan with generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%
• 8 weeks paid parental leave plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks to keep you fueled throughout the day
• Vibrant community: Monthly office BBQs, pickleball tournaments, run club, and social gatherings for you and your family
• Your dream desk setup and all the tools you need to be your most productive self
• World-class Playa Vista office with EV chargers, with the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life
• Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting-edge industries to make a lasting difference
  
  

Ready to join a team where your contributions matter and your future is bright? Let's build something extraordinary together.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, 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.