Job Title: Production Assistant – Fabric Technician
Employment Status: Full-Time
Salary: $25- $31 p/h
A Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation employer partner is seeking a Production Assistant – Fabric Technician to join their team. We are a Brooklyn-based lighting studio specializing in handmade fixtures for luxury interiors. Our work blends traditional craft and modern design — each piece is fabricated in-house by our small, skilled team. We’re known for our attention to detail, thoughtful materials, and the tactile quality of everything we make.
About the Role:
We’re looking for a Production Assistant / Fabric Technician to take ownership of the fabric portion of our production process — creating custom lampshades and diffusers in a range of shapes, materials, and scales. You’ll work with fabric, adhesive, and metal frames, producing shades that meet our precise aesthetic and quality standards. This is a hands-on craft role — ideal for someone who loves materials, problem-solving, and iterative design. You’ll collaborate closely with our production and design teams to refine methods and occasionally help document or train others as our studio grows.
What You’ll Do:
● Fabricate lampshades and diffusers from start to finish — cutting, stretching, gluing, trimming, and finishing.
● Interpret spec sheets, templates, and sample references to ensure consistency.
● Troubleshoot material challenges (wrinkling, stretch, alignment, seams, etc.) with creative, solution-oriented thinking.
● Maintain and improve documentation of processes (notes, photos, templates).
● Collaborate with the production team to plan project timelines and ensure deadlines are met.
● Occasionally assist with training new production assistants on basic fabric work.
What We’re Looking For:
● Experience: 3+ years in a related hands-on fabrication field — such as lampshade making, upholstery, soft goods fabrication, scenic or prop work, or textile art.
● Skills: Excellent hand skills and spatial reasoning; a keen eye for alignment, proportion, and finish quality.
● Mindset: Curious, careful, and proactive — someone who doesn’t just follow steps but understands why.
● Work style: Organized, communicative, and comfortable in a collaborative small-team environment.
Bonus Skills:
● Familiarity with lighting fabrication, adhesives, or pattern drafting.
● Comfort working from jigs, templates, or mockups.
● Interest in improving or systematizing studio processes.
Compensation & Benefits:
● Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience (approx. $25–$31/hour)
● Full-time schedule, Monday–Friday
● Paid time off and holidays
● Growth potential as we expand our fabrication capabilities