Industrial Sewing Machine Mechanic I

WHO WE ARE

The Wing Group is a global leader in engineered solutions for demanding environments, bringing together a portfolio of trusted brands including Wing Inflatables, Mustang Survival, Henshaw Inflatables, Patten Company, and FabTek Industries. Across defense, marine safety, law enforcement, and industrial sectors, we design and manufacture mission-critical inflatable, flotation, and survival solutions that professionals trust to perform when it matters most.

From combat-ready rigid inflatable boats and inflatable structures to life-saving flotation devices and marine apparel, our products are engineered and tested to exceed the highest standards of safety, durability, and performance. With U.S. and Canadian-based manufacturing and a collaborative, hands-on culture, The Wing Group delivers purpose-built solutions for the world’s toughest environments. Join us in advancing safety, performance, and innovation—on the water and beyond.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking Industrial Sewing Machine Mechanics at Levels I, II, and III to install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and support industrial sewing machines and automated sewing systems. This position supports internal manufacturing teams and, as assigned, customers, distributors, and field personnel. Progression is based on demonstrated technical proficiency, independence, complexity of assignments, and training/lead-backup capability—not tenure alone.

The Pre-Production Assembly Associate career path is structured into three progressive levels. Level I focuses on learning foundational kitting, staging, inspection, and material-handling processes. Level II focuses on independent preparation, production coordination, inventory support, and routine problem-solving. Level III represents advanced proficiency, complex production preparation, workflow coordination, training, discrepancy resolution, and continuous improvement.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer a competitive salary depending on the experience level of the candidate. Additionally, we offer extended health and dental benefits, 401K with employer matching, and industry perks. The final agreed upon salary may vary based on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

PROGRESSIVE LEVELS

INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE MECHANIC I — ENTRY / DEVELOPING

Job Purpose

Under guidance, performs routine inspections, basic maintenance, and straightforward repairs while learning safe diagnosis and documentation.

Primary Responsibilities

Technical Service & Troubleshooting

• Perform scheduled cleaning, lubrication, inspections, and basic adjustments under supervision.
• Identify common needle, thread, tension, feed, and stitch-quality problems; escalate complex faults.
• Assist with replacing approved wear parts and verifying safe machine operation after service.

Installation & Equipment Setup

• Assist with positioning, setup, testing, and startup of industrial sewing equipment.
• Learn electrical, pneumatic, guarding, and lockout/tagout requirements before work.

Programmable Equipment

• Learn basic machine controls, parameters, error messages, and approved program selection.
• Support tests using specified needles, thread, fabric, attachments, and fixtures.

Training & Documentation

• Record work orders, parts used, and findings in MaintainX or designated system.
• Follow service manuals and receive coaching from senior mechanics; explain basic operator care.

Requirements / Competencies

• High school diploma/GED preferred; vocational training or relevant hands-on experience helpful.
• Foundational mechanical aptitude and ability to use hand tools safely.
• Ability to read basic work instructions and learn diagrams, manuals, and machine terminology.
• Dependability, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.

Orientation Period — Three Months

• Month 1: Safety, machine identification, tools, basic inspection, and preventive maintenance.
• Month 2: Supervised fault identification, adjustments, parts replacement, and service records.
• Month 3: Demonstrate safe, repeatable completion of foundational tasks and receive competency assessment.

Promotion Readiness — Level I to Level II

• Consistently meets safety, quality, reliability, and service-documentation expectations.
• Demonstrates the next level’s technical scope and independence through observed work and competency review.
• Performs common repairs without routine direct supervision.
• Correctly escalates unfamiliar electrical or control-system faults.

INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE MECHANIC II — SKILLED / INDEPENDENT

Job Purpose

Independently diagnoses and repairs common mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and electronic equipment faults; supports production uptime and routine installation.

Primary Responsibilities

Technical Service & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and repair common failures involving motors, sensors, solenoids, wiring, feed mechanisms, and pneumatic components.
• Complete preventive maintenance, adjustments, component replacement, and post-repair sewing-quality verification independently.
• Determine likely root causes of recurring failures and communicate corrective actions.

Installation & Equipment Setup

• Install and calibrate standard industrial sewing machines and verify safe operating conditions.
• Run application tests with production materials and assist with integrating machines into production flow.

Programmable Equipment

• Adjust approved parameters and modify or test established electronic sewing programs within authorization.
• Troubleshoot routine error codes and machine-control issues; support tooling and clamp adjustments.

Training & Documentation

• Train operators and leads on proper setup, routine care, and first-level troubleshooting.
• Maintain complete MaintainX records, service history, and parts usage; escalate complex issues.

Requirements / Competencies

• Demonstrated independent industrial sewing machine or comparable electromechanical repair experience.
• Ability to interpret wiring diagrams, parts manuals, and equipment technical instructions.
• Proficient use of diagnostic tools, mechanical/electrical service equipment, and safe work practices.
• Effective communication with production, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams.

Orientation Period — Three Months

• Month 1: Validate Level I skills, standard equipment diagnostics, and repair practices.
• Month 2: Independently complete routine repairs, installation tasks, and operator support.
• Month 3: Demonstrate consistent quality, documentation, and production-response performance.

Promotion Readiness — Level II to Level III

• Consistently meets safety, quality, reliability, and service-documentation expectations.
• Demonstrates the next level’s technical scope and independence through observed work and competency review.
• Resolves complex faults and supports automation or program troubleshooting.
• Can train others and support lead responsibilities during the lead’s absence.

INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINE MECHANIC III — ADVANCED / TECHNICAL LEAD BACKUP

Job Purpose

Serves as the advanced technical resource for complex systems, automation, training, and reliability improvement; can support or run the maintenance function during the lead’s absence as assigned.

Primary Responsibilities

Advanced Technical Service

• Diagnose intermittent or complex electrical, electronic, pneumatic, mechanical, and software-related failures.
• Lead root-cause analysis of recurring downtime; recommend durable corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide advanced remote or on-site support to internal teams, customers, distributors, and technicians as assigned.

Installation & Automation

• Lead commissioning, calibration, and production startup for automated, programmable, and bridge-type sewing systems.
• Create, modify, optimize, and validate sewing programs, fixtures, clamps, templates, and machine parameters.
• Partner with engineering and operations on automation upgrades, machine selection, and process improvement.

Technical Leadership & Training

• Train and mentor Levels I–II, leads, and end users on diagnostics, programming, safe maintenance, and repair.
• Serve as designated backup to the technical/maintenance lead, coordinating priorities and supporting team workflow during absences.

Documentation & Improvement

• Analyze MaintainX service trends and develop troubleshooting guides, maintenance standards, and technical procedures.
• Communicate recurring technical risks and recommended improvements to management and engineering.

Requirements / Competencies

• Advanced proficiency with industrial sewing machinery, control systems, and programmable equipment.
• Demonstrated success resolving complex faults and leading commissioning or improvement projects.
• Ability to interpret complex schematics, manuals, and technical bulletins.
• Demonstrated coaching, technical leadership, prioritization, and lead-backup capability.

Orientation Period — Three Months

• Month 1: Validate advanced diagnostics, programmable equipment, and safety proficiency.
• Month 2: Lead complex repairs, mentor others, and coordinate cross-functional technical work.
• Month 3: Demonstrate advanced technical ownership, lead-backup readiness, and improvement capability.