Job Description

Job Location: Wing Inflatables Arcata - Arcata, CA 95521,

Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School,

Salary Range: $18.50 - $18.50 Hourly,

Travel Percentage: None,

Job Shift: Day,

Job Category: Manufacturing, Description

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 looking for Welding Trainees to support the manufacturing of inflatable rescue boats, inflatable marine products, and other technical and mission-critical products through Hot Air welding operations.

Successful candidates are dependable, detail-oriented, safety-focused, and committed to producing high-quality work. Associates must be able to follow established work instructions, product specifications, and production procedures with precision while understanding the importance of quality, traceability, safety, and compliance in a manufacturing environment.

POSITION PURPOSE

This position is a craftsperson who, based on engineering drawings and blueprints, builds the rafts and sponsons to customer specifications, managing to quality standards and customer-expected ship dates throughout the process. Glues and bonds materials, measures and creates layout of accessory placements, applies coatings and custom logos. Advanced finishers may be asked to handle training or travel to complete offsite installations or repair work.

ORGANIZATION FIT

This position reports to the Production Supervisor and receives daily guidance, work instructions, training, and performance feedback from production supervisors

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Level 1

Understands mixing and application process for glue. Understands mixing and application process for glue. Understands how to perform a Baffle test. Understands processes for bonding attachments, accessories, and chafe. Understands splicing techniques and lifeline installation.

• Mixes and applies glue.
• Applies adhesive to surface of material by brushing, and or rolling.
• Bonds glued materials together manually to air holding or foam-air sponsons. Presses material with hand roller, or hand held modified paint scraper. Uses hot air gun to heat material and glue to activate glue. Uses heavy duty scissors to trim fabric to fit.
• Perform Baffle test on sponsons
• Splice lifelines to a sponson or hybrid
• Performs assembly of pre-glued materials to sponson surface.
• Cleans finished products. Assists in packaging finished products.
• Monitors quality of build through completion of general quality control checklists
• Properly inspect completed work and identify common defects.
• Demonstrate basic competency working on inflatable rescue boat components.
• Maintain accurate production and material records.
• Demonstrate safe equipment operation and proper material handling.
• Perform routine cleaning and basic maintenance correctly.
• Properly identify and communicate equipment, material, production, and quality concerns.
• Maintain strong safety, attendance, quality, and productivity performance.
• Demonstrate initiative in learning additional products, operations, tooling, and equipment.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Performs all safety checks and use PPE as required

SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS OR WORKING CONDITIONS (Additional physical requirements are on Physical Requirements Form)

• The position works in a safety-conscious production environment; must be 18 years or older
• Must be able to bend and maneuver in tight spaces, crawl/kneel/stoop on a daily basis
• Frequent standing, walking, using hands to finger, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling and occasionally lift and or move up to 90 lbs.
• Regularly required to feel and reach with hands and arms; moving sheaths over foam using shoulders and arms in a side pulling motion.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently exposed to airborne particles and fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals. Noise level is moderate. Is required to wear a half-mask respirator when working with wet chemicals
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and very moderate risk of electrical shock.
• Month 1 – Introduction and Basic Training
• Introduction to company policies, safety procedures, PPE requirements, production processes, and quality expectations.
• Introduction to bonding equipment and safe operation.
• Training on coated fabrics, technical textiles, inflatable materials, reinforcement materials, and other applicable product materials.
• Training on basic operations used on inflatable rescue boats, and related products.
• Introduction to machines, tooling, work instructions, production documentation, inspection requirements, and defect identification.
• Begin supervised operations on basic components.
• Month 2 – Skill Development
• Perform basic operations with increased independence.
• Develop consistency in material placement, alignment, weld quality, machine operation, and material handling.
• Perform basic visual inspections and applicable product testing.
• Increase understanding of raw material management and production documentation.
• Learn routine equipment cleaning and basic operator maintenance.
• Begin working on additional components or inflatable rescue boat operations based on demonstrated ability.
• Month 3 – Independent Work and Assessment
• Perform assigned basic operations with reduced direct supervision.
• Demonstrate consistent adherence to work instructions, machine, product specifications, quality requirements, and safety procedures.
• Accurately complete required production records.
• Demonstrate acceptable workmanship on flotation and inflatable product components.
• Participate in feedback sessions with the Lead or Production Supervisor.
• Demonstrate readiness for regular independent production work.

Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Basic manufacturing, welding, heat-sealing, inflatable fabrication, or similar equipment experience preferred but not required.
• Ability and willingness to learn welding machinery and production processes.
• Ability to learn materials and processes used in inflatable rescue boats, and inflatable marine products.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow work instructions, specifications, and production procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to accurately complete required production documentation.
• Ability to recognize and report visible defects or abnormalities.
• Ability to perform repetitive production tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to adapt to changing production requirements.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• An acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to use tools including rollers, heat guns and other powered / manual hand tools
• Strong professional; work ethic, deadline driven and quality conscious.
• Punctual and regular attendance; willingness to work OT; schedules off time in advance whenever possible

EDUCATION AND FORMAL TRAINING

Required

High School Diploma or equivalent, or combination of relevant work/school.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Required

• Effective and professional relationships with co-workers within immediate work group, outside the immediate department.
• Effective and productive communications skills; speaks well, communicates ideas clearly. Is approachable and open to discussion.
• Conducts self in a professional manner at all times. Treats others with respect at all times. Does not tolerate discrimination based on race, gender, religion, ethnic background, or national origin. Shares knowledge with others
• Manages multiple priorities professionally with minimum disruption to others. Organized and proactively manages environment. Responds to unexpected challenges successfully without losing track of daily responsibilities. Prioritizes workload in order of importance. Reliably follows through with job assignments.
• Learns, applies and retains new methods and information. Creative in solving problems. Exhibits a “can do” attitude with a positive approach to challenges. Views obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow.

Qualifications

Wing Group is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, reproductive health decision-making, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.

Wing Group provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, and for pregnancy-related conditions and religious beliefs or practices, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. To request an accommodation during the application process or on the job, contact People & Culture at 707 713-1342 or knewby@winggroup.com.